Astonishing X-men # 15
Author: Joss Whedon
Artist: John Cassaday
Cover: John Cassaday
I love Whedon. I don't think I laugh out loud while reading a title as much as I do while reading Astonishing X-Men. He has this intricate plot going that keeps you guessing as to Emma's motives, but throws in humor at the turn of the page, which keeps you wanting to read as well. For example, when last we saw Wolvie he was with Cassandra Nova, and returning to his bit a couple of pages later he starts his famous catch phrase, "I'm the best at what I do. And what I do is…" But the next page shows him stating, "is so terribly pretty!" while cutting out paper dolls. Cassaday did a fine job of portraying Logan as a young British school girl. Yes, not only does he go girly, but Whedon added in the nice touch of an accent.
Every turn of the page brings something great. You're never bored or just coasting through. Characters aren't forgotten either. The young girl who trained with Wolverine (and was almost killed by him) who has the mutant ability to create a force field bubble suit gets to save his butt this time by fending off Beast. Rasputin gets a great fight scene with Shaw who antagonizes him so that he will be able to use all of the kinetic energy against him in the end. I forgot that was his power…, so I was so rooting for Colossus, who forgot that was his power as well, so the whole fight ended up being a surprise for me.
I love the paneling set up in all of the issues. Very simple format, with whole pages devoted to facial expressions (which Cassaday is so great at!) that tell more of a story and what's going on with a character than a lot of comics tell in three pages.
Finally, the ending is a wonderful cliff hanger. I'm so glad Whedon brought the story back to Pryde, who started the whole Astonishing run with "Professor Xavier is a jerk!" Not only are things being told through Emma's point of view, but also through Kitty's, and this is something Whedon does very well: write strong female characters. (I can't wait for his Wonder Woman movie!) I've always liked Kitty, but now she is definitely one of my favorites. I love Wolvie, but I'm awfully glad he isn't the main focus.
Speaking of which,… Whedon seems to have made a homage to Uncanny X-Men #132 with the ending of this issue. In #132, Harry Leland increases Wolverine's weight and makes him fall through the floors of the Hellfire Club Mansion, and he ends up in the sewer below. He is the only one in the next issue who can fight the Hellfire Club (the name of the group Emma's in right now in Astonishing; just gots some new members). He turns around and says, "Now it's my turn." Kitty does the exact same thing in Astonishing; she even strikes the exact same pose. It's so perfect; I love it! X-Men #133 was the turning point for Wolverine becoming ever so popular…wait, notice how I get his accent from this issue of Astonishing when I talk about him?… ;) Anyway, hopefully this will do the same for Kitty Pryde, 'cause she deserves it! A+
Finished this last night, as usual Whedon's writing left me wanting more and Cassaday's artwork really lends to the storytelling. One thing I never knew though was that Cyclops could actually control his power without the visor but chose not to.
I loved this issue as well, I can't wait for more of this. Coming out once every two months is just playing with our heads. I love the way that Whedon and Cassaday show Kitty's face when she knows Emma is up to something. We don't need to know what Kitty is thinking, we can just tell by her expressions.
Ahhhh, good observation with Kitty... that's just simply... astounding.