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Underground > Comic Books >

New X-Men Years 1, 2 & 3

00:25 / 18.09.03

OK, to me, Grant's first year (#114-126 + Annual, all in HC Vol.1) was mostly about the Cassandra Nova saga. It started with her, then delved into the notions of U-Men long enough to bring Xorn in and establish them, then returned to Nova for the climax.

Year Two (#127-141) is a little more disjointed, but I see it more as the year of "trouble within the school". The first half of the year mostly recognised Jean & Charles' overseas trip, establishing mutant networks around the world, but meanwhile, closer to home, Scott and Emma's infatuation grows (#128, #131), the students start to cause trouble ("Riot"), and a murder takes place, with a suspect within the school ("Murder"). So I guess in more ways than one, it's a case of "when the cat's away..........."

Year Three.....well.....we've just started it. Though from a guess, I'd assumed this year will mostly focus on the return of Magneto, his connection to Weapon X, and what it will mean for the future. But it's probably too early to guess at this stage.

One final thought: a lot of us originally thought Riot would end Grant's 2nd year, although the Hardcover continues it to #141. So do you consider the "Murder" to be the final arc of Yr 2?

I personally would, given that (a) it continues the theme of immediate trouble at the mansion, continuing immediately and physically from the end of the previous arc, (b) uses the same introductory pages as the previous issues (they changed in Weapon Plus), and (c) it leaves enough mysteries for the following 'season'; Emma's killer, Esme's partner, where is Scott?......the only negative I think is that Murder was a shorter arc than Riot, but that's also happening in Yr.3 (#151-154).

Thoughts/comments?

Petar

00:38 / 18.09.03

I agree, the hardcovers are truly the best way to divide the "seasons" of Grant's run, if you will. Murder was a perfect ending to what was built up to throughout Year 2, and leaves enough of a cliffhanger to spin us into the hard hitting 3rd Season. I've got the Vol.2 Hardcover being held for me by my local shopkeep, and intend on getting it within the week (so excited!!).

01:19 / 18.09.03

Mike-O, thanks for the reply. So you think the Hardcovers are better season-splitters than the TPBs? Any thoughts on why 'Riot' ends it's own TPB, and doesn't continue into 'Murder'? I'd assume it's because of the focus put on Quitely's work/return, though it's a shame the TPBs split Yr 2 in such a way.

And when u say Murder was a perfect ending to what was built up......does that also incorporate the Fantomex/Genosha stuff, or just what's in those last 2 storylines? Expand only if you want to.

And I'm also dying for HC Vol.2. I've gotta wait til October to get it, though......

Thanks,

Petar

02:39 / 18.09.03

Petar, good to have some to talk to about all this, believe me, Ace..

I definitly feel that the Hardcovers do the best job of compiling the storytelling arc of Morrison's run, in terms of stylistic approach and ongoing story elements, IMHO. As you said, Cassandra's story was definitly served best as a whole read, where one could appreciate the intricate and connective plotting and characterization, not top mention feel full on the build up from "E is for Extinction" all the way to "Imperial".

I concur with your thoughts on the "Riot" tpb. Not only was this an excellently paced arc, with full art duties by (fan fav) Quitely, but also as a smaller trade is much more affordable for those who just love the art. for completists, you've got the Hardcover (which both of us seem to gravitate towards, eh?

). I tried collecting the tpbs, but in all honesty nothing compares to the oversized presentation of the HC, which thus far have been beautifuly compiled. "Murder" absolutely feels more "complete", if u will, when read right next to "Riot" as it should be, but I find "Riot" can stand nicely on it's own as a trade, if one so wished.

In terms of "Murder" as a perfect climax to the themes of the entire second year, I do include the Genosha-Fantomex stuff, because of the thematic relevance. For example, the ongoing Phoenix issue, the idea of something gradually feeling amiss at the Xavier Institute, and the first looks of a new, much more complex world taking shape as Xavier's dream takes it's next step (wherein many of its inherent flaws/hardships as well as merits reveal themselves in very effecting ways).

Your thoughts? I'm eagerly anticipating every issue left in Grant's run, desperatly!!!

Yotsuba & Benjamin!

09:04 / 18.09.03

Scott, Scott, Scott. That's what it's all about. I never really caught it before, God knows why, but in the script included in the hardcover, Grant describes the interaction between he and Emma out in the garden and she fosters a critical change in him, the knowledge that he no longer has to be a super hero, even though it's all he's been his entire life. And so the end of the book, "Now where the hell is Scott Summers," es perfecto.

1: Xavier
2: Scott
3: Jean

13:37 / 18.09.03

I think an interesting (albeit, dangerously oversimplified) way of looking at Ys 1, 2 & 3 is...past, present, future.

Year One (Past): The original sin, the primal crime, comes back to haunt Chuck.

Year Two (Present): Focus on the school's current events.

Year Three (Future): The fate of mutantkind will be decided here, culminating in an arc set 100 years forward.

Yotsuba & Benjamin!

14:04 / 18.09.03

I like your dangerous oversimplification much more than mine. And plus it makes more sense. The first book opens with a look at neanderthal man, delves into Chuck's wombventures, a very old Chinese mutant *tt! chuckle!*, and so on.

Book two has more scenes of civil unrest per capita than the rest of Marvel History combined, and the overall pacing of the book is much more centered on there here and now. Each arc has very little flitting around from place to place. I'm reminded of nearly all of Riot At Xaviers, which was, for the most part, a bunch of people walking around and having both important and very unimportant conversations. Very leisurely.

Book Three, well, you can't get much more future-minded than Assault drawn by Chris Bachalo, can you?

Nicely done, Quimper.

14:53 / 18.09.03

But Qumper Cassandra's history was probably just a false memory.

15:27 / 18.09.03

How would Xavier have a false memory?

23:53 / 20.09.03

There's no proof yet that Cassandra was any kind of implanted false memory, despite fan musings.

As for this topic, some interesting conversation here. I like the "past, present, future" notion - it seems very applicable. Any further thoughts on that topic?

And Mike, yes, I'm a big fan of the NXM Hardcovers. Vol.1 is the only HC I have, but it'll soon be joined by Vol.2 and Sandman: Endless Nights.

Petar

15:38 / 29.09.03

Quoted from Lying in the Gutters
One Gutterati writes to report on a meeting with Phil Jiminez. Jiminez was discussing the much-anticipated "New X-Men" 150 and dropped a few teasers. That Charles Xavier will not die in 150, nor Emma, Jean or Scott. Grant Morrison has been trying to get Marvel editors to commit to the lasting changes he does to Scott's character in 154 are not undone and that he is written this way from now on.

Apparently the entire point of the run from Grant's perspective has been to get Scott to loosen up. And despite the success of "X2," Marvel has made no edicts regarding preserving Scott and Jean's relationship.

Phil's take is that Scott and Jean's relationship ended in issue 141/142. And that they are only still together because that is all they know.

Y'know, I really like "New X-Men." I'm going to miss it…