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A review by michaelchurch
All-New X-Men Vol. 7: The Utopians by Brian Michael Bendis
4.0
Well this makes me contradict just about EVERYTHING I said about the X-Men in The Black Vortex crossover. So here are really only 3 issues here that stand alone. The other 2 are from the middle of the crossover and don't really flow on their own (but at least they fit back to back in the crossover). I'll ignore those two for the sake of this review since that arc was reviewed separately (spoiler: it SUUUUUUCKS). Minor actual spoiler below in the third paragraph.
The first issue is focused on Emma and Jean. Anything furthering their relationship and training so far has been fun. I'm enjoying seeing Jean get out in her place and also Emma actually in her element mentoring someone again. Though I still REALLY want Jean to stop reading everyone's minds without a reason to, but more on that later.
The next issue is after they all get back from space. There are some nice little character bonding moments, etc., and a lead in to the Utopians story. POSSIBLE SPOILER: This is also when the now infamous scene with Bobby and Jean happens. I have mixed feelings about it. I love having a new gay character, a major character, in a comic that I love. On the other hand, it's the exact type of invasive telepathy that bothers me to no end about Jean. It cheapens the information because it wasn't presented openly and honestly. There wasn't the pride aspect of it. At least not yet. There's still the big official coming out and maybe that will be more satisfying. Who knows. Another sidebar on this issue: Angel actually presents an awesome reason for his actions in Black Vortex (if only the crossover had time to just mention that instead of glossing over it), but I do wish someone will call him on the similarities with Archangel's story. And completely random, apparently in his new costume, Angel can only be drawn well from the side?
The last issue is a lot of fun. It addresses the Utopians title. I don't want to spoil anything from that plot, but there are some unanswered questions that you may not have even thought to ask that get answered. It's kind of exciting. I also really like the interactions with Maria Hill and some of their political undertones.
The art is mixed. I still love Asrar's work and Del Mundo does OK for his issue. It definitely sets it apart as a one-off story, but I think the backgrounds got too cluttered. Overall, really well presented, though.
Still enjoying this group of X-Men!
The first issue is focused on Emma and Jean. Anything furthering their relationship and training so far has been fun. I'm enjoying seeing Jean get out in her place and also Emma actually in her element mentoring someone again. Though I still REALLY want Jean to stop reading everyone's minds without a reason to, but more on that later.
The next issue is after they all get back from space. There are some nice little character bonding moments, etc., and a lead in to the Utopians story. POSSIBLE SPOILER: This is also when the now infamous scene with Bobby and Jean happens. I have mixed feelings about it. I love having a new gay character, a major character, in a comic that I love. On the other hand, it's the exact type of invasive telepathy that bothers me to no end about Jean. It cheapens the information because it wasn't presented openly and honestly. There wasn't the pride aspect of it. At least not yet. There's still the big official coming out and maybe that will be more satisfying. Who knows. Another sidebar on this issue: Angel actually presents an awesome reason for his actions in Black Vortex (if only the crossover had time to just mention that instead of glossing over it), but I do wish someone will call him on the similarities with Archangel's story. And completely random, apparently in his new costume, Angel can only be drawn well from the side?
The last issue is a lot of fun. It addresses the Utopians title. I don't want to spoil anything from that plot, but there are some unanswered questions that you may not have even thought to ask that get answered. It's kind of exciting. I also really like the interactions with Maria Hill and some of their political undertones.
The art is mixed. I still love Asrar's work and Del Mundo does OK for his issue. It definitely sets it apart as a one-off story, but I think the backgrounds got too cluttered. Overall, really well presented, though.
Still enjoying this group of X-Men!