Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews
Amazing X-Men #2
Marvel Comics
Aaron & McGuinness
The second issue of Amazing X-Men delivers a well written, beautiful looking read. The book doesn't bring Nightcrawler any closer back to the land of the living, but instead the cast of X-Men are brought closer to Nightcrawler. There is something to be said for a comic that is a fun read and brings a little something out of the ordinary to the table and that's what we have here.
This issue picks up with the X-Men being transported and separated into the land of the dead. The assumption is that this is Hell but it's not entirely clear what the place truly is. The book is narrated, although lightly, by Nightcrawler. This helps to introduce the situation and the characters but it does seem kind of odd that Nightcrawler has the ability to observe but not engage. Or does he? If he can then what is he waiting for?
The X-Men are split up into a couple of factions. Wolverine finds himself battling some band of mystic pirates. This aspect of the book was short lived but fairly interesting. The characters that Aaron throws out there for these scenes have some potential. Some of the other X-Men are experiencing loss of power but it doesn't appear Wolverine has this issue. This all plays into the aspect of the overall of mystery of where the X-Men are and what's going on.
McGuinness provides some lively and detailed pages in the art department. He seems to have ratcheted back the muscles and curves in this issue but he still fills the pages with details. His pirate and monster characters show particular imagination and plays to his strengths well. The book looks very good visually and is what you might think of when you picture a super hero comic book in your mind.
Amazing X-Men is still building up the overall story. While it's no secret to the reader that this story is bringing Nightcrawler back from the dead, the execution is proving that there is a story to be told in the process. This issue is a fun read and should be checked out. The excitement appears to be just getting started.
3 out of 5 Geek Goggles
