X-Men

Hellions, Volume 2 in Review

August 15, 2021 by David Bowen Leave a Comment

Collecting Hellions #7-12, the second trade volume of this instant cult classic is out now, released August 4. Hellions has been one of the most consistent among the current X line, in terms of its narrative focus, art, and overall quality from issue to issue. The brilliantly dark humor of Zeb Wells is as ever shot through with moments of tragic poignancy, but his writing continues to evolve with every issue—and the brooding artistry of Stephen Segovia has proven the most perfect vehicle yet for Zeb’s signature combination of comedy and horror. Segovia’s style is somewhat reminiscent of Leinil Francis Yu’s, but the young Filipino artist excels with his ability to convey such a broad range of facial expressions, emotive body language, kinetic action, and slapstick. This seamless melding of seriousness and levity takes a particular genius to achieve, which, again, makes the pairing of these two unique talents a perfect storm.

(Re)Read Hickman’s X-Men: “I’m on a Boat,” Marauders #1

August 11, 2021 by David Bowen Leave a Comment

What is a marauder? One who roams about living off what they’ve plundered from others. Apparently, maraud in French means “rascal” or “rapscallion” which was once pared with “rampallion” (now “ramp”), meaning an “ill-behaved woman”—a notion Captain ~~Kitty~~ Kate Pryde might be coming to appreciate! 😉

Hickman X-Men Reading Order

Krakin’ Krakoa!

(Re)Read Hickman’s X-Men: “Pax Krakoa” (X-Men vol. 5 #1), Pt.2

August 4, 2021 by David Bowen Leave a Comment

Racing Past the Tipping Point –

V. What Is Not Human? (pgs22-25)

In the second half of Hickman’s debut X-Men issue, the story returns to the Orchis Forge in a big way, though subtle (apparently my favorite adjective when describing Hickmanian storytelling). It’s reestablished here that Orchis is a “last gasp” supremacist hate group, and it will be nigh-untoppable as the ultimate organization of antimutant bigotry. Further, its existence is possible only in the absence of S.H.I.E.L.D., or at least as run by Nick Fury (Sr. or Jr.) or Maria Hill. (Which should make us wonder about the possibility of the super-spy organization’s eventual return.)

Hickman X-Men Reading Order

Krakin’ Krakoa!

(Re)Read Hickman’s X-Men: “Pax Krakoa” (X-Men vol. 5 #1), Pt.1

July 21, 2021 by David Bowen Leave a Comment

The Stressor Points of an Unsustainable Paradise

We have arrived at the Dawn of X! After our exhaustive coverage of HOX/POX, it’d be nice to look back with a piece on general takes on the whole maxiseries—even just looking at Hickman’s overall patterns of timelines, narratives, and imagery would be interesting. But. We spent a long time on the opening of this new era…

So, for now, let’s renew our momentum by diving right into the Dawn of X.

Hickman X-Men Reading Order

Krakin’ Krakoa!