Review by Frank Plowright
New X-Men continues the troubles of a dozen mutant teens split over two teams and working out their troubles while learning to work together. Writers Nunzio DeFilippis and Christina Weir open X-Posed by clearing up their weakest long-running plot, the attraction of mutant in good standing Rahne Sinclair to pupil Elixir. It’s never been convincing, and were there not so much else going on it could have derailed the remainder.
A fair few other problems were worked through in Haunted, and here for the first time the wider X-Men continuity impacts on the series, with the realities of life as an X-Man forcefully and tragically brought home. The resulting episode is drawn extremely attractively by Michael Ryan, but wallows in inevitable sentimentality as the cast discuss their feelings and fears over what’s happened.
Paco Medina’s art is technically good on a further two celebratory chapters, but doesn’t pick up on the tone well enough. His sample art shows Sooraya, whose purpose has largely been to provide a different viewpoint into dress and behaviour, yet he poses her relatively provocatively despite her strict Muslim views.
As has been the case throughout, teen drama is the priority, and the impression given here is of DeFilippis and Weir using ever more words to act it out. Because there are so many possibilities it never becomes repetitive, but for the first time, in places it’s beginning to seem strained. Also for the first time a genuine super villain turns up here, one powerful enough to take on everyone. After all the training, it’s interesting to see who’s ready to put theory into practice.
The collection ends with what was an annual. With tensions running high, a team bonding session around the campfire is the prescription. Georges Jeanty’s art delivers the cast, but there’s not enough to counterpoint the disagreements, and too much comes across as too petty.
By the end of the main continuity it doesn’t look good for the future of the New X-Men, and that plays out first in the changed world of House of M: No More Mutants. Fans should also check out New X-Men: Hellions, which takes place slightly beforehand. The entire series by DeFilippis and Weir other than the House of M crossover is also available as New X-Men: Academy X – The Complete Collection.
