Product Description: The biggest event to hit the X-Men in ten years is here! Just when it looked like there was no possibility of a future for mutants, hope arrives. But the X-Men aren't there to meet it - The Marauders and Purifiers beat them to it. Now the race is on to get the first new mutant since House of M! Collects X-Men: Messiah Complex One-Shot, Uncanny X-Men #492-494, X-Men #205-207, New X-Men #44-46, and X-Factor #25-27
A thousand ways to go... The Messiah Complex story arc is, undoubtably, one of the best arcs in the recent history of the X-Men. It has a good stpry, well done characterization, and gives, as its ultimate reward, a thousand ways in which the titles involved can be taken from here on. It only has two flaws: 1) the artwork for the New X-Men is fairly awful, and in a related note, the constantt title (and thus, artist) swwitches causes the art to be jumpy, with the same character (notably Butterfly aka Lyla Miller) being drawn with radical differences,and 2)a slightly rushed story. There is a related note: you have to reallize most of the characters who die are going to be resurrected. Altogether, though, a strong story.
no spoilers: REALLY that was worth it! I loved it! The art is so cool the story is complex, cool idea AWESOME I cant say anymore...Lots of fighting and coolness!
Fantastic I really can't believe just how long it has been since there was a mega X-Men crossover. Back when Marvel had ump-teen X-titles, X-Men crossovers happened just about every few months it seemed; with a majority of which not fulfilling any promises of changing any status quos, or really amounting to much of anything in general. Well, things have changed apparently. X-Men: Messiah Complex is undoubtedly the best X-Men story you will read that doesn't have the names "Morrison" or "Whedon" attached to it, and it is undoubtedly the best X-Men crossover event since...well, maybe ever. Spanning over X-titles including Uncanny X-Men, X-Men, X-Factor, and New X-Men; Messiah Complex finds Cyclops, Wolverine and co. tracking a baby. This baby is the first new mutant baby since the events of House of M, and everyone is after the child. From Mr. Sinister and his crew of Marauders, to the mutant murdering Purifiers, to the warrior from the future Cable, and some surprises in between. Yes, there are events that take place in Messiah Complex that you WILL NOT see coming, and by the time this hardcover collection comes to an end, the status quo of many will have changed. Featuring a bevy of talent behind it, including writers Ed Brubaker (Captain America, Daredevil), Mike Carey (Hellblazer, Ultimate Fantastic Four), Craig Kyle & Chris Yost (X-23), and the great Peter David (Incredible Hulk); as well as artists Billy Tan, Chris Bachalo, Humberto Ramos, Scot Eaton, and legendary X-Men artist Marc Silvestri; Messiah Complex is a blast. If there are any downsides to Messiah Complex, and this is purely personal, the artwork of veteran X-artists Chris Bachalo and Humberto Ramos doesn't match up to the rest of the art here, and comes off as cartoony. Despite that one flaw, the rest of Messiah Complex is a fantastic X-Men event that does not disappoint one bit, and only promises for more intriguing developments to come.
Spoiler Free Review As there are a large amount of twists and turns throughout Messiah Complex I thought it important to provide readers with a spoiler free review.
First and foremost Messiah Complex is the best X-Over in years if not ever, and easily more than the sum of its separate parts (X-men, X-Factor, New X-Men, and Uncanny X-Men). The story revolves around the first birth of a mutant child since the events of M-Day and the ensuing rush to protect/destroy it. Aside from that not much can be said without spoiling but the story is filled with action and a huge cast of characters. The baby is constantly switching hands and each page keeps you anticipating the next.
The writing throughout the book is amazing, particularly in those issues by Mike Carey. It should be noted that Ed Brubaker, whose writing on X-Men has lead to some criticisms, really steps up here and produces his best X-related work so far. Kyle, Yost, and David all shine through as well keeping the characters they've established so well perfectly defined.
The art is probably what most divides the book. It begins with a classic, Marc Silvestri, followed by Billy Tan who has a rather similar style. Scot Eaton's style follows a similar tone, particularly with the same colorist, but doesn't seem to hit on the same level and is most likely the weakest in the book. Humberto Ramos cartoony style works well for the over-the-top action which make up the majority of his issues and so it works rather well, but it does stand out when compared to the previous artists. The true standout art in the collection though comes from Chris Bachalo. His style seems darker and more manga inspired and really shines through in the actions sequences and splash panels and really sets the story apart.
As for the collection itself, Marvel hardcovers are of some of the best quality around. The colors pop, the binding is strong, and several extras are included. There are variant covers for each comic the back as well as sketches and notes from the creative summit. There are also files which contain a brief summary of each party involved in the main story. None of the extras are necessary to enjoying the story but they are worth a glance and over 30 pages of extra material is more than commonly provided and really wraps up the package nicely.
All in all 40 dollars is quite a heavy price tag, but when you consider the sheer number of creators that were involved so heavily with the stories inception it only makes sense and Messiah Complex is definitely worth the purchase.
(Also recommended: X-Men: Blinded by the Light and House of M prior to reading though neither is required)
Quite Possibly the Best X-Men Story of All Time The "Mutant Massacre" story is the only X-Men title that may even hold a candle to the "Messiah CompleX". We have it all here, folks! Destruction! Death! Lies! Betrayal! Compassion! Sadness! Action! Loyalty! Basically everything you could ever want in a comic masterpiece. Oh, and did I forget to mention the birth of the first mutant since M-Day? All of the story lines are great, and the only art that wasn't really to my taste was some of the stuff from New X-Men. For the quality of entertainment that you will get out of this series, the price is well worth it. Just one question for anyone out there. Can Sinister really be dead? I hope not. He may be one of the best of the detestable ever created. Peace and Love,Jake.
Anything Goes Trivia
Trevor
Megaton Man
