This book -- continuing the numbering of Grant Morrison's New X-Men series -- is billed as a new direction, a jumping-on point for new readers as a part of the "X-Men Reload" event. In some respects, it reads like a new direction, like the initial efforts of a new creative team. In reality, though, Austen has merely shunted his Uncanny X-Men subplots over to this book, and it will make for a difficult read for a new audience. The plotting is awkward, the characterization forced. And what's worse is that the script itself points out how ridiculous it is at times. And though his cover is lovely, the same sort of strength in Salvador Larroca's is not to be found within.
The newly reconstructed X-Mansion is a beehive of activity. Returning and new students, all mutants, are arriving to begin the new semester while the experienced, senior mutant staffers, better known as the X-Men, are reorganizing into two new teams to deal with threats that emerge the world over. Havok's been appointed leader of one group, and not everyone assigned to his team is thrilled with the prospect. Chief among them is Bobby Drake, AKA Iceman, who has feelings for Havok's significant other. Meanwhile, in China, a village is devastated by an mysterious force... one connected to a mutant.
The softness and stiffness of Larroca's art and figures in this issue don't really seem to suit the hectic tone of the script. The artist seems to aim for realistic detail, but instead, the panels often come off as busy and cramped. The colors from Udon are lovely, but there's an airy, mystical quality to them that again, it's in keeping with the tone of the script.
Sometimes, this book boasts a grave tone, one that demonstrates that Havok's team is getting off on the wrong foot and that only disaster can result. At others, there's a goofier tone, a flipness more in keeping with the humor of a book such as Formerly Known as the Justice League rather than the relationship angst of the X-Men's world. I like that this title distinguishes itself in tone from the more upbeat one found in Uncanny X-Men earlier this month, but there seems to be a lack of focus and direction here.
Perhaps one reason for that lack of focus is the fact that Austen seems to have too much to say about too many characters. He tries to follow up on Josh Guthrie's story from "She Lies With Angels." He tries to pick up on the Havok/Annie/Iceman love triangle. He tries to address Polaris's disconcerting behavior. He brings back the Juggy/Sammy dynamic and the arguments against allowing the Juggernaut to be an X-Man. He tries to incorporate Rogue and Gambit back into the regular X-Men fold. In some cases, though, there's no exposition or context for it, and in others, there doesn't seem to be any reason at all for it anymore.
This comic book has so many problems, it mocks itself at times. In the closing scene, Iceman makes fun of Havok for pointing out the obvious... except that the details aren't obvious to the reader as key elements seem to have been left out of the art. And the ultimate in silliness is spotlighted in the script as well, as Wolverine complains that he can't be on every X-team, that he can't possibly participate in every adventure. The reader already knows this, but the publisher doesn't, it would seem.
