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Underground > Comic Books >

New X-Men Annual 2001

  
  

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tracypanzer
17:23 / 15.08.01
My question: has Wolverine always been that funny?
 
 
Sandfarmer
17:44 / 15.08.01
Wolverine used to be funny as shit in the Frank Miller, Louise Siminson days.

I've not got the annual yet. I went to the shop today because I had the day off but I'm too broke to buy any comics. I checked it out. It looked cool. I hate Yu but it seems like someone must have lent him a Wil Eisner book or something becuase at least his layouts seemed to make sense. I'll buy the fucker on pay day.
 
 
Yotsuba & Benjamin!
18:34 / 15.08.01
S

P

O

I

L

E

R

S

?

?

?

?

?

Well, I just now realized that my old name was erased from the Barby databases, just in time to make this new one in honor of the fantastic new New X-Men Annual. [Note: Apparently my chosen name of "XandyXorn" was not used]

Yikes!

Sure, a lot of the things in it probably would have made slightly more sense post-116 (but being Grant's ideas and knowing his propensity for ejaculating them with rapidity and frequency, I doubt it), but still...the X-Corporation? Ye Gods, how utterly wonderful.

Sure, I spent some time imagining Quitely drawing the thing, but who doesn't do that with everything they pick up these days, save 100 Bullets?

Overall I was wholly impressed with really the first complete X-Men story of his we've had the priveledge to read. Nice cerebral climax (lovely to stick the big explosives in the middle) and it's just sitting there begging me to read it again.

Once the schedules start getting in order it's dawned on me that we'll probably be reading new Grant-product every couple of weeks....

Hoo-fucking-ray.

With A Blue Sun For My Goddamned Head,
Benjamin.

[ 15-08-2001: Message edited by: Benjamin Birdie ]
 
 
Ronald Thomas Clontle
19:11 / 15.08.01
Monologue by John Sublime:
quote:
Haven't you ever felt special? Haven't any of you wished others could see the super-potential that you know you have inside? Then maybe you're one the Third Species, like me. Maybe you're a mutant soul born in a frail, powerless human body, afraid to express your needs. My bestselling book gives a voice to the people who have decided to transcend their species orientation. ...

We want to be mutants, too. And live in a better world than this one. Society has come to accept tattoos, piercings and other body modifications. Why not accept this?


Brilliant! The idea is so sound that it's actually sort of amazing that no one had every thought to do something like this in the X-Men world before. I think it is especially great that the bestselling comic in the world is now forcing legions of fanboys to consider the politics of what is essentially transgender sexuality. Does anyone have any ideas or thoughts about this new storyline in relation to transgendering?

About everything else:

* I really liked how Grant wrote Domino, and I really appreciate the off panel sex fling she and Wolverine are indulging in. I think it's a good idea to keep putting out the idea that Wolverine is a fucking sex god, it's good for the character.

* I'm pretty intrigued by the Xorn character, and I'm looking foward to seeing more of him in New X-Men. I thought that it was interesting for Grant to explore how mutants are treated in China, I don't believe that has ever come up at any point in the history of the series. And to do it somewhat respectfully is a big bonus.

* While I don't terribly mind his actual drawing style, Leinl Francis Yu is one terrible storyteller. His panel to panel, page to page continuity was really hard to follow, and I was certainly confused by some page-to-page transitions...Grant refusal to put any text other than dialogue did not make it any easier either (though I usually like that Grant doesn't do that sort of thing). And how did Emma's breast size go from double D on every other page to something resembling giant watermelons on the page where she comes into Cyclops' bedroom?

I'm liking Grant's New X-Men more and more with every issue...I can't even begin to imagine what the comic is going to be like once he has a year or so under his belt...

[ 15-08-2001: Message edited by: Flux = Rad ]
 
 
Ganesh
21:30 / 15.08.01
Just got it, just read it. Initially put off by the amateurish cover (which reminded me of the dodgily-painted stuff which used to appear on Tharg's Letter Page) and the not-much-better interior art.

Morrison's writing, however: mmmmmm...

