X-Men #1 Review

X-MEN #1

by Brian Wood and Oliver Copiel

Hm. What a 200th post. 

So, X-Men #1 is the first chapter to a new series focusing on an all-new female subdivision of the team. From what I've seen so far, I love it. Brian Wood gets the train rolling in a similar vein to Hickman's Avengers, focusing on the origins of the human race, but this time from a sort of mutant/human or male/female perspective. Most of this issue focuses on Jubilee, a character I've never really been fond of, but he makes her a likable character. Wood spends a lot of the issue setting the stage for the future, but it never feels boring. One of my favorite moments of the issue, was the return of John Sublime, one of the most sadistic villains from Grant Morrison's New X-Men run. I loved seeing him back, but with an entirely different attitude towards mutants. The plotting of the issue is perfect as well, as you never feel like you're skimming through the pages. Now, the only thing I didn't like about X-Men #1, was the lack of Psylocke. Recently, I read about three fourths of Rick Remender's awesome Uncanny X-Force run, and I loved her in it. However, the way things are going it looks like we're going to be seeing Betsy back soon enough.

Oliver Copiel is the perfect artist for this book. It's colorful, and kinetic, and rife with insanity. He makes the X-Girls look beautiful, but not to the point where it's Rob Liefeld or Guillem March (remember the original cover for Catwoman #0?) cheesecake. He's the kind of guy you'd want drawing a book with a female lead (or in this case, leads). Plus, he just draws the cutest damn baby you will ever see.

X-Men #1 was an awesome start to what could be one of my favorite new series. Brian Wood plants the seeds to what could be an epic story, and Oliver Copiel's art perfectly compliments the set up.

STORY: 4.5/5

+ Things are looking epic

+ Good character writing

+ Jubilee's very likable

+ John Sublime!

+ Very interesting setup

- Not enough Psylocke

ART: 5/5

+ Looks absolutely gorgeous

+ The girls look good but it's not girl show

+ Mark Morales's finishes look great

VERDICT: 4.5/5