Tuesday, September 5, 2023

Era #11, Part 14: Gifted (Astonishing X-Men)

Grade: A+

Joss Whedon took a stab at scribing X-Men stories, and he came out swinging for the fences. Already well known for clever scripts and detailed characterizations from his work in television with Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Firefly, Joss attempted to bring his unique touch to this much-loved comic franchise. He did not disappoint. Partnered with artist John Cassaday, he launched a new title that felt as revolutionary as Grant Morrision's 2001 Manifesto. 

Cyclops forms a new X-Men team that includes Beast, Emma Frost, Shadowcat, and Wolverine with the goal of improving their public image as superheroes. Their first mission brings them up against a new terrorist threat, Ord of Breakworld. Meanwhile, respected and renowned geneticist Dr. Kavita Rao announces to the world that she developed a cure for the disease of mutants. The X-Men's investigation into both incidents not only uncovers a close connection between them but a darker conspiracy with far-reaching consequences.

The dialog is some of the best I've read in any X-Men title, and the complex stories challenge readers to decide where the line between good and evil really sits. I laughed at some of the great scenes (too many to even try and list here), but it was the thought-provoking moral dilemmas that stayed with me when I put the issues down.


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