Marvel Comics
All New X-Men #4 Review
By Alexander Jones
December 20, 2012 - 19:29
Marvel Comics
Writer(s): Brian Micheal Bendis
Penciller(s): Stuart Immonen
Inker(s): Wade Von Grawbadger
Colourist(s): Marte Gracia
Letterer(s): VC's Cory Petit
Cover Artist(s): Stuart Immonen
$3.99 US
It is difficult in these reviews too not sound redundant but wow was that a good issue. The plot of All New X-Men 4 is thin but that is not what the comic book is about. Seeing all of these brand new concepts and ideas introduced into the X-Men universe is great in theory. What makes this comic unique and truly grandiose is the fact that the character are being so heavily focused on. The X-Men have gone through so much over the past few years that almost anything done with the group of characters is in danger of feeling mundane. Character in a big story like this is what matters and so far Bendis and Immonen are nailing each and every chapter.
Most of the issue is a mental examination of Cyclops. The character of Scott Summers also known as Cyclops is a fragile state of complete emotional decay. His psyche is slowly tearing apart along with every single personal relationship that he is ever had. Scott and Emma as a couple seem to be withering away in a foul black decay. Jean being shiny and young has truly caught the apple in the eye of Scott Summers. The issue does an exceptional job of showing the inner turmoil of Scott when he catches eyes on Jean. A question the relationship brings to mind is whether or not Scott truly even leaves Jean. He only seems to love the innocence and beauty she represented at one point in his life.
In this issue the older X-Men are also characterized very well. You get a real sense of loss for the team and the fact that they have no idea what is happening. They also refer to future Scott as Evil Scott which is telling of how they view the world. Original Jean also awakens her psychic powers and she begins to mirror a newer Jean that is in fact dead. What Bendis is really saying with these characters is that due to the bleak situation of the newer Marvel universe the characters are growing up extremely fast. There is a loss of innocence that prevails when thinking about the few moments that the original X-Men have spent in the current Marvel Universe. The end of the issue is of course going to send mixed feelings to any longtime X-Men fans. The character of Beast goes into cardiac arrest and the question is if Beast truly dies how long will he stay dead? Once again the gorgeous visuals that Immonen renders only turns the comic into a truer work of art. All New X-Men is a can’t miss title for any fan of the current Marvel Universe.
Rating: 9.5/10
