Marvel Comics
(w) Peter Milligan (a) Michael “Doc” Allred (c) Laura Allred
There are more X named, and mutant based teams in the Marvel Universe than fingers and toes on a mutants body. To name them all would summon En Sabah Nur thus bringing forth the Age Of Apocalypse – Part Two. Please try to list them all. By the time you would finish this review you’d probably only name half. The reason this info is significant is because X-Statix is the best team out of all of them. Is that my opinion? Yes. Is that biased? Yes. Is that true? Hell yes.
The greatest strength of Giant Size X-Statix is Peter Milligan’s ability to write a new story continuing the great saga of X-Statix that respects the original while adding to the mythos that pulls in new readers. Throughout the Giant Milligan furthers each characters plot by re-introducing some of the old while mixing in the new. This works out perfectly for new and old readers alike by giving enough past info, but not to much. It helps that Milligan has a strong grasp on how each character act while keeping his hilarious dialogue and fun plot.
Picking up years after the original series Giant Size X-Statix introduces the world to an older Katie Sawyer, Edie Sawyer’s (U-Go Girl) Daughter. With no mutant powers in the beginning Katie wants nothing to do with the fame or superhero lifestyle that her mom lived – more like died – through. Well as comics go that’s not going to happen. With the random manifestation of her mutant power Katie kick starts the new era of X-Statix with past members Dead Girl, Guy Smith (Mr. Sensitive), and Doop on the prowl for her and new members. The “revival” of X-Statix as a team and comic makes complete sense in an era where everything is live, streamed, and viewed by millions. This is reflected by Doop’s new camera, a cell phone. Where as he would carry an old camera in the old series now with the luxury of such a small device that can live stream the team in action why not reform the group?
Oh and Zeitgeist is back. But now equipped with a team of evil Dada shock troopers preparing to fight the culture war dubbed “X-Cellent.”
I have always loved the duo of Michael, and Laura Allred when it comes to art/color duty. Their pop art doesn’t work on all genres, but is excellent for X-Statix! With their blend of bright colors, heavy ink and characters that pop off the page it blends perfectly with Milligan’s writing style and plot. The choreography of the fight scenes feel like a colorful ballet of dancers that feel vibrant even when it would go towards the more violent side of fighting. With the bright vivid colors and ink each action from the objects in the panel gives a sense of movement that helps some of the heavy narration flow and transition better.
Giant Size X-Statix is an x-cellent continuation and refresher of the series that will bring new readers in, while maintaining the feeling of the original making long time readers nostalgic. This could have been just a one time special but instead Milligan and team build a foundation for their new ongoing series X-Cellent which debuts early 2020. Now to go re-read X-Statix!
Memorable Quote: “No! I’m very liberal minded. I once dated a girl with a Coldplay Tattoo.” – Micky. Peter Milligan has always been great with his witty dialogue making it hard to pick out just one quote, but this was just came out of left field and gave me a hearty chuckle!