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amyacowan's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
billyjepma's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
There’s some solid stuff here—and the event is never better than when it leans into the playful pomp and circumstance—but it suffers from all the classic problems of a comic crossover, which dilutes the collection significantly. Part of the problem is with me, I acknowledge, considering most of the tie-ins here are less about the events of the Gala than they are continuations of the ongoing stories in their respective books. I can’t speak to the quality of those books, but the showings here range from fine to skippable, at best.
Artwork is pretty stellar across the board, though, and the costuming alone made this something I’m glad I dove into, even if the storytelling in the tie-ins didn’t do much for me. Mileage will vary, but there’s no denying the genius of turning this premise into a proper event.
Artwork is pretty stellar across the board, though, and the costuming alone made this something I’m glad I dove into, even if the storytelling in the tie-ins didn’t do much for me. Mileage will vary, but there’s no denying the genius of turning this premise into a proper event.
smtvash's review
4.0
The costumes, the parties, the drinking, the festivities!
The Hellfire Gala was a unique event that felt often times like a celebration and fan service, getting to see our faves attend a party unlike any other.
Can't say it was satisfying though from a narrative sense as more future promises are made and nothing gets resolved.
As an evening out, it's amazing. As an X-arc, its much like everything else in Hickman's run for this title: filled with spectacle, fashion, and promise... and never really going on beyond that.
The Hellfire Gala was a unique event that felt often times like a celebration and fan service, getting to see our faves attend a party unlike any other.
Can't say it was satisfying though from a narrative sense as more future promises are made and nothing gets resolved.
As an evening out, it's amazing. As an X-arc, its much like everything else in Hickman's run for this title: filled with spectacle, fashion, and promise... and never really going on beyond that.
brandonadaniels's review
3.0
This collection is worth it for Planet Sized X-Men alone. There are some fun bits in the other issues, and I think that SWORD issue 6 may only be collected here for some reason.
The word dominion is said about a half dozen times. Sinister compares himself to a god several times. Some fun foreshadowing perhaps.
The word dominion is said about a half dozen times. Sinister compares himself to a god several times. Some fun foreshadowing perhaps.
lanternatomika's review
4.0
Ladies and gentlemen, you could’ve been anywhere in the world tonight, but you couldn’t possibly miss out on Emma Frost’s ridiculous fashion choices, so welcome to the Hellfire Gala!
The idea of the Gala is pretty interesting. In theory, all the X books have taken a break from their ongoing storylines to let their characters get up to some shenanigans. There are major events taking place at the Gala, but I guess they’re old news now as far as the Krakoan Age is concerned.
In practice, the Gala issues are still written by the writers of their books, so your mileage is gonna vary there. The X-Factor issue was only slightly less annoying than usual, but I still struggled with Excalibur. I should also point out that a few of these issues do still build on the events of their books, so those can be tough reads for folks who pick up this Red Carpet Collection. A pretty good rule of thumb is to skip any issues from titles you weren’t reading.
You also get a bonus issue from Claremont’s run, showcasing one of the old school Hellfire Galas, but it doesn’t really contribute anything to the narrative of this book.
The X-Men issue is still the best one, followed closely by Planet Sized. I also continue to be one of the ten fans of Benjamin Percy’s writing, and I was unexpectedly thrilled by SWORD.
Now, you could just pick up the trade collection of this Gala to get all the essentials, so is The Red Carpet Collection worth it? Unless you’re weird about your book collection like I am, that’s gonna be a no from me. Most of the Gala issues are collected in the trades of each book, so if that’s how you’re reading Krakoa, this is an easy skip.
Overall, interesting concept, especially making it an annual shindig, but it isn’t any more or less enjoyable than these books usually are.
The idea of the Gala is pretty interesting. In theory, all the X books have taken a break from their ongoing storylines to let their characters get up to some shenanigans. There are major events taking place at the Gala, but I guess they’re old news now as far as the Krakoan Age is concerned.
In practice, the Gala issues are still written by the writers of their books, so your mileage is gonna vary there. The X-Factor issue was only slightly less annoying than usual, but I still struggled with Excalibur. I should also point out that a few of these issues do still build on the events of their books, so those can be tough reads for folks who pick up this Red Carpet Collection. A pretty good rule of thumb is to skip any issues from titles you weren’t reading.
You also get a bonus issue from Claremont’s run, showcasing one of the old school Hellfire Galas, but it doesn’t really contribute anything to the narrative of this book.
The X-Men issue is still the best one, followed closely by Planet Sized. I also continue to be one of the ten fans of Benjamin Percy’s writing, and I was unexpectedly thrilled by SWORD.
Now, you could just pick up the trade collection of this Gala to get all the essentials, so is The Red Carpet Collection worth it? Unless you’re weird about your book collection like I am, that’s gonna be a no from me. Most of the Gala issues are collected in the trades of each book, so if that’s how you’re reading Krakoa, this is an easy skip.
Overall, interesting concept, especially making it an annual shindig, but it isn’t any more or less enjoyable than these books usually are.
cassie_grace's review
3.0
It’s not quite an “comics event” just a literal event that all the ongoing titles pass through. Still, it’s fun to see everyone’s outfits. Some great parts and some filler.
john0824's review
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
mtdmali's review
4.0
I didn't really know what to expect given the premise of a “Mutant Met Gala”, but it didn't disappoint! Making Mars the homeworld for Arrako, and the capital of the Solar System, was completely unexpected and the sets up some really interesting stories going forward. Maybe I just wasn't paying close enough attention, but I wish the main X-Men series had more a of build to that revelation. I would have given 5 stars had some of the tie-ins not been completely skippable.
ferzemkhan's review
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0