I've read precious little X-Men since the original stuff (when I was fourteen) but Morrison's take really seems to breathe new life into an overstuffed universe. Like Flux, I immediately thought of transgender politics, and recalled a fairly heated argument I once had with a consultant psychiatrist colleague on the ethics of okaying someone for reassignment surgery "just because they think their body's 'wrong'". Gender reassignment seems to have become more or less acceptable, but what about those individuals who seek amputation because they feel 'wrong' with two legs? I've often wondered where we, as a society, choose to draw the line - and Morrison's 'Third Species' subplot points up that particular 'grey area' beautifully.

Other stuff I liked:

- the whole different approach to mutants within China; either killed at birth or viewed as a resource to be exploited ("...could have powered ten thousand communist super-cities") or a potential "doomsday soldier". Chillingly practical

- the idea of the X-Corporation

- a creature with a star for a head, recalling Crowley, Lovecraft and the latter volume of The Invisibles; a literal version of Morrison's 'as above, so below' credo. There's a universe inside your head if you can just unlock it and let the sunshine out...

- depression/suicide as black hole/event horizon

- a softening and refining of the relationship between Scott and Logan, and Emma's 'shark among minnows' role coming to the fore

- the U-Men protesting by refusing to breathe the 'tainted air', reminiscent of Morrison's Japanese character from the Doom Patrol's original Brotherhood of Dada

- the short-lived 'dandruff golems'; an allusion to cloning?

- the references to larvae and butterflies: the unfortunate creature who dies of blood loss ("Help... they took my wings away...") is a caterpillar, the U-Men are pupae and the cult leader with his painfully-grafted wings a stunted butterfly

- amputated hands, reminding me of 'Titus'. Brrr...

All told, this is the most satisfying X-thing of Morrison's yet, possibly because it's a complete tale in itself. If I wasn't already convinced by his work on the ongoing series, I'd be well-hooked by now.
 
 
Ganesh
21:36 / 15.08.01
I also love the fact that I've felt compelled to seek out a cyber-cafe in my lunch break so I can post my first impressions while they're still hot. Makes me remember the monthly excitement of coming here once I'd devoured The Invisibles. Mmmmm...
 
 
Ronald Thomas Clontle
14:28 / 16.08.01
About Xorn:

1. I still don't get how he has no thoughts, no brain, yet he still can talk and have ideas and feelings. I thought his brain was REPLACED by the baby sun? Can someone even attempt to explain this to me? Also, I'm not even clear on what his power is supposed to be, and what relation it has to the baby sun...

2. I like the fact that he is considerably older than the rest of the X-Men, and seeing as that he has spent his life in near-total isolation in China, I imagine his interactions with the rest of the characters will be very interesting. I imagine that Xorn will be the Rebis of the X-Men..

3. The only downside I can think of to this character is the similarity in appearance to Uncanny X-Men's Chamber. But aside from Chamber, I can't think of any other characters who's heads are consumed with radiant light...

4. I think this is the first Marvel comic to really show off its non-code approval in a way that is noticeable and enhances the story and dialogue... From crude humor about Cyclops, to light sexual content (Domino and Wolverine's fling) to depraved sexual content (the men in the elevator sharing their sick fantasies..."two white girls wrestling in crude oil til they are engulfed like dead seagulls" or something like that...). Nice.

Best line:

"Don't worry. Scott's good with the depressed."

[ 16-08-2001: Message edited by: Flux = Rad ]
 
 
Ellis
17:28 / 16.08.01
I loved this annual, I thought it was brilliant, even the flawed art didnt ruin it for me.

Although, White Queen as the new Penance, Xorn as the new Chamber? Hmm, maybe not.

I can't wait to see how Xorn interacts with the X Men in the normal book, and I hope Grant picks up the X Corp and Xaviers Mutant Writes Manifesto threads. It was nice to see Domino again, I always thought she was a cool character.

I think everyone else has already listed theirs (and mine) favorite parts of the book, but anyway:

The mutants in China, I hope this, like the X Corp thread is picked up again., The X Men go to war with China?

The X Men are doing something, not just letting things happen to them, they are being pro-active.

Xorn commiting suicide. Xorn in general, he is older than the other X Men and has been imprisoned all his life, what a brilliant character.

Wolverine and Domino, I agree with Flux about showing Wolverine as a sex god; great idea.

