Times for the X-Men haven’t been great lately. Cyclops was arrested in a confrontation with Agent Lundqvist. Magik decided to go on a covert mission with some of the members. Their target: Trevor Fitzroy & The Upstarts.
The mission didn’t go exactly to plan. They walked into a trap. During the fight, Juggernaut crossed a line. With blood on their hands, the team now awaits Cyclops’ return. Chances are he won’t be thrilled about this.
X-MEN #22 by Jed MacKay, Carlos Fabian Villa, Fernando Sifuentes and Clayton Cowles sets the stage for the upcoming “Age Of Revelation” storyline.
Let’s take a closer look at how this issue fares.
X-MEN #22 by Jed MacKay, Carlos Fabian Villa, Fernando Sifuentes and Clayton Cowles (Marvel Comics)
*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***
MacKay opens up with Cyclops getting his release from jail. Left with a haunting message form Lundqvist, his mood seems somewhat calm. This changes when Magik arrives for him. Their exchange tips off what readers knew was coming. One element that is hidden is Fiztroy’s reason of capture. The writing establishes the move as non heroic, but more of political strategy. In comparison to the other X-team books, this one maintains a more militaristic sense to it.
Fireworks do come sooner than later. The exchange with Beast and “Juggie” cranks up the intensity. Knowing a line was crossed, both argue their stance. It throws the reader a question of where they side. The fallout leaves Beast asking a theme very connected with this team concerning kills. Tensions are boiling everywhere as the story moves to its’ close.
Doug Ramsey shows up at their doorstep. Considering recent events, there is much pause on this appearance. It leads to a more out of character moment for Cyclops. With how he has been in recent years, this move is more awkward that surprising. It leads to a very dramatic close as a new era is upon the X-Men (again).
Villa steps in for art duties for this chapter. The opening chapter with Summers and Chief Robbins carries a casual vibe. It is interrupted by Magik via half panel image. At this stage, readers can see the tensions start brewing. This moves over to the Fiztroy segment. It is easily seen how buttons are being pushed. The space provides a great transition point for another face-off.
The conversation between Beast and Juggernaut doesn’t take long to explode. Readers watch as each panel conveys their views. A solid split-face image drives home their differing views. It becomes more gas on the fire once Cyclops returns. The art shows the team disfunction as he speaks his mind. Ramsey’s appearance throws more off via near full panel. His exchange with Cyclops brings a new arrogance to his answers. The team reactions are a bit more eye-raising. It takes nothing away from the final page. A full panel image sends everything into its’ latest event, ready or not.
OVERALL GRADE: 8
Who are these X-Men? Heroes? Killers? Something else? Those are some of the questions raised in this chapter. MacKay throws some conflicts into a greater scheme via the wriitng. Villa and the art team zoom in on the various takes before the end page. Once here, the X-Universe prepares to head into unknown chaos. Here we go again.
Let me know your thoughts on X-Men #22 in the comments below. Thanks for reading!