X-men: Messiah Complex One-shot Review
Author: Ed Brubaker
Penciler: Marc Silvestri
Inkers: Joe Weems & Marco Galli
Covers: David Finch & Marc Silvestri
I was debating whether I should review the book or just talk about it during the podcast. Since it is a big event and we usually talk about those on the podcast. Then I said screw it. I haven't been this excited about an X-men event in years.
The plot is simple enough. No new mutants have been born since M-day and their numbers seem to be dwindling. Out of nowhere Professor X senses the birth of a new mutant and sends Cyclops, Emma Frost, Wolverine, Angel (huh?), and Nightcrawler out to see about this new mutant. Whether it's to kidnap the kid or to just check on it is still up in the air with me, because of that Sinister grim Proff X has across his face. Instead of a small town in Alaska, they find a warzone with some casualties including Blockbuster and Prism (Damn, we didn't even get to see him shattered this time)! It seems that the Purifiers and the Marauders were both after the kid as well. Who would have thought that the Purifiers would have a better device than Cerebra and the most powerful mind in the world? So they have a fight with some civilians caught in the middle of it and the X-men are off to find Sinister and this baby. In the mists of the battle a new predator appears...one that could be the biggest threat to all mutant kind. We'll call it: Predator X!!! I thought Liefeld had this idea with his X-force mini-series, funny when he tries something he's just a hack, but when it’s Yost and Kyle behind this idea, it's pure genius.
Sure Predator X seems like a lame idea (even though Mammomax sucked), but I'm still excited about this crossover. And poor Blockbuster however will he come back to life now? Oh wait, Sinister still has everyone's DNA. Will that work since M-day though? Could he successfully clone a mutant? Why am I talking to myself? The story was entertaining enough. We really don't see the X-men do much, but run around looking for this mutant baby. I had no clue that Angel was back on the team. Did I miss a book? We get the point that the baby is very important to find specially if he is in the hands of Sinister. What the hell was the point of Endangered Species? I thought that mini-crossover was used to lead into this big story, but Beast never once mentions his adventure running around trying to find a solution....ohh well. Seems that Bru read some old Claremont issues and is now starting to use some of the accents and dialogues that are a trademark of those characters. Which made Wolverine calling Nightcrawler Elf and Cyclops Slim seem a little forced. What can I say about Silvestri? Other than his art is fucking fantastic! He is my favorite artist and always has been. It seems that Weems and Galli kept his style looking old school, by just going over his pencils instead of cleaning up his sketchy style. Reminds me of his work from the early 90's which to me is still his best stuff out. In other words, Marc come back and do x-men as a regular gig.
Not a bad start for a long crossover. I can't wait till the Acolytes/Marauders have a rematch with the X-men. Hell might as well invite Apocalypse, Stryfe, MLF, the Nasty Boys, and the Reavers for some of this action too. I am very excited for this crossover and cannot wait to read the next chapter. B+
I hate to admit I actually liked this.
Does Silvestri have a background artist in this? I think he did in that Initiative One-Shot.
I would have liked more action too, esp with Silvestri doing the pencils, oh well pretty good I guess.