Review by Karl Verhoven
As was the case last time, this follows Vol. 5 numerically, but much has happened in between, as detailed in the start to Fall of the House of X/Rise of the Powers of X. That was published simultaneously with these chapters, and events here reflect what’s happening there, although until the final knockings Gerry Duggan ensures readers of Vol. 6 are kept up to speed without having to read other titles. As this opens, the machinations of Orchis have suffered a serious setback, but they’re not entirely out of business as they’ve polluted the medicines provided to humanity by the scientists on Krakoa. Activating their inserted genetic kill code will murder millions of people, and the X-Men will be blamed.
Synch has been core to the X-Men over the past few volumes without ever hitting the spotlight, but Gerry Duggan now changes that. His primary capability is imitating the powers of other mutants in his vicinity, or at greater distance at extensive personal cost, but the key to his presence here is the millennia he and Talon spent together in an artificial environment. It leads to tragedy underscoring everything he does. Duggan writes a great line about it in “Synch’s heart skipped so loudly that Wolverine heard it. Both X-Men ignored it”. In context that’s a passing heartbreaker.
It’s also apparent that events Duggan seemed to have glossed over, or referenced in passing are to be dealt with as he uses his final X-Men chapters to tidy up multiple loose ends in a crowd pleasing way. Lockheed is returned, Dr Doom’s X-Men are seen again, Magik is back, and Duggan’s controversial recasting of Kitty Pryde as an avenging warrior might only be a passing phase.
The art is split between Phil Noto and Joshua Cassara. Noto’s style is clean and clear, and his pages are thoughtful with characters such as Magik looking exhausted as the art reflects her condition. Joshua Cassara’s pages don’t have Noto’s precision, and his Emma Frost is appallingly objectified, but he’s better when it comes to people moving and his morphing flesh piles are great. So, swings and roundabouts, but all the art shines.
Duggan’s ending is rather awkward in that’s a not really an ending at all, which isn’t entirely his choice. For closure concerning this incarnation of the X-Men you will need to pick up the Fall of the House of X/Rise of the Powers of X trade, which is a pity.
During his run over six volumes it’s often seemed as Duggan’s attention constantly wanders somewhere else, but with every mutant at his disposal the playground is extensive and perhaps that’s understandable. It’s always been good, and often sparkled nonetheless, and that applies to this final selection offering some finely conceived character moments, some liberating action and most people where you’d want them.
