Reminding the world to hate and fear her! How do you track a subject with a history that contradicts itself? And how do you stop a force whose motives change like quicksilver? How do you stop a target that can be anyone? That’s the question that confronts Nick Fury as he stumbles upon a web of lies and espionage leading back to Mystique. From the ashes of Krakoa, the shape-shifting mutant terrorist returns to remind the world exactly why it hates and fears her. Mystique #1 delivers action, twists and turns as it keeps readers on their toes as to what to expect next.
Written by and art by Declan Shalvey, Mystique #1 is an interesting comic that plays off of Mystique’s rather convoluted history quite well. Broken into two parts, the first has Raven on the hunt while the second has Raven being hunted.
Shalvey first focuses on Maverick, a former member of Weapon X and still special ops leader, on the hunt, and it turns out the target is Mystique. But, in reality, Mystique is hunting Maverick hoping to get information from him for whatever missions she’s on. It’s an interesting segment as Raven goes through her ability to shapeshift and Shalvey uses that quite well to keep readers guessing and show her using it to extract the information she wants. The fight scene is decent and overall, it feels like a nice opening sequence before the credits roll for a film.
The second half of the comic has the New SHIELD and Nick Fury Jr. putting a target on Mystique. This, to me, is the more interesting aspect of the comic. What stands out here is Fury attempting to piece together the rather complicated history of Mystique. He outright says there’s information that doesn’t make sense. Highlighted is her being in two different locations at times that just wouldn’t work. That’s the part of the comic that has a more espionage and spy aspect to it. It’s a mystery that I’d want solved as a reader.
The art by Shalvey is ok. With color by Matt Hollingsworth and lettering by Clayton Cowles, the art has its moments. It moves the story along well and there’s some fun with Mystique’s abilities. But, it doesn’t really jump out and the action sequences, while entertaining, don’t pop, the comic overall is fine visually. It doesn’t distract from the story but doesn’t excite.
Mystique #1 is a debut which is good and shows potential. I’d have shortened the aspect with Maverick. Iinstead I’d have focused more on Fury and his being puzzled over the information on Mystique. That has the greater chance of landing for the story. It also has the overall vibe of the spy genre. More so than the rather generic action sequence opening. The comic can answer a lot of questions and might try, and it’ll be interesting to see where it goes from here. But, as a start, it’s intriguing but doesn’t totally hook the reader.
Story: Declan Shalvey Art: Declan Shalvey
Color: Matt Hollingsworth Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Story: 7.25 Art: 7.25 Overall: 7.25 Recommendation: Read
Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Purchase: TFAW – Zeus Comics – Kindle
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