Welcome to an all new edition of Parlay points! It’s the comic book review blog to the ODPH Podcast!
For this entry, the end of the Krokoan era rolls on via Marvel Entertainment. The world of the X-Men is shattered. Wounded and broken, the surviving members take one last shot at taking down Orchis. An unlikely ally has stepped up to help. Will it be enough to turn the tide?
FALL OF THE HOUSE OF X #3 by Gerry Duggan, Lucas Werneck, Jethro Morales, Bryan Valenza, and Travis Lanham brings forth the latest installment of the X-Men’s last stand.
Let’s see how the Children of The Atom are doing now.
FALL OF THE HOUSE OF X #3 by Gerry Duggan, Lucas Werneck, Jethro Morales, Bryan Valenza, and Travis Lanham (Credit: Marvel Entertainment – Cover: Pepe Larraz)
*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***
Ever since the Hellfire Gala, Orchis has been running rough shot over the X-Men and mutantkind as a whole. The evil organization is on the cusp of eliminating Xavier’s dream. Standing in their way is a skeleton crew of X-Men leaving it all on the line to survive.
This chapter begins with Juggernaut dragging a weakened Krokoa through a desert land. Usually Cain Marko is unstoppable. This is until an adamantium harpoon is impaled in his leg. Orchis soldiers have arrived in reworked SHIELD transportation and begin to open fire on the pair. Juggernaut is doing all he can to fight back but the situation looks grim. Luckily, help is on the way….
Elsewhere in France, Cyclops has escaped execution due to the interference of Orchis R&D director Dr. Alia Gregor. The pair heads into the underground area of the Seine river. They’re greeted by Orchis forces which Cyclops handles with ease. Magik appears and provides transportation to a familiar spot X-Men fans know all too well.
Readers don’t have time to process that as events shift back to a major thorn in the X-Men’s side: Dr. Stasis (A version of Mr. Sinister). Stasis is on the run from Emma Frost with the life of Firestar hanging in the balance.
Will Emma and company save Firestar? What does Cyclops and Dr. Gregor find in their new surroundings? Talk about moving parts, there’s a whole portion of the book focused on Apocalypse that we haven’t discussed!
Trust me when I say there is a whole mix of drama and action that will lock readers in. This is classic X-Men storytelling. The final pages will leave readers in suspense as events shift into an uncharted direction. This series is living up to the hype as an event! Get ready for a knockout chapter!
FALL OF THE HOUSE OF X #3 by Gerry Duggan, Lucas Werneck, Jethro Morales, Bryan Valenza, and Travis Lanham (Credit: Marvel Entertainment – Cover: David Yardin)
Duggan gives fans much to be excited with this latest installment. The Cyclops storyline has been a major driver for this series. The dynamic between Dr. Gregor and Summers has made for an unlikely pairing. Duggan gives them a solid meeting point to grow from. The conclusion of their pairing is a shocking twist to readers.
The moment fans will be most talking about is the Emma Frost vs. Stasis drama. Duggan paces events off with a strong pace that never lets a moment slip by. The conclusion is well done. It plays right into the characters involved, including a moment of “inadequately” that will get a quick laugh. Juggling so many characters, Duggan gives all the stories enough time to grow and hook fans in. The ending only raises stakes higher heading into the final stretch.
Werneck and Morales take the art duties for this issue. The Cyclops escape comes off dramatically with a solid near full page panel to showcase his powers. The Emma/Stasis drama ranges from heart-stopping action to split panels building towards a full page image demonstrating a devastating attack. It’s fallout mixes in small humor that can only be done by Emma Frost with a memorable reunion to end with. The final pages will shock and catch readers off-guard. It caps off a chapter that doesn’t delay in speeding things into the next phase.
FINAL POINT: 9
The X-Men do not hear a final bell as their last stand vs. Orchis continues! Duggan balances the dramatic atmosphere with big moments. The art team of Werneck, Morales, Valenza and Lanham give readers much to enjoy with strong visuals leaving a lasting imprint heading into the next phase.
Hit me up on ODPH social media and let me know your thoughts on Fall Of The House Of X #3! Thanks for reading!