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Wolverine & the X-Men #12 - Hounded Review

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Rachel steps up in the latest issue of WOLVERINE AND THE X-MEN, but whose side is she on?

The Good

I love Chris Bachalo on this book. There were some moments I wasn't crazy about, but overall I think he captures a lot of emotion and excitement with his focus on particular moments in the issue. The scene where Rachel is speaking to Hope, for example, is beautiful. I think he did a great job illustrating emotion in this scene.

For a story that feels as if it's fallen a little bit flat (anyone else getting tired of every one of these characters chasing after Hope?), this issue was a little bit more refreshing. This issue is less about Hope and her relationship with the Phoenix Force and more about Rachel's position and where she stands. It's appropriate that the focus of this issue is on Rachel considering she once had the power of the Phoenix, so it's nice to see how she deals with it emotionally.

I think it's neat that you get the sense that Rachel really isn't on anyone's side anymore -- that shes on her own side. So there's some depth to this story, something we haven't seen a whole lot of during this story arc.

The Bad

There was some very confusing scenes in this issue. Like I said, overall I loved Chris Bachalo's art in this issue, but some of the first few pages are kind of confusing because so much seems to be going on. It's unclear as to what exactly is happening in some of these scenes.

There also doesn't seem to be a whole lot of progress happening in this issue. I think that the story arc (Avengers Vs. X-Men) is beginning to take its toll on me as a reader, and maybe that's why this issue feels so bland. It's definitely a little bit strange to see Rachel's conversation with a brainwashed Cyclops. If you read the INFINITE last week, then you know that Scott has been consumed by the Phoenix Force, and that it's taken over his mind. It's even stranger to see him telling Rachel that the Phoenix Force loves her. So bizarre.

The Verdict

I think there is definitely plenty I did like about this issue. I love that Rachel was basically thee sole focus of this book. That she stood for herself and stood up to a brainwashed Cyclops, that she allows a certain character to make up her own mind and come to her own decision. I loved that Rachel took center stage and really stepped it up in this issue, and how she's basically chosen her own side. This was all really great. What I don't really understand is her interaction with Cyclops who is walking around like he's been possessed.

14 Comments
Posted by Nightwing_22

Well isn't it because he's technically been "possessed"? And i agree i was slightly confused at the start, but i guess it's because the whole "glam" of AvX has kind of worn off and i'll read the main issue but not all the tie in's

Posted by Master_Thief

you would think rachel would be the phoenix rather then hope

Posted by Hareil0079

Don't forget to mention that the scene as Scott and Rachael were walking and flowers growing at his feet. (Can't wait til the wananbe x-fans still say that cyke has everything under control and can handle the PF and that it's all avengers fault that the PF is consuming Cyke)

Since Hope was willing to fight the X-men I wonder how many still feel she was kidnapped and taken without her own consent/against her will

I'm telling you, the little details in all these tie-ins and the main book, everyone is over looking and are actually shaping out the outcome pretty quick.

By far this week though X-Men Legacy was the best issue for me.

Posted by jaredbright

I always wonder how they let Bachalo draw it however he wants. Given, he's been around a while. But I read an recent issue that totally confused me.

Posted by sparty-dbq

Thor has been getting his ass kicked through this entire thing. This makes four different series in which his just gets worked over.

Edited by Lokheit

I completly hated 2 things from this comic, both of them related with writter not taking in consideration what others wrote:

1st: Beast. He cleared decided to not aid the Avengers when they decided to attack the X-Men to kidnap hope. This issue is clearly after that (the P5 are there and the Avengers are in control of Hope), and Beast is shown as a convinced follower of the Avengers actions...

2nd: Cyclops portrayal. It's very different from other issues. WatXM is clearly the "we don't like Scott Summers" book, and I think Aaron couldn't overcome his need to desfigurate Scott's image on this book.

And a combination of both: Beast saying all that stuff about how crazy and fanatic Scott is when in the main title he said he likes what they're doing with the world and doesn't see anything bad (and also called them friends instead of crazy fanatics...) to the point of not joining the avengers...

This is what happens with tie-ins, if writters aren't on the same line, they end up with confusing parts. And this isn't the first one that happens with WatXM, when Wolverine was kicked from a plane by Cap. he then found Hope and went to the Moon... but then there was that visit to the school by Cyclops that doesn't fit in time with the main book...

What I liked the most was Archangel starting to find new powers and continuing with his evolution since being revived by the Seed of Life.

I like Aaron writting, but everytime he writes anything about Scott, it's like he's trying to justify the ton of cr@p that was Schism (unjustified split of the mutants at the time Wolverine respected Scott the most, just for the sake of new books...) trying to show Scott as bad, dumb and fanatic.

I don't even think Schism was his decission (things this big are decided in reunions) but he was the writter and I think he still feels the need to prove that arc had some justification.

