Astonishing X-Men Annual 1 (2018)

[Prof. Warren]

Yeah I'd read a solo with this Xavier the true Xavier. Charles trolls the MU

I loved Xaiver in this issue.

I find it funny that anyone would be unhappy with his portrayal here and pine for a "nicer" version.

It's more interesting to have him as a cold, hard ass manipulator who forces his former students to make tough choices.

Interesting that Angel is the only one who isn't mindwiped at the end. Wonder what the follow-up to that will be.

[Magnusilver]

It's not just about Cyclops he lied about Danger, the Illuminattis and erased the memory of some of his students including Scott.

He lost confidence even with some of the new students after being turned away by the older ones.


The O4s themselves have clearly stated in this issue that they blame Xavier for many things that went wrong in their lives. Resulting in the final sentence of X in the end the choice is to do something or let the world go to hell so yes Xavier put his students in a difficult position but in the end if it were not for them the world would have been destroyed countless times.

I'm sure X-men are chilled with Xavier and fight alongside him before his death in AVX. All of the X-men except Cyclops and his team mourned Xavier at the funeral after that. I don't think Xavier is a unwelcome person among X-men before.

[Knives]

Dang! Xavier is worse than Magneto. He has no moral code n a pathological liar.

I would not go so far but Xavier did many things that contradict his teachings and certainly is not a saint.

But the current X is much worse and a more honest version of the bad side that Xavier hid from everyone. Xavier always used the excuse that the ends justify the means when the situation did not have an easy solution but now he does not even bother to justify or regret his actions. Which makes X much more dangerous than the old Xavier.

[Magnusilver]

again double post

[Knives]

I'm sure X-men are chilled with Xavier and fight alongside him before his death in AVX. All of the X-men except Cyclops and his team mourned Xavier at the funeral after that. I don't think Xavier is a unwelcome person among X-men before.

It's not a matter of being welcome or not.

The X-mens are a dysfunctional family but still a family.

Xavier for many was like a father or grandfather. Scott and the X-mens for example felt betrayed by Xavier but when the Hulk tried to catch him they defended him and when it was necessary Cyclops asked for advice to him before Schism.

There is love and hate in the relationship of several X-mens. This drama is the mark of the franchise.

[LordAllMIghty]

So why are we angry that cyclops killed that psycho?

Again, what did X do in this issue that was so bad?

[MosSuperman]

Other then wiping their memories, he really didnt do anything. We're in a gray area with his character and I'm kind of excited to see where this is going.

You say that like it's no bid deal. Lol

[LordAllMIghty]

You say that like it's no bid deal. Lol

You don't know me. Lol

What's a little memory erasing between friends.

[King_Thor13]

Pros:

• The table is set for five, the fifth spot being symbolic of Scott Summers and how much he means to them.
• The entirety of the conversation where they're speaking of what they've lost. It's rather somber but important in terms of addressing where they're at. I love that Jean pointed out that Bobby was mostly okay, who took it as a compliment. But it is sad when you look at their lives and what they've got.
• Hank's fondness for Hawaiian shirts
• X residing in New York, so close to the X-Men and the rest of the superhuman community. Who knows what else he's been up to... Depending on the route they take with his character, he could be a very capable antagonist. Maybe even moreso than Magneto or Cassandra Nova, who obviously don't know he's back yet
• The panel of Archangel decapitating Lucifer is pretty badass.
  archangel.jpg

Cons:

• 'X' is still a stupid concept, and it bothers me that they're continuing to run with the Xavier/Fantomex hybrid with all of the negative traits of each- dishonesty, manipulation, arrogance. Regarding Fantomex, it's unclear what happened in regards to his powers of misdirection, and EVA. Did X inherit these abilities? Or does Fantomex possess them in the Astral Plane?
• How was X able to mindwipe Jean so easily? Being an omega-level telepath at the height of her power sans Phoenix, I would've thought she'd at least be able to resist his telepathic advances, if not overcome them altogether.
• So we get an entire issue devoted to a reunion of four of the original five, and somehow their interactions with each other still feel somewhat minimal? Idk I feel like this is only scratching the surface. I hope that Extermination and Uncanny continue to showcase them together as a unit, after so many years as X-Men and friends.
• Warren struggling to control his Archangel persona. Again. After this exact dilemma has been resolved on multiple occasions. I'm so over that story. It's been one of the only issues his character has dealt with since he became a Horseman of Apocalypse. I personally liked him best as a rich pretty flyboy and the Archangel on the side. As a mopey tagalong with minimal character interactions, he serves no purpose. It's unclear if he's still in a relationship with Betsy too (I hope so), but if he is then should be thankful for that at least.
• The cover is slightly misleading, as none of the characters are in costume throughout the issue.

Xavier modified Jeans personality. Rosenberg was asked a question and liked this

https://twitter.com/Kristofaokuns/st...496671744?s=19

That's completely invasive. He's got no right to mindwipe them or anything of the sort, but the audacity in attempting to rewrite someone's personality and manipulate their emotions is incredibly dark.

[Knives]

Again, what did X do in this issue that was so bad?

Let's see he knew that an alien was in the town controlling people but he preferred to hide this fact from his students until it was too late and one of them was kidnapped. He suspected the risks if they killed the alien and how it would affect the humans although he was not sure yet said that the best option was to kill him and that was what Warren did and when his former students turned on him he decided to erase his memories giving happy thoughts to them .

[Weather]

Why do you say Warren knows X is alive? I thought X mind-wiped everyone in the room?

As Knives answered, it is kind of there in the last page, even though nothing is said. I don't think there would be a reason for the last panel to be Warren sitten, sad, while the others are happy and anaware of what has happened.

