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A review by jayisthebird
The New Mutants Classic Vol. 1 by Chris Claremont
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Claremont and McLeod create interesting new characters, but the second half of the volume struggles when transitioning pencilers, figuring out the group's dynamic, and suffers from a boring crossover with Team America.
The high point of the run and art is the graphic novel and first three issues. McLeod's expressive cartoony faces do an excellent job of showing the drama and challenge of coming into one's identity which we see both in the quick origins of mutants such as the soccer game where sunspot bully's face shifts from bravado to fear and cannonball's surviving a cave-in. So too Xavier's angst and trepidation at endangering a new group of youngster's is an interesting anchor point to the main series.
The action itself is often exciting and bizarre such as Rahne's half-wolf form, the interesting negative space of sunspot, but for some of the characters, they've yet to figure out how to consistently use their powers such as Karma or Moonstone. Whereas others like Cannonball are undermined by "fastball special" style catch phrases and the repeated need to crash to explain his "nigh invulnerability".
Despite the top-notch start, the crossover with X-Men 167 is clarifying in terms of the quality gap between this and Uncanny. Whereas Kitty's "Professor X is a Jerk!" is a legendary moment, the angst of the mutants can sometimes feel awkward.
So too, Smith's dynamic confrontation between the NW and UX and the brood clarifies how lame the crossover with Team American and a battle with a Mr. T knockoff is. Even so, Buscema does a good job with the character work and soap opera which anchors Claremont's best comics.
The high point of the run and art is the graphic novel and first three issues. McLeod's expressive cartoony faces do an excellent job of showing the drama and challenge of coming into one's identity which we see both in the quick origins of mutants such as the soccer game where sunspot bully's face shifts from bravado to fear and cannonball's surviving a cave-in. So too Xavier's angst and trepidation at endangering a new group of youngster's is an interesting anchor point to the main series.
The action itself is often exciting and bizarre such as Rahne's half-wolf form, the interesting negative space of sunspot, but for some of the characters, they've yet to figure out how to consistently use their powers such as Karma or Moonstone. Whereas others like Cannonball are undermined by "fastball special" style catch phrases and the repeated need to crash to explain his "nigh invulnerability".
Despite the top-notch start, the crossover with X-Men 167 is clarifying in terms of the quality gap between this and Uncanny. Whereas Kitty's "Professor X is a Jerk!" is a legendary moment, the angst of the mutants can sometimes feel awkward.
So too, Smith's dynamic confrontation between the NW and UX and the brood clarifies how lame the crossover with Team American and a battle with a Mr. T knockoff is. Even so, Buscema does a good job with the character work and soap opera which anchors Claremont's best comics.