Era #8, Part 06: Truth of Death

Grade: C+

Nostalgia is a powerful thing. I remember being excited when I heard that there was going to be a reunion of the New Mutants. As is often the case with extreme anticipation, the actual result didn't meet the hype that I built up in my head.

The New Mutants get together for a weekend together away from the current lives, but they come face-to-face with their younger selves. Ben Raab starts strong with each character attempting to reconcile their young dreams and aspirations with the realities of unexpected tragedies and difficult life decisions. Unfortunately, that solid lead-in quickly fades when Magik learns that her older brother Mikhail influenced her decision to attempt time-travel at the risk of a paradox. He has a plan to save her from her fatal fate as a victim of the Legacy Virus.

It isn't that this is a bad story, but I really hoped for more. I am not a big fan of Bernard Chang's art, and Mikhail is another character that I don’t find interesting.

SPOILER: This is still a worthwhile read. We get to see the New Mutants back together -- both past and present. We also learn HOW Illyana contracted the Legacy Virus in the first place (while confirming that Mikhail really is a selfish jerk).

[3-Stars] New Mutants: Truth or Death #1 - "Truth or Death" In the past (probably just before New Mutants #29 (1985)), the New Mutants decide to play a game of Truth or Dare that sends them to the future. They arrive in the present as Cannonball, Sunspot (both now with X-Force), Dani Moonstar, Wolfsbane, Douglock (both with Excalibur), Dani Moonstar, and Karma have the X-Mansion to themselves for a small class reunion.
- Signed by Bernard Chang!

[3-Stars] New Mutants: Truth or Death #2 - "Family Matters" Illyana learns that the Legacy Virus took her life. Her oldest brother Mikhail (whom she thought was dead) appears and explains that he may be able to save her from that fate. The present-day New Mutants do not trust Mikhail because of his past crimes (such as the death of the Morlocks back in Era 6, Part 05), but the younger New Mutants are willing to do anything to save their friend. The result is the inevitable battle between two hero groups -- New Mutants versus New Mutants.

[3-Stars] New Mutants: Truth or Death #3 - "Letting Go" The New Mutants watch as Mikhail begins a risky procedure to save Illyana from the Legacy Virus. It is a process that introduces the Legacy Virus into his younger sister in hopes that her body will develop an immunity. Spoiler alert: it does not.