I think X really expected Warren to act that way, and since he did, he chose not to erase his memories. I think it's very interesting. X gave Warren, in Astonishing 12, the choice to be Angel, Archangel or simply Warren, whatever he "needed". I believe Warren needed his Archangel persona to kill Lucifer, to not feel so guilty about it. But in the end, he just said that it was really his idea in Angel form, it was the only way.

That's what I think it is so interesting about this issue. A lot is there for you to think about. I think X is planning something for the X-men who might have the same goals as him. Maybe he saw that in Betsy and now Warren, and that is why they are the only ones he allowed to remember him.

[Abbz_A]

I would not go so far but Xavier did many things that contradict his teachings and certainly is not a saint.

But the current X is much worse and a more honest version of the bad side that Xavier hid from everyone. Xavier always used the excuse that the ends justify the means when the situation did not have an easy solution but now he does not even bother to justify or regret his actions. Which makes X much more dangerous than the old Xavier.

I meant like Magneto kinda humbled down, I know he has his outburst moments but X is cold n show no remorse.
Xavier has always been manipulative

[Magnusilver]

So why are we angry that cyclops killed that psycho?

X is generated because Cyclops killed the real Xavier.

[Izanami]

The only good moments was Iceman eating hamburger while he's talking and Warren wearing a sexy singlet with his wings spread.

I thought he was wearing a cheesy tank top. Was there an alternate version of Warren wearing fewer clothes than usual? What is this a porno?

Unexpectedly I loved this issue and now want it to be an ongoing that runs for 300 issues.

I love the dark and creepy factor so count me in. There is nothing like being highly uncomfortable near someone who is suppose to be dead.

Other then wiping their memories, he really didnt do anything. We're in a gray area with his character and I'm kind of excited to see where this is going.

I think I like this because its something more then him playing father figure or finding out about his past sins.

Same. I am tired of the whole silver age dick Xavier having secret #184 being revealed about his past sins. Hoping wherever he goes its in between holy Xavier that the media got to know from the movies and tv shows with the silver age questionable mentor. Not so much the Claremont one as its just driving that trait in the ground.

As Knives answered, it is kind of there in the last page, even though nothing is said. I don't think there would be a reason for the last panel to be Warren sitten, sad, while the others are happy and anaware of what has happened.

I think X really expected Warren to act that way, and since he did, he chose not to erase his memories. I think it's very interesting. X gave Warren, in Astonishing 12, the choice to be Angel, Archangel or simply Warren, whatever he "needed". I believe Warren needed his Archangel persona to kill Lucifer, to not feel so guilty about it. But in the end, he just said that it was really his idea in Angel form, it was the only way.

That's what I think it is so interesting about this issue. A lot is there for you to think about. I think X is planning something for the X-men who might have the same goals as him. Maybe he saw that in Betsy and now Warren, and that is why they are the only ones he allowed to remember him.

That last panel was interesting. I do like seeing Warren be a grey character at times while being conflicted on what choice is the best choice, if there is any. Seeing him try to at least re-do what happened the day before and make it worth it with the dinner party. I think that is an interesting message. I would like to see moments of this between characters wherein they are not bound to being a superhero 24/7. Often times we miss out on the humanity of these character that we are missing from the x-men. When was the last time we saw them outside of that or struggle with just being human. It's kinda depressing how Warren tries to hide all that away with a smile or an illusion of being happy. There is also 4 chairs instead of 5 at the end of the scene. Quite symbolic.

[Weather]

Cons:

• 'X' is still a stupid concept, and it bothers me that they're continuing to run with the Xavier/Fantomex hybrid with all of the negative traits of each- dishonesty, manipulation, arrogance. Regarding Fantomex, it's unclear what happened in regards to his powers of misdirection, and EVA. Did X inherit these abilities? Or does Fantomex possess them in the Astral Plane?
• How was X able to mindwipe Jean so easily? Being an omega-level telepath at the height of her power sans Phoenix, I would've thought she'd at least be able to resist his telepathic advances, if not overcome them altogether.
• So we get an entire issue devoted to a reunion of four of the original five, and somehow their interactions with each other still feel somewhat minimal? Idk I feel like this is only scratching the surface. I hope that Extermination and Uncanny continue to showcase them together as a unit, after so many years as X-Men and friends.
• Warren struggling to control his Archangel persona. Again. After this exact dilemma has been resolved on multiple occasions. I'm so over that story. It's been one of the only issues his character has dealt with since he became a Horseman of Apocalypse. I personally liked him best as a rich pretty flyboy and the Archangel on the side. As a mopey tagalong with minimal character interactions, he serves no purpose. It's unclear if he's still in a relationship with Betsy too (I hope so), but if he is then should be thankful for that at least.
• The cover is slightly misleading, as none of the characters are in costume throughout the issue.

• It was shown in Soule's run that he did not have Fantomex's healing factor, so I think he does not have any of his powers. It was said that X was created with Fantomex body, it was not only a possession.
  
• Maybe X is super powerful, not only having Xavier's original powers, but something more he took on the Astral Plane during all those years or during that fight he had alongside Psylocke, he might have taken a little bit of power from other psychics. Just a guess.
  
• I also thought the reunion was going to be a long talk and interaction between them. But it the end I liked it. I felt like they were home with each other.
  
• I have a theory that, since X erased Warren's mind, he did not know X gave him control over the Archangel persona. And soon as he transformed himself to kill Lucifer, he realized he was in control all along, and that's why he turned back to Angel without problems and even recognized it was his true intention to kill him.