Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews
Wolverine And The X-Men #1
Marvel Comics
Aaron, Bachalo & Townsend
Having read a ton of number issues over the last few months I feel I have the criteria down as to what I believe a first issue should contain. They need to introduce the characters, establish some sort of definition as to why the book exists and the book needs to be entertaining. The entertaining portion could be a lot of action or an interesting plot. This book? This book entertains in even a better way: it has chemistry among the characters. The book flows nicely as well as rolling out the character and letting the reader understand exactly why the book “matters”. I found this issue to not only be one of the best first issues I’ve read but it is also among the top ten books I’ve read this year.
The gist of the book is really straightforward. Wolverine creates a school for mutants, much like Xavier had done years before. This issue centers around the school getting an inspection from local government officials. Wolverine and his co-headmaster, Kitty, give the inspectors a nice tour.
The tour serves a couple of purposes. First of all, it sets the humorous tone for the entire book. Secondly, it introduces many of the characters. Third, it provides a good tour of the physical facility for the reader. Finally, it gives the reader an understanding of the challenges that are already imbedded within the school, whether its disgruntled mutants or technology that is already on the fritz.
The book ends with the revealed threat and a decent cliffhanger but the magic of the book occurred over the beginning half of the book. Aaron provides an overwhelming amount of dialogue when you consider it isn’t really countered with any sort of action. However, it all works because the tone is so light and yet gives insight into so many of the characters. If only every comic book managed to put unique voices to its characters. This one did and it made the issue so much easier and more fun to read through.
Usually when a book has three inkers that leads to disaster but not here. Bachalo generally has a style that is similar to that of Ramos. It’s a fun and cartoon-like style and it obviously fits perfectly with what Aaron is trying to get to here. I didn’t notice the three inkers at all and I was also surprised to see in the credits that Bachalo did the colors as well. Overall, the book is a light style, which may not be everyone’s cup of tea but it works here.
The book is a solid read all the way through and it is rounded out with a teaser of things to come, a run down of the classes that the school is offering up and a roster/role pinup. Everything about this issue is enjoyable and when you consider I only picked this up based on a recommendation I would say I was pleasantly surprised. If you have any interest at all in X-Men or Wolverine then this is a must read.
5 out of 5 Geek Goggles