Posted by n25philly

Ugh, any book Bachalo do should automatically be a -5 stars. Seriously Marvel, get someone that can draw instead of constantly shoving this crap on the x-books.

Posted by NKRoots300
@Lokheit: when Wolverine was kicked from a plane by Cap. he then found Hope and went to the Moon... but then there was that visit to the school by Cyclops that doesn't fit in time with the main book...

http://www.squidoo.com/avengers-vs-x-men

Here it's explained why it makes sense. In short W&tXM #10 takes place in the middle of AvX #3 after Avengers returned from Utopia and before Wolverine flew with Cap to be kicked from the plane in some part of Antarctic inhabited by Polar Bears.

But stiil there are a lot of other examples of inconsistency in this event mostly on behalf of Aaron (who, by the way is one of five architects who write main series which makes it even worse). In the very same tenth issue of W&tXM after Cyclops' visit a bunch of mutant teachers including Gambit and Chamber say that they're gonna go fight Avengers but in same week X-Men: Legacy (by that hairy greek whom some people often confuse with that black guy from New Avengers) the very same Gambit and Chamber (and some others) are saying that it's better to stay in school and keep teaching students. In first issue of AvX when Cap talk with Wolverine about Phoenix, Logan says that because Phoenix killed Jean, Scott won't be happy with it returning. But in W&tXM in whal looks like sthe very same scene he says that Utopia with Cyclops in head is a bunch of religious fanatics who will happily welcome giant fiery bird on Earth.

Posted by Owie

I pretty much agree with the whole review.  Great art, although confusing in a few scenes.  Great to see Rachel get some focus.  I've always liked her, and this gives her her due.
 
The only thing that annoys me is that I planned to never but Wolverine and the X-Men because of Wolverine being in the title.  An now it turns out to be a quality book!  Gotta go with the quality and ignore the title.

Edited by feargalr

This book continues to be a great (maybe the best) X-Men series.... can't believe I didn't like this at start.

Posted by Lokheit

@n25philly said:

Ugh, any book Bachalo do should automatically be a -5 stars. Seriously Marvel, get someone that can draw instead of constantly shoving this crap on the x-books.

Bachalo >>>>> JR JR who was the main event artist for 6 issues... If we can stand Romita without loosing our eyeballs, there is absolutely no problem with Bachalo. And when the scenes aren't too crowded, I like Bachalo art and his take on some characters (specially beast).

@NKRoots300 said:

@Lokheit: when Wolverine was kicked from a plane by Cap. he then found Hope and went to the Moon... but then there was that visit to the school by Cyclops that doesn't fit in time with the main book...

http://www.squidoo.com/avengers-vs-x-men

Here it's explained why it makes sense. In short W&tXM #10 takes place in the middle of AvX #3 after Avengers returned from Utopia and before Wolverine flew with Cap to be kicked from the plane in some part of Antarctic inhabited by Polar Bears.

But stiil there are a lot of other examples of inconsistency in this event mostly on behalf of Aaron (who, by the way is one of five architects who write main series which makes it even worse). In the very same tenth issue of W&tXM after Cyclops' visit a bunch of mutant teachers including Gambit and Chamber say that they're gonna go fight Avengers but in same week X-Men: Legacy (by that hairy greek whom some people often confuse with that black guy from New Avengers) the very same Gambit and Chamber (and some others) are saying that it's better to stay in school and keep teaching students. In first issue of AvX when Cap talk with Wolverine about Phoenix, Logan says that because Phoenix killed Jean, Scott won't be happy with it returning. But in W&tXM in whal looks like sthe very same scene he says that Utopia with Cyclops in head is a bunch of religious fanatics who will happily welcome giant fiery bird on Earth.

The fact that he's one of the architects makes me fear a lot about what will happen with Cyclops at the end of the event. And the worst of all? He writes the final issue of the main event. As I said, I usually like his writting, but his characterization of Cyclops is always horrible because he needs to justify for Schism. If he writes the final issue, I think he's going to kill Cyclops and that would mean 2 of my 3 fav. characters dead :S (Cyclops, Emma and Nightcrawler).

Posted by noj

@Lokheit: It seems to me that maybe Beast changed his mind about the whole situation after he learned that Hope actually didnt want to be with the X-Men anymore and chose to stay with the Avengers and now its the X-Men that are chasing her against her will instead of the Avengers. Plus I feel like there is a bit more between the last issue of Avengers vs X-Men and this issue that we havent seen yet.

Posted by Super_SoldierXII

This issue established that Wolverine's index finger is more dangerous than his claws. Lol.

Edited by comic_shaun

As much as the idea of this title is great. I mean who does'nt want wolverine as a headteacher..heh.heh. I cannot help but feel that this AvX main event has corrupted the series run now as it detracts to more fighting than following any kind of story.And as much as I like Chris bachalo's artwork I have to say, this issue disappointed me.

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