Writers: Nunzio Defilippis and Christina Weir
Artists: Mark A. Robinson (p), Pat Davidson and Scott Elmer (i)
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Plot:
After Kevin lets his rage get the better of him and he attempts to kill Donald Pierce with his death touch, we see Dani is able to use her illusion casting ability to bring a halt to Kevin's vengeful actions. We then rejoin the team back at the Academy where Kevin has decided he's too dangerous to be around others, while Dani is considering leaving as well because she doesn't see herself as having the ability, or the temperament to guide the next generation of mutants.
Comments:
Six issues into this new series and I'm still undecided as to whether I want to stick around for the long haul, or simply cut myself loose now that the first arc is done. I mean, I consider myself a big fan of the original New Mutants, and as such I'm fairly intrigued by this book's use of Dani Moonstar and Xi'an Coy, as well as the teaser appearance by Magma, and this issue cover which would seem to suggest we can expect an appearance by Rahne. However, while I'm delighted to see some of the original members working their way back into a regular title, the simple fact of the matter is that they are essentially supporting players in this book, while the main players are the new cast of young mutants who have been gathered together. I'm a little concerned because after six issues none of the new characters have really emerged beyond their initial characterizations. I mean we have the eternally cheerful Sofia, the scared of her own shadow Laurie, the seemingly intelligent, but quick tempered David, and the newest addition, "I made a very bad first impression on this group" Josh. Now I would have added Kevin to this list but apparently he's decided the best thing for him right now is to leave the only place that could teach him how to control his powers, because he feels that he's too dangerous to be around other people. In the end it's my overall disinterest in these younger characters that has me wondering if this book should stay on my pull list, and this issue's rather uninspired battle with Donald Pierce didn't exactly help matters.
As for the art, it's clear by now that the one thing this book has not got going for it is a solid art team, as six issues into the new series and we're already into our second artist. Now the art in this issue does have it's moments, as the scene where Kevin is using his death touch and he's subjected to one of Dani's illusions was a fairly effective sequence, and the training scene where we see Dani working out her frustrations in the Danger Room was equally impressive. However, most of the issue is marked by the rather awkward looking figure work and facial expressions that don't really succeed at conveying any expression beyond run-of-the-mill. I also find the absence of any real backgrounds in most of the panels to be a little disappointing, as the action plays out in largely empty voids. If nothing else it would've been nice to get a little insight into the new characters by actually putting some personal objects in their dorm rooms, beyond the photo-shop posters on the wall.
Final Word:
A rather dry reading experience in that after a rather abrupt finish to the battle with the surprising ineffective Donald Pierce the story shifts back to the Academy, where most of the attention is centered around cast and their deciding to either stick with their newfound band of friends, or strike it out on their own. Now this issue does manage to offer up a fairly unexpected development as the "death touch" sporting Kevin Ford decides to leave the team, and there's no scene where he's convinced to stay. However since the character never really emerged as a character that I really cared about one way or the other, it's a little difficult to get worked up over his departure beyond the simple fact that it was an unexpected move on the part of the writing team. I was glad to see Dani's decision to leave the book was reversed as at the moment it's the attention being directed her way that is keeping me invested in this title, and if she had left, my interest in this title would've left with her. Still, I'm not sure I'll be back next month as there's very little about this book that's really grabbing me beyond my loyalty to the original series.
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