Astonishing X-men 13 Review
Author: Joss Whedon
Artist: John Cassady
Colors: Laura Martin
Spoiler Free Review
Astonishing X-Men #13, after a few months break, has come back strong for the second arc of the story. The issue starts off with an explanation of how Emma Frost acquired her second mutation: a diamond shell that is impenetrable to attack. Great beginning that catches the attention, but, true to his form, Joss Whedon throws some humor into the mix with Wolverine and the remaining mutant students. Since this is a spoiler-free review, all I’ll say is it was some pretty nice fan service for those who love Wolverine and his patented “snikt” sound effect.
The Colossus and Kitty Pride side story is finally resolved and the romantic tension between the two is relieved. It’s actually pretty cute; the way Kitty sits in her room, too scared to talk to Colossus, reminds me of just the other day…, I mean, my days in high school!
Emma seems to be in cahoots with the new Hellfire Club, but she is hesitating and holding back. The new figure in the purple cloak (whose code name may be Perfection) knows something is up, even though Cassandra doesn’t. Emma’s relationship with Scott seems to be on the rocks (maybe because of what happened in House of M)? Regardless, by the end of the issue, the reader is still left clueless as to what Emma and the Hellfire Club has planned, and whether our frosty girl has turned to the dark side….again.
Cassady’s faces don’t seem to change that much, but that’s the only gripe I have about the art work. I think it was beautiful, and when a character did make a facial expression, it was just the right one. I suppose Emma’s was always blank because she is supposed to be calm/have internal turmoil type of deal. Wait, I do have another gripe. The face on the last page of a certain character (can’t spoil it) was a little odd,….she kinda looked like Cassandra more than anything. Oh well. I love his art anyway; the realism suits the story Whedon is creating.
I give it an A. Whedon loves these characters, and that really shows. And he knows how to keep you reading; leaving some mystery to what will happen.
Click here to read the review with spoilers.
I enjoyed it. However I have not read issues 1-12. I'll probably go ahead and pick up the Astonishing X-men Saga, which is a single book that covers the first arch. I really like how Wolverine lookes in this series, which is why I am hunting so hard for the Marvel Legends series 12 figure. I think that is the perfect Wolverine costume and the best figure of him I have seen yet.
I liked the panels of Kitty, seemed the most vibrant out of the issue.
I loved the scene with Wolverine in the Danger Room, that was classic.
Nice review, I love this series too. Good to see a girl finally take interest in some comics. and it's nice to see her voice her opinion in the podcast.
Thanks Justin! Yeah, it would be nice to have more girls to talk to about comics, but I've got my students and you guys, so I guess I'll live with it. :) Just kidding. Actually, when I do talk to other females, it's usually about manga, not comics. Manga seems to be the thing for girls, but I have seen a couple of students who I would expect to turn their noses up at comics reading Spider-Man in my classroom.