The Beast growling, sniffing, "Fnauur" indeed !

What I didn't like was the art.

So has Xorn got a baby sun or a baby black hole in his brain now?

I dont think anyone else has commented on the different style of the book, what did everyone think about that? I thought it was a good idea and it worked well (Widescreen!)and it suited the issue very well- Yu knew what to do with the page and set it out well.

I would like to see Marvel try this comic-design with some other comics now.

[ 16-08-2001: Message edited by: Ellis ]
 
 
uncle retrospective
17:54 / 16.08.01
Just finished reading it and I thought it was great, loved the china thing but as I'm not an X fan I have no idea who the bit players were.

Liked Xorn and I'm intrested to see what happens, I just would have liked to have read this after the next newxmen issue.

Like the most of the art work, the backgrounds weren't up to Frank but the people were (mostly) drawn way better. (ducks and hides)

The only thing that pisses me off are costumes like Emma's. What a peice of shit, I'm not a 13yr old fan boy and this sort of thing was one of the reasons I kept away from superhero books. Or it's my Vertigo snobbery back.

Anyway rant over thumbs up.
 
 
Ganesh
19:41 / 16.08.01
When one is prepared to suspend disbelief of a universe where someone emits laser from their eye-sockets or converts to 'organic diamond' at will, it's hardly an enormous stretch to suppose that one can 'talk and have ideas and feelings' with a sun for a head...
 
 
Mr Tricks
20:16 / 16.08.01
No-Brian... SUN.

I just love the potential for the exploration of the source of consciousness... I can almost see a berbelithesque soul in body or body in soul question.

Did anyone else notice some very Invisible-esque themes at play here?

That catapillar girl might have been one of those Time suit type of creatures John-a-dreams & a young King Mog incountered in Philly.

Some outerchurch parralells as well...

others I can't recall at the moment (must re-read)

Yeah... all the Sexual undertones were a bit of a surprise... but ultimately served to sharpen the story's edge.

I loved the whole "has anyone met Risque?" line!!! does anyone even know that charactor?

I agree in wishing 116 was out before it... Oh well. Art was all bad... Quietly would have ROCK it though...
 
 
Tiki's Sifting Jewel Mansion
09:45 / 17.08.01
Am I the only one who didn't hate the art in this?
 
 
Imaginary Mongoose Solutions
09:45 / 17.08.01
"Can someone even attempt to explain this to me? Also, I'm not even clear on what his power is supposed to be, and what relation it has to the baby sun..."

There's a theory going about scientific circles, that in theory a star could be used as a giant computer. Morrison touched on this in DC 1MILLION and there's a character in THE MONARCHY who uses a White Dwarf star as a parallel processor.

[ 17-08-2001: Message edited by: kevin ]
 
 
Imaginary Mongoose Solutions
09:45 / 17.08.01
Risque was a sort-of-member of the old X-Force. She was shagging Warpath and working for a mutant named Sledge.

Yes, it's all as lame as it sounds.
 
 
e-n
09:45 / 17.08.01
aaarrrggghhh my local late night comic store has SOLD OUT already.The guy behind the counter was complaining that even thestaff can get copies, they have to read other peoples standing order.Nooooo.
One last hope.Mad dash into town tonight and grab it at Forbidden planet.
wish me luck!
 
 
Jamieon
10:07 / 18.08.01
Tiki, I think the reason people didn't like the art had something to do with the fact that it didn't flow, it wasn't terribly coherent, etc. Grant's compressed narrative bit only works really well when he has an artist who can render his ideas economically and efficiently. His stuff is very tight and very precise and Yu Just wasn't up to it.
 
 
Jamieon
10:27 / 18.08.01
Love Xorn. But don't like artists who draw scratchy "stars" around his head.
 
 
Jamieon
13:54 / 18.08.01
quote: The only thing that pisses me off are costumes like Emma's. What a peice of shit, I'm not a 13yr old fan boy and this sort of thing was one of the reasons I kept away from superhero books. Or it's my Vertigo snobbery back.

