PopCultHQ

Written by Adrian Care

PopCultHQ received an advance review copy of AGE OF X-MAN: THE MARVELOUS X-MEN #1 from Marvel Comics. Available February 6th, 2019, the creative team for this series features writing from Zac Thompson and Lonnie Nadler, art from Marco Failla, colors by Matt Milla, and lettering from VC’s Joe Caramagna.

Here’s PopCultHQ’s spoiler-free review of…

Age Of X-Man: The Marvelous X-Men (2019) #1 (of 5)

In an age of utopia, the Summers Institute for Higher Learning is the premiere school for the mutant community across the globe. Attendance is mandatory for all mutant children, as they learn to become the next generation of marvelous X-Men. But even in a utopian society, teenagers will always find a way to rebel… Follow Glob, Armor, Anole and Rockslide as they discover what it really means to live in an age of peace and harmony!

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PopCultHQ’s Comic Book Review:
AGE OF X-MAN: THE MARVELOUS X-MEN #1

Perfection through solitude. That is the secret wavelength that underscores the utopian society of the Age of X-Man. Everyone is a mutant. Still the X-men are held higher than the rest, beacons of nobility and good. Not required to fight nefarious arch-villains, the team instead focus on more important efforts, rescue missions like this issue’s ominous fire. Still…the notion that something isn’t right begins to gnaw at the back of their minds.

Writing:

Zac Thompson and Lonnie Nadler build steadily on the last week’s ‘Alpha’. Reiterating who the X-men of this world are and their purpose while unveiling another layer of the disconnect that permeates through the characters. There are hidden clues aplenty strewn all over the issue. Long time X-fans will relish certain catchphrases or mentions that allude to X-universe history. The dialogue, appropriately, is spiked with cold roboticism and its artificial underpinning is starting to appear as though it’s all complete by design. The plot unfolds in an intelligent way to set up the pieces and throw the cast into an interesting direction as the world unfolds further.

Art:

Marco Failla’s art instantly reminded me of Paul Smith’s early 80’s X-men run, while still carrying its own identity. It’s also not too far of a departure from the art featured in Age of X-man: Alpha. In a project of this scope and ambition, that kind of consistency pays dividends. No stranger to working on mutants (Spider-man and the X-men, House of M), nostalgia (Masters of the Universe), or cool and innovative books (Ms. Marvel, Jackpot!), Failla is perfectly placed to showcase his storytelling prowess in a book where everything is more than meets the eye.

Colors:

No stranger to the X-verse, Matt Milla has a storied history of working on everything from X-factor, X-men: Blue, Mystique, Deadpool: Merc with a Mouth, and X-men ’92. As well as work for other publishers on titles as varied as Aquaman and the Others, The Darkness, and Archer and Armstrong.

Matt Milla stays on brand with the work established by Triona Farrell in the Alpha issue, while working in more to distinguish each character’s underlying (or suppressed) traits visually. He shines especially in the action set piece, using color to make it seem as though the mutant powers are such a prescient thing, that they may be too much for the characters to control (see the panels were Storm is in action). 

Letters:

Joe Caramagna’s style speaks in unison with the character he is lettering. On Invincible Iron-Man, it was the hi-tech corporate high life of Tony Stark and co. On Astonishing X- Men, it was the underlying darkness and pure adventure of children of the atom. In the false utopia of Age of X-man, the lettering speaks to the subdued, passive atmosphere of this world. It’s a fine line between having your work silently compliment an action or emphasize for effect, while also be inconspicuous. Check out a second or third glance where Nightcrawler Bamfs. Notice the crystal clarity between characters who communicate by speaking at each other and those that do so telepathically. It’s a tight package by a letterer that clearly understand what his creative team, and his characters, require of him.

PopCultHQ’s overall assessment

A consistent second entry into this multi-part event that doesn’t sacrifice story for spectacle and still delivers both. With each read of Age of X-Man, I’m eager for the new entry and to explore other corners of this universe.

This book rewards your knowledge of the X-men and invites those unfamiliar to enjoy just as much. Everything here from the art, to the story, to the theme, sharpens as things progress. There are genuine “look out” moments as the creative team makes the most of an idea that was solid at first and is fast becoming inspired.

PopCultHQ’s Rating:

4 out of 5 Stars

AGE OF X-MAN: THE MARVELOUS X-MEN #1 can be purchased on ComiXology and available
at your local comic shop and online retailers on Wednesday, February 6th!

 

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Follow the creators online!

Writer – Zac Thompson

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Writer – Lonnie Nadler

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Artist – Marco Failla

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Colorist – Matt Milla

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Letterer – Joe Caramagna

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Publisher – Marvel Comics

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