For The Love of Reviews - X-Men Divided We Stand
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I had a pleasant surprise tonight.
I picked up the first issue of X-Men: Divided We Stand because, let’s face it, I’m an X-men addict, but I wasn’t in any hurry to read it since I didn’t expect much more than creative wanking and filler until the X-Men reformed in the upcoming Uncanny #500.
I couldn’t have been more wrong. This was a really interesting issue with several short stories from several creators exploring the fall-out from Messiah Complex and the Cyclops‘ dissolution of the X-Men and there was not a single story in this issue that was anything less than excellent.
Mike Carey explored Cannonball’s certainty that the war was not over and determination to maintain his edge. Craig Kyle and Chris Yost examined Nehzno’s concept of home and his status as an outsider in his homeland with some gorgeous art by Sana Takeda. Chris Yost wrote a solo story about Hellion’s love for the X-Men and what happens when he’s abandoned by those he loves. Matt Fraction wrote a tale of revenge, forgiveness, and transcendence featuring Nightcrawler and Scalphunter.
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My favorite story, though, was written and drawn by Skottie Young. He uses Anole to explore the effects of the X-Men turning children into soldiers for a cause and then throwing them away when you’re done with them, sending them back into a “normal” life.
Incidentally, on a totally “it doesn’t even matter” note, am I the only one in the world that didn’t know Anole is gay? Like I said, it doesn’t matter, and I guess I shouldn’t be surprised since I never even really paid attention to New X-Men, but it still surprised me - in a good way. It’s cool to see a gay character depicted in a non-stereotypical fashion so that their orientation doesn’t define everything they do and someone like me wouldn’t even know that about them. Kudos to that team - Yost and Kyle, I believe?
These are all very melancholy stories with the common theme expressed eloquently that the X-Men, and Cyclops in particular, ruined these people’s lives when they disbanded.
I’m sure the dreaded RJP will be happy to know that this book reminded me of why I’ve always hated Cyclops - he really is a self-centered prick.
I’ve always hated the “stars” or “scale” rating system, so let’s just say that this is easily one of my four most recommended issues of the month.
Get out there and read it!
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Comments
*shrug* Oh well, it’s not like his sexual orientation really matters, anyway. I just found it interesting.
Have you read Divided We Stand Yet, AJ?
I heard some sad news, although likely just rumors but the LCS out here in PoMo, ppl were talkin that Cyclops is a Skrull ’cause of a dozen reasons but mainly what yeah mentioned on how he has been acting of late OR if he’s not a Skrull, Cyclops is being “Controlled”. Blah. Bullshit, Cyce’s just a f***king asss***le now. BTW - Does ANY notice how not one single book since the last issue of Messiah Craplex has any X-Men freaked out that Prof. X just disappeared?! I aint reading all the X-Books but does any mutant care? Not that they should but you would think that someone would take notice and start looking for his remains.
I remember a time when the X-Men cared for Xavier and now, what they can’t blink an eye ’cause they are all too busy running secret black ops or pouting ’cause for the billionth time the X-Men have been disbanded… again. Oh wait, they are just waiting for Cyclops to make the call for them to get together but he’s too busy shooting teenage mutants out the windows of coffee shops to prove his point.
Only Fractions story was decent and worked for me ’cause of the artist otherwise the rest of the book was lame and I was a huge Cannonball fan when he used to be written well. Now he’s the scapegoat farmboy turning goth/emo hardcore. *yawn*
That made no sense, Robert.
One, I don’t recall a time where the X-Men ever disbanded, save pre-Giant Size. Changed rosters like people change socks, yes, but not said “No more X-Men”
Two, if the X-Men have disbanded, Anole and Hellion weren’t around - they have a right to feel abandoned.
Four, how is Cannonball a scapegoat farmboy, much less goth/emo?
You’re just slinging shit and seeing what sticks, Rob - you can do better.
Yes, CB, you’re the only one who didn’t know Anole was gay.
=P