So, three issues into this series, and I am officially hooked. Duggan, who, in my opinion, seems to fully grasp and understand each character, is doing some of his best work here, effortlessly alternating between exciting action sequences and scenes dipped in mystery and intrigue, leaving me hungry for more, which is always a good thing. Needless to say, Larraz's renderings are utterly immersive and lend the stories a potent palpability and immediacy that hit the sweet spot. Finally, Marte Gracia does wonders with colors, his palette spanning gloriously from dark and rich to vibrant and prismatic. (What can I say? I am in love with this creative team!)
From the beginning, I have found the big baddies - Kelvin Heng (aka Feilong), Cordyceps Jones, and Dr. Stasis - like specters lurking on the edges of each issue, fascinating and alluring. However, throwing Henry Gyrich and the High Evolutionary into the mix has only upped the stakes. (What will each of them do? Who will be the one to hit the X-Men where it hurts first? Will they combine their efforts?) I am curious to see how Duggan's work here will tie into what Hickman plans to unfold - and unravel - during
Inferno. I cannot wait to witness what they've got cooked up and how it will all play out and get served. On a sterling silver platter, I'm sure. (Also,
what will Ben Urich do?!)
I don't think I have ever fallen in love so quickly with a new team before, but, as I previously noted, this may be because the origins of each of these characters span the entire nearly-60 year history of the X-Men. As a result, everyone feels familiar and like family and, better yet, is treated with dignity, respect, and a fundamental understanding of what moves, drives, and makes them tick. Duggan is slowly teasing out each team member's emotional life and does a good job of giving them each bits and moments in which to stretch and breathe and display their individual quirks and tendencies.
Finally, is it me, or has this been the best Jean Grey in some time? Mind you, unlike some, I have enjoyed her portrayal in
The Trial of Magneto so far. And Hickman doesn't get enough credit for writing some of her best moments since her official return to comics in 2018, including her team-up with Emma Frost in
Giant-Size X-Men, in which she, once again, saved Emma and was pivotal in rescuing Storm, and her scenes in
X-Men, in which she was the first to step down from the Quiet Council, the first to refuse their offer of reappointment, and the first to found this new team.
However, what Duggan has done with Jean, starting with
Cable and spanning both
Planet Size X-Men and this new series, has been wondrous to behold. He imbues her with a level of grace, nonchalance, decisiveness, and self-assuredness that I have been missing for a very long time. He writes and treats her like an experienced leader who has seen and been through a lot and is not easily moved. And this is taking into consideration that he has yet to center a story around her, the possibilities of which both thrill and propel me into endless daydreams.
This series makes me genuinely happy and excited and, most importantly, leaves me craving for more.
A+