It's clear that this storyline is the moment to which Grant Morrison has been building since he began his run on the book. Morrison's New X-Men has introduced new characters and new ideas to the world of the X-Men and brought out an altogether different and surreal tone to these super-heroes. So imagine my surprise to find that those developments are set aside in favor of the kind of X-Men storytelling that we've seen a number of times before. Yes, everything new is old again, as a more conventional super-hero tone comes over the now-poorly-titled New X-Men.
Key members of the X-Men -- Professor X, Cyclops and Wolverine -- are beginning to realize that something is amiss in their seemingly idyllic new age of mutant tutelage and social discussion. It's becoming clear that there's a traitor in their midst, and his influence is quickly proving to be a fatal one. Meanwhile, a new student in Xorn's special class -- Sooraya -- poses a threat as well, as her sandstorm powers are out of control and causing damage to critical equipment.
Given the action-oriented qualities of this issue, Jimenez's detailed, Perez-inspired linework works quite well. He conveys the energy and chaos that chracterize this story with seeming ease, but more importantly, he also captures the fear, desperation and frustration of the title characters. We're convinced of the critical nature of this conflict not by what we hear the characters say, but by what we see on their faces. Chuckry's colors add tension to the story as well. Scenes are often illuminated with glowing, muted shades, which reinforce the grave feelings that envelop the characters.
This issue should appeal to diehard fans of the Chris Claremont/John Byrne days of I>Uncanny X-Men, because it reads just like an issue from that legendary run. The maturity that Morrison brought to the property isn't to be found here. But hey, I have no problem straight-up super-hero storytelling. My problem with the plotlines here is that I've seen almost the exact same ones involving the exact same characters before. The surprise ending is telegraphed early on in the issue, and I honestly can't rectify what we learn in this issue with what Morrison wrote earlier on in his New X-Men run.
For those who like their X-Men crippled, beat up and seemingly dead -- just like they've been before -- this issue will be a welcome treat. But for those of us who were hoping for some kind of progress, some kind of development in these characters, this opening chapter of "Planet X" -- which, to its credit, is fairly accessible -- will come away disappointed and disinterested in the X-Men franchise once again. Now, given Morrison's past track record, I am aware that he might have an original trick up his avant-garde sleeve, but I'm not encouraged by this opening.