No, I just don't have a problem with this. It's in keeping with Hellfire Club getups, it's deviant, it's sex...... And why the hell not? It's the White Queen's thing (Fuck, even her name makes her sound like a dominatrix). Yeah, this'll appeal to the kids, but why can't a "superhero" (a concept Morrison is hacking away at with a sledgehammer) dress like a dancer in a Lil Kim Vid? Eh?

quote:So has Xorn got a baby sun or a baby black hole in his brain now?

He's back to having a sun for a brain. I think...... He's climbed out of the black hole of his depression, etc.

quote: I dont think anyone else has commented on the different style of the book, what did everyone think about that? I thought it was a good idea and it worked well (Widescreen!)and it suited the issue very well- Yu knew what to do with the page and set it out well.

No, he didn't. He fucking wasted the widescreen format. That two page spread of Xorn greeting the world again after his spell in Feng Tu was absolute bollocks. It should have felt powerful and moving etc - the bit where the music swells. But it wasn't. God, there's so many examples of Leneil fucking it up, I wouldn't know where to begin..... And I'm with Cam: Whilst some posters complain about Quitely's faces, he has such a good eye for posture, gesture, etc - nothing like some of the crap exaggerated poses (and slightly Liefeldy heads: Urrgh) Leneil curses his Xmen with.
And as for those stupid Manga speedlines....


That said, I didn't hate all of it. There were a few nice panels.
 
 
THX-1138
16:37 / 18.08.01
And what about Beast watching Star Wars and then a couple pages later we get the impression he has returned from a operating room? Who fucked up that?
 
 
Tamayyurt
23:50 / 18.08.01
Yeah, that was the only thing that really pissed me off!

But whatever, we all knew his patient was gonna die cause who the hell performs operations with "brutish paws" anyway?
 
 
Templar
23:56 / 18.08.01
With the Star Wars thing, why was that in? Morrison must have specified in the script: "In the background, Beast is watching Star Wars on a fairly large monitor. We see a close-up shot of Darth Vadar."

Why?

Is this some kind of hint? Or just a random reference?
 
 
Ronald Thomas Clontle
14:01 / 20.08.01
I've got a feeling that the Darth Vader/Star Wars thing had absolutely nothing to do with Grant and everything to do with Leinl Yu being a Star Wars fan and looking for a reason to draw Darth Vader.
 
 
Sandfarmer
09:50 / 21.08.01
Yeah, I'd guess the Star Wars thing was totally Yu. I liked it but it was out of pace with the story. (Unless Beast was performing surgery ont the couch.)

Overall, its a good comic.

The cover is horrible.

The art is hit and miss. Yu draws boobs and fight scenes as well as most. It's just his page layout that still needs some work. I liked the way he had Wolverine slicing people and Emma was very sexy.

The writing was great. Very true to the characters while still having the Morrison wit. Good stuff.

I found the Marvelscope or whatever they called it sideways thing a pain though. A sideways comic just does not sit in your lap right when you are laid out on the couch. Too floppy. If the cover was of a thicker material, it might be okay.
 
 
Elijah, Freelance Rabbi
17:51 / 21.08.01
when did cyclops stop sleeping with jean??
did he get hit on the head really hard? (fanboy lust in my voice on that one)

i understand he was taken over by apocalypse, but really, why no sex?

ENG
 
 
Molly Shortcake
18:22 / 21.08.01
Haven't read X-Men in ages. Got sick of mainstream comics in general.

The body is the battleground of the future, in both sci-fi (cyborgs, mutants, vampires, etc) and society (cloning, abortion, genetic enginerring, surgery, obesity, hardbodies). Morrison is one asute fellow. Gonna check this one out.

[ 21-08-2001: Message edited by: Ice Honkey/Grim Rapper ]
 
 
Ronald Thomas Clontle
14:31 / 22.08.01
quote:Originally posted by Elijah Non Grata:

i understand he was taken over by apocalypse, but really, why no sex?

ENG

I don't know, I really quite like the idea of him being an acetic priest-like man...it makes sense to me. And anything to drive Jean into the lust-crazed arms of Logan sounds like a good idea to me, storywise...
 
 
Tiki's Sifting Jewel Mansion
16:41 / 22.08.01
quote:Originally posted by runt:
Tiki, I think the reason people didn't like the art ....

Oh, I guess I am the only person who didn't hate the art. I understood why people don't like it. That wasn't the question.
 
