Magma and Mephisto go straight to Hell... for a nice and delightful date. The rest of the New Mutants wait up for her like an angry father with a shotgun.
The Good
One-shot of the year? I think so. This weirdly heartwarming (and not just because it's Magma and Mephisto... yes, I just wrote that) issue is an insane amount of fun. It's the most light-hearted book I've read in a while, and this issue has a great sense of humor to it. This story is really cool, and we get to see the "nice" side of Mephisto for once, instead of the man destroying marriages and trying to take over the world.
One of my favorite scenes in this issue is where Mephisto explains all the charity work he does on Earth and the reason why he does it. You may think that sounds ridiculous, but his explanation makes perfect sense. I love "nice guy" Mephisto, and I really want him to appear in more issues of this series. Abnett and Lanning made one of Marvel's biggest baddies into a lovable, mildly awkward suitor for Magma. Brilliance.
Normally, I don't read this book, but after reading and reviewing New Mutants 36, I'm hooked. Abnett and Lanning have shown me that you can write an X-Book without it being incredibly serious and rigid. Literally, I had a really dumb grin on my face the entire time I read this issue.
The art works perfectly with the writing: David Lopez on pencils, Alvaro Lopez on inks, and Val Staples on colors. It has an "Archie" feel to it with a lot more detail. It's bright, so the book pops of the pages, and the fun art works well with the fun story.
Warlock hiding a cat AKA Asgardian Secret in the closet? Awesome.
The Bad
I know this may sound cynical or weird, but I never thought I'd enjoy New Mutants so much that I'd give it a 5 out of 5.
The Verdict
New Mutants 37 is a prime example of what every comic needs now and then, a nice, fun fill-in issue that's just as good as the major story lines. This issue, even though it is an in-betweener, blew me away. I loved this simple and hilarious story line of Magma and Mephisto going on a date. We get to see a new side of Mephisto, which is incredibly likable and relate-able. The creative team on this issue is dynamite and the writing and art compliment each other perfectly. I know I said in the last issue that Warlock annoyed me, but I loved the few moments we got with him in here. I don't know if I'm weirdly in the Valentine's Day spirit or something, but this book tickled my heart strings and really brought me back to the days of awkward dates. I love this issue and I highly recommend it.