X-MEN: EVOLUTION #9
"House Party"
Recommended (7/10)
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Marvel Comics
Writer: Jay Faerber
Artist: J.J. Kirby
Colors: Chris Walker
Letters: Randy Gentile
Editor: Ralph Macchio
Price: $2.25 US/$3.75 CAN |
So the first thing I notice about this book, aside from the HOme Alone homage on the cover, is that writer Jay Faerber's name is spelled wrong in the credits. Not a good sign. Fortunately, it wasn't an omen of shoddy quality. Though the story may be rather inconsequential, it does make for light fun, as does the rather unique artwork. We're used to seeing these characters (or at least, their mainstream-continuity counterparts) dripping angst all over the place, so it's a pleasure to see them having some fun instead.
Professor X detects a new mutant signature out of town, and with Wolverine, Storm and the Beast away on training missions, the professor is forced to leave his teenage students alone at the X Mansion. Word quickly spreads at school, and before they know it, the young X-Men are hosting a huge party. Things get hairy, though, when they are forced to hide the mansions secrets from their classmates... and from Mystique's malevolent mutant charges as well.
J.J. Kirby's art really surprised me here. Though the designs are intact, he really deviates from the X-Men: Evolution cartoon's house style (heavily influence by the Bruce Timm Batman style). Seeing someone doing something truly different with the art here was a treat. He captures the youth and energy of the characters. The colors, though, are much darker than the tone of the story and the art, but it seems to make for an interesting contrast instead of working against the other creative elements.
Sure, the plot may be on the predictable side, but that doesn't diminish its inherent quality of fun. It's a pleasure to see these teenage characters behaving like, well, teenagers. Well, minus the booze and lack of conscience, anyway. The angst that has characterized the X-Men for so long is replaced here with the fun of young rebellion instead, and it's a welcome change of pace.
It's a shame this series is on the chopping block. Sure, many of the other X-titles boast strong, intelligent storytelling these days, but several of them have also gone beyond the reach of younger readers. This title's cancellation -- this is the last issue, even though #10 was solicited, apparently -- will leave a void in the X-title line.
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