 
Imaginary Mongoose Solutions
16:53 / 22.08.01
I don't know, I see there being three lust crazed arms she could end up in. I think Xavier, Emma, and Logan all have even odds.
 
 
Ronald Thomas Clontle
17:45 / 22.08.01
quote:Originally posted by kevin:
I don't know, I see there being three lust crazed arms she could end up in. I think Xavier, Emma, and Logan all have even odds.

What about Henry? She and Henry were rather touchy-feely the whole issue, and I found it interesting that in group shots, she was always with him, and Scott always is near Emma..

Man, I really want Emma to bag Scott. That would be fantastic.

Jean probably just likes Henry 'as a close friend' though...
 
 
Wyrd
17:06 / 23.08.01
quote:Originally posted by Flux = Rad:
<snipped Monologue by John Sublime:>

Brilliant! The idea is so sound that it's actually sort of amazing that no one had every thought to do something like this in the X-Men world before. I think it is especially great that the bestselling comic in the world is now forcing legions of fanboys to consider the politics of what is essentially transgender sexuality. Does anyone have any ideas or thoughts about this new storyline in relation to transgendering?[/QB]

I only just read this comic yesterday, so I'm getting to this late.

Actually when I read that speech in the comic the first thing I thought of was the Otherkin phenomenon. If you haven't heard of it it's people who think they have a soul of an Elf/Dragon/animal/whatever and don't have a human soul. They tend to congregate online a lot. I was quite struck by GM's speech as it could have been one of these guys talking. I didn't even think of the transgendered aspect at first.

It's also an idea that has been worked through by legions of Cyberpunk and SF writers since the 1980s - not to disparage GM doing it. Just that it has been done before (though obviously not in the X Universe). In fact, if you want to see a real life example, then check out this story I saw some weeks ago:
http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_365440.html

The guy wants to have fur grafted onto his body, so someone wanting wings will be the next (sorta) logical step.

Yep, there will be some strange evolutions in humanity in the coming years.
 
 
tSuibhne
13:21 / 28.08.01
quote:Originally posted by THX-1138:
And what about Beast watching Star Wars and then a couple pages later we get the impression he has returned from a operating room? Who fucked up that?

I took it to mean that Hank didn't perform the operation. He said in Grant's first issue that he was still getting used to his new paws. Why the hell would he try to do work with a scapel then? No, I made the assumption that the girl was taken to a hospital. And then the hospital called the apartment and told Hank the news.

Given Hank's admitted problems at the moment with dexterity, it just made no sense for him to be doing an operation.
 
 
DaveBCooper
14:36 / 28.08.01
I felt it was all a bit disappointing; the art was unclear too many times, and I've read it twice now without coming away with the usual sense of satisfaction that I do with Grant's work.

One example that comes to mind is the double-page spread where Domino's bringing them up to speed, and IIRC (don't have it to hand), it's far from clear whose speech bubbles to read next.

Having it come out before the issue that should have preceded it was a bit daft, but no real problem with that - you can gather what's going on. But it didn't feel like the 'event' that most of Grant's comics are, somehow.

DBC
 
 
rizla mission
21:41 / 28.08.01
The art ruined this one for me.

He seems to be one of those sad-ass artists who's obviously spent years and years drawing superhero figures, and can thus do it pretty well, but has absolutely no idea how to put them together in a coherent, narrative manner.. and the dumb 'widescreen' format didn't help either.

I liked Xorn, those would-be mutant people, the twisted insect girl etc., but half the time I didn't have a bloody clue what was going on .. it was like witnessing the occasional great Morrison idea shining through a maisma of inconsequential superhero bollocks..
 
 
Jamieon
21:49 / 28.08.01
Well, luckily you'll be seeing more of the U Men and Johnny Sublime in the "Germ Free Generation" storyline that kicks off in two issues time. Hopefully, that'll help clear some of your confusion up (unless Sciver buggers up his storytelling duties, too). I thought Yu's art had sod all flow, but I'm not so sure I didn't like the "Widescreen" format. In the right hands it could've been good.
 
 
Sandfarmer
00:01 / 30.08.01
I did not mind the art but I could name at least 20 cats of the top of my head who would have done it better.
 
  

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