After a brief interlude with X Lives of Wolverine and X Deaths of Wolverine, the next phase of Marvel’s X-Men kicks off with Immortal X-Men #1. With Jonathan Hickman no longer guiding the direction, Destiny of X is a launching point to see where various creators can take the toys that Hickman set up over the previous few years. Immortal X-Men feels like the new “flagship” for the line taking over the role “Uncanny” held for decades with its focus on the Quiet Council and its heavy hitters. The focus isn’t just the latest threat to deal with but the grand direction for mutantkind impacting every other X-Men comic being released.
Writer Kieron Gillen returns to the X-Men after a memorable run on Uncanny X-Men. For those that read that, it should be no surprise the debut issue centers around Mr. Sinister who acts as our tour guide taking us through the politics and machinations of Krakoa and its ruling council.
Gillen continues to bring a bit of flair to Sinister who delivers ego, humor, and devious insight into the goings on. Sinister also seems to be at the center of what potentially could be major ramifications for mutantkind and Krakoa if he’s found out. But Gillen weaves back into history setting up a relationship between Sinister and Destiny which goes back a hundred years. There’s a great mix of sinister and humor to it all with political dancing that eventually flows into the action and reveal we all expect to come.
Gillen’s story is enhanced by the art of Lucas Werneck whose style is perfect for the tone of it all. Joined by David Curiel on color and lettering by Clayton Cowles, the comic’s imagery is as important as what is said. The body language of characters is key to Sinister’s comments and observations and we get an idea of some of what is getting him to come to his conclusions. There’s also Sinister himself whose body language is beyond comedic and lightens what could easily be a rather dour and serious debut. The characters look great and it really is the small details of all of the reactions that make the comic stand out. Sinister’s observations put them all in the spotlight and the art team pulls it off and then some.
Immortal X-Men #1 kicks things off setting the X-Men in a whole new direction. It builds off of what has come before and sets up so much new to come. Its humor keeps things light and funny delivering an engaging start that’s not to be missed.
Story: Kieron Gillen Art: Lucas Werneck
Color: David Curiel Letterer: Clayton Cowles Design: Tom Muller
Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5 Recommendation: Buy
Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Purchase: comiXology/Kindle – Zeus Comics – TFAW
Source: Graphic Policy
