This issue was a pretty bad start. The idea of contrasting both sides was interesting but yeah there wasn't a good balance and we didn't really get much from the X-Men side of the story other than dread. I am still interested in how this will end, but issue 1 was just not really good.
Things I did dig:
-The point that the Mist affects mutants to varying degrees. At least that's something real and not just inconsistent writing.
- Cyke being infected, kinda obvious, but at least if he will do something extreme in this series it might be justified (Though I still can't think what would be so extreme about it)
- All of the X-Men working together (Okay just Iceman and Beast) but it was a nice change of pace.
Things that I really didn't enjoy:
- Creepy Inhumans are creepy. I don't know if it was the creepy smiles this artist does or just because we are getting this after we know how bad the outcome to all of this is, but I just didn't like or see any of the Inhuman's POV, and aside from joking around here I want Marvel to prove me wrong about this idea, but I still see them as pretty naive cultist.
- Illyana being the contrarian rubs me the wrong way. I see her point, but she seems like the wrong character to use for this. This is all coming off as just a way to justify the her feelings towards Scott in Extraordinary rather than something that feels in line with her. I hope we get more out of issue 2 from her, but I think it would've been better if Bobby had been the one saying her lines.
-Maddrox. Fuck you with a rusty spoon, Marvel.
5/10.
Yea.
Illyana being the contrarian (if that's the case -- haven't gotten a copy yet) would really only make sense if all the events from the Last Will and Testament actually took place (rather than being erased by that damn Aussie) when she began doubting Scott's because of his handling of Matthew Malloy.
Yeah, again, it's not that it doesn't make sense in the issue. As other have pointed out, Team X was not being as cautious as they should be here, but it felt like they were setting up a dynamic that has not been earn. Of course, this could all be first issue clunkiness, since again, the issue is just not executed well, but given how she was handle in Ex-Men my expectations are quite low.
Cyclops had become too isolated from everyone else to think clearly, and the same is true of Emma. They could have had Forge or Beast send in drones to test the gas and scan for survivors. Magik could have teleported for that. But I think this is ultimately meant to show Scott's total meltdown before he gets killed.
Black Bolt is to blame for all this, but why isn't the inhuman royal family holding him accountable for his actions? Have they done anything to him for what he has done to earth? No, they haven't to my knowledge. That makes them just as guilty to me.
All she does is say variations of "this place is dangerous," "we should be careful," "I've got a bad feeling about this" as they explore the island, ask Cyclops if he's ok when he cough's and after he has a mist-induced attack, and ask if he blames the Inhumans. The only thing she's contrarian about in the whole issue is safety. Which, admittedly, is a little weird coming from her of all people.
I do have to give Aaron Kuder props for drawing the creepiest art I've personally seen in a while. That scene with all of dupes of Madrox was terrifying in a way, not to mention sad for Madrox/X-factor fans. I wasn't sure I was gonna read this because it was a prequel but I'm definitely invested in what's going to happen now.
"It's fun and it's cool, so that's all that matters. It's what comics are for, Duh."
Words to live by.
Overall I enjoyed it! I liked the grim & dark story of the X-Men vs. the bright & exciting story of the Inhumans.
It seems like most of PAD's X-Factor has been wiped from the memories of Marvel editorial, so I am not surprised Madrox was on Muir Island and not on his farm with Layla.
I did not have an issue with Magik's role. She seemed pretty in character to me based on how Bendis & Lemire have written her over the last few years.
Looking forward to seeing how the next 3 issues play out!