World Famous Comics: Astonishing X-Men Vol. 1: Gifted
Astonishing X-Men Vol. 1: Gifted
By: Joss Whedon, John Cassaday Publisher: Marvel Comics Average Rating: Binding: Paperback Label: Marvel Comics Number of Items: 1 Number of Pages: 152 Publication Date: December 29, 2004 Reading Level: Young Adult
Product Description: Dream-team creators Joss Whedon (TV's Buffy the Vampire Slayer) and John Cassaday (Planetary, Captain America) present the explosive, all-new flagship X-Men series - marking a return to classic greatness and the beginning of a brand-new era for the X-Men! Cyclops and Emma Frost re-form the X-Men with the express purpose of "astonishing" the world. But when breaking news regarding the mutant gene unexpectedly hits the airwaves, will it derail their new plans before they even get started? As demand for the "mutant cure" reaches near-riot levels, the X-Men go head-to-head with the enigmatic Ord, with an unexpected ally - and some unexpected adversaries - tipping the scales! Collects Astonishing X-Men #1-6.
Let me start with a partial list of things I know nothing about, and in some cases never even heard of before:
* X-Men * Comics about anything at all * Graphic novels * Joss Whedon's writing; John Cassaday's artwork * Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel and Firefly
This volume of Astonishing X-men, 2: Gifted (Astonishing X-Men) came my way and I thought, why not? Halfway through the book, I realized that I just wasn't getting it. I decided that if eleven-year-old fanboys can "get" this stuff, so can I; so I started at the beginning again and fell right into the story. You have to start somewhere, don't you?
Other reviewers have done a terrifyingly thorough job with the history of this series as well as the plot of this particular volume. There's a lot of both here! Readers of this review will have to settle for a beginner's impressions.
This volume is the first six chapters of a multi-part series by the gifted team of Whedon and Cassaday. Whedon's writing surprised me with its complexity and humor. Since it's all dialogue, it has the same constraints as a play and it works very well. The characters are well-differentiated after one overcomes the complication of their multiple names, and there are flashbacks clarifying some of the story. The group has been re-formed after a devastating incident in the past; those in the know are delighted to have Kitty Pryde on board, all grown up and ready to flex her powers.
The art work? I can't begin to imagine how Cassaday illustrated this six-part volume in one lifetime. I'd love to watch him draw! The expressiveness of the characters, the complexity of the backgrounds blew me away. This art form is something I've lived without for too long. I want more!
As for the plot, and I HOPE there are no spoilers here ... The X-Men are mutants and their relationship with un-mutated humans is uneasy. They want to use their super-powers for the good of the world. There is the hope ... or possibly the threat ... of a cure for their mutation, and its siren song calls to one of the group. This causes trouble in X-land! Another element of the story, which is apparently common in super-hero comic series, is the return from the dead of at least one key character. There are scenes of real sentiment, and flashes of humor that had me laughing out loud.
The relationships are as complicated as in any soap opera and this no doubt offers a sense of continuity to readers familiar with the series (comics, TV, movies, who knew?). The beginner is slightly challenged by all this history and I notice with pleasure that the next two volumes begin with a page of text labeled PREVIOUSLY; this should help me out as I pursue my "fangirl" career.
While I acknowledge that the failing is probably my own, I did take one star off for the lack of an introduction. A page of text could have provided a helpful orientation to beginners, if there are any others out there. Apologies for that to all readers who think it would have been lame and unnecessary...
Many thanks to the friend who sent this to me. It's fun to try something new and this X-Men comic has been a real treat. If it's new to you too -- jump right in, you might love it!
Linda Bulger, 2008
This is What The "X-Men" Are All About Cyclops, Beast, Emma Frost, Kitty Pryde, and Wolverine. these are the Astonishing X-Men, set out to protect the very people that hate them, and now someone has found a "Cure" for the mutation chromosome people are calling a "disease".This is one of the greatest X-men Franchises ever. Whedon's story-telling is amazing while Cassaday's art is some of the best I have seen. from what i hear, the rest of the series is equally amazing.
A rehash of the Claremont/Bryne years From the beginning, to the end of his run, Whedon treats all the characters, with the exceptions of Cyclops and Colossus, exactly as they were in the 70s. It's as if he wants to write about the heroes he grew up with, and wants to ignore all the character growth that occurred in the last few decades. Wolverine is nothing more than a smartass who drinks beer. Emma Frost is a royal witch, Kitty Pride is still unsure and scared and amatuerish, despite her having been a SHIELD agent, hopped around the world with Wolverine, and kicked butt with the best of'em. Beast is more or less his at first bouncy beastly self, and then switches to his morose, self loathing, insecure self. Colossus is brought back from the dead (guess no x-men can stay dead), and Cyclops is treated like a leader with ability, not just a 2 dimensional jackass.
I hate the way Whedon cops out on all the villians he creates, and how their abilities exist. "It's alien! It's super science!". "Died? Oh we can bring you back. Shot into space without a suit? We can bring you back. Living computers? Shiar did it!"
I was particularly disappointed with his lack of ignoring not just X-men Continuity/Growth, but also ignores what SHIELD is for. Fury's response to the Genosha incident with the super sentinels with "It wasn't US territory". So I guess being UN Sanctioned in the first place sorta doesn't matter anymore.
Hack writing, lackluster fights, and occasional witty dialog (though out of character in many cases). It's mostly the same campy humor of Buffy the vampire slayer. Hit or miss, sight gags, 'omg that's embarrassing' moments.
It did have some outstanding visuals though. And the binding wasn't horrible. Whedon..please stick to ripping off Sci-Fi Anime and writing teen dramas.
It sucks that Whedon can't keep writing this title I've been reading the x-men since the 70s and Whedon's writing is probably the best and he has the perfect compliment in John Cassaday. Joss Whedon's scripting and dialogue is sparse but it takes advantage of the various character's history with each other. Reading the comic is fun and satisfying. I was a big fan of buffy due to Whedon's ability to flesh out ordinary characters with silly, witty dialogue that made the high drama fun. He has done the same with the x-men.
Kudos for Kitty! I bought this, and Vol. 2, on a whim. Iron Man reminded me of my high school indulgences into the Marvel universe (although they were limited at the time to what I could borrow from my well-(comic)-read friends), so I sifted through some Amazon collections and picked a few that looked interesting to entertain my nostalgia.
I totally lucked out with this series-- I cannot wait for the 4th volume to come out this summer! They are brilliantly written and super pretty. See, I remember being a little disappointed by the kind of sub-par dialogue and storylines featured in the 1980s comics I was reading (picked up at Half-Price Books, no doubt). I wanted a marriage of engaging, quasi-believable adventures and solid, endearing character development, right? Didn't find it there, but these blew me away. :) Somehow, Mr. Whedon managed to write simultaneously campy, witty, clever, and hilarious dialogue. This is what comic books should be! You'll love it, I promise.
Also... I am a super fan of Kitty Pryde, and this is a great series for her. Hoorah for writers who appreciate Kitty! She plays a featured role, *and* she's totally adorable, *and* I wish I had her hair!
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