Connect with us
X-Men Gold #28 review: Getting the series back on track

Comic Books

X-Men Gold #28 review: Getting the series back on track

After a string of mediocre issues, X-Men Gold #28 is a breath of fresh air featuring entertaining dialogue, chilling moments from its villain, and stellar scenes from Kitty Pryde.

[amazon_link asins=’B079ZLDT7N’ template=’AiPTProductAd’ store=’aiptcomics-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’80624124-5d5b-11e8-9cd6-2b9fdaa4061c’]

X-Men Gold was meant to be the flagship X-Men title for Marvel when it launched last April. However, since the return of Jean Grey made way for X-Men Red and the consistently average nature of Gold, the series has lost that mantle while struggling to make a case for why it is still around- which explains the new “Til Death Do Us Part” arc culminating in Kitty and Colossus’s wedding. Part three hits shelves this week in X-Men Gold #28, a refreshingly entertaining entry that manages to add some serious weight to its main villain while providing standout moments for Kitty Pryde.

Listen to the latest episode of our weekly comics podcast!

What makes this issue so entertaining despite the light action is the witty banter throughout. I’ve been pretty critical of the stale dialogue in past issues, but I happily found no such problem here. I remember multiple lines giving me a good chuckle or putting a smile on my face.

Nightcrawler in particular has some funny moments while piloting a borrowed Alpha Flight spaceship and Iceman takes some solid digs at Pyro in the book’s beginning. Even the more corny dialogue feels perfectly in-line for the character speaking, leaving little room for disdain.

X-Men Gold #28 review: Getting the series back on track

Artist Michele Bandini takes over on pencils for #28 and his work is not unnoticed. There’s much more emphasis placed on conveying emotion in characters’ facial expressions and posture allowing the art to add emotional depth to certain scenes. Bandini tactically forgoes backgrounds in certain panels in order to highlight tension, disdain, or suspense during certain scenes that truly make a difference in the reading experience.

A similar tactic is applied to the fight sequence, allowing the reader to follow the action easier. When the skirmish begins, Bandini draws the full scene complete with background elements and multiple characters, but when the action draws to a close he caps each fight with more classic panels that feature just the hero and their enemy on a rushed, color background. This style helps give each fight a bit more intensity while adding a real sense of impact and finality to finishing blows.

X-Men Gold #28 review: Getting the series back on track

The true shining stars here are the opposed characters at the center of the narrative- renowned bigot Lydia Nance and Gold team leader Kitty Pryde. Last issue I called Nance an underwhelming villain, but I am happy eat my words after this issue.

In just a few short pages, Nance exemplifies the extent of her hatred for mutants in moments that will make readers shiver from just how cold she is. She speaks of genocide as if it’s the right thing to do while effortlessly writing mutants off as “inhumane” in truly unsettling ways. If readers weren’t shaken by Nance before, they certainly will be now.

Kitty Pryde also has some stellar moments in #28 that reinforce her position as team leader. One such moment came during a confrontation with Nance in which Rachel Summers offered to psychicly knock out Nance- but Kitty opts to cold cock the bigot instead. Violence isn’t always the right answer, but some people just deserve to be punched in the face. Nance is one of those people, so watching Kitty take her down is oh-so-satisfying.

X-Men Gold #28 review: Getting the series back on track

Not only does Kitty punch a genocidal racist in the face, she manages to save the entire team from their impending doom through an impressive use of her powers. While pursuing the imprisoned Colossus in space, the team’s vessel is struck with a missile sending them hurtling uncontrollably to a nearby space station. In an impressive display of quick thinking and leadership, Kitty phases the entire ship into the station to land smoothly. After watching Kitty Pryde question her efficacy as a leader just a few issues ago, a moment like this where she truly shines is a welcome sight that reminds readers why she’s in charge.

The biggest detractor of #28 is Storm, who is once again wielding the Stormcaster hammer. While this does make for a pretty stellar moment later in the issue, this Asguardian-eque look for Storm looks awfully derivative of Jane Foster Thor, like a poor attempt to copy Jane’s look after her death. When in this outfit, Storm barely looks like an X-Man, especially when juxtaposed with her killer new look unveiled for X-Men Red. She also suffers from some rather clunky, stiff dialogue throughout the book.

[amazon_link asins=’B079ZLDT7N’ template=’BottomAdAIPT’ store=’aiptcomics-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’80624124-5d5b-11e8-9cd6-2b9fdaa4061c’]

It’s been a rocky road for the X-Men Gold squad and its readers lately with the departure of Old Man Logan, a “Mojoworld” crossover, fascist aliens from alternate dimensions, and a quick prison stint. Recent issues have been slightly better, but still haven’t been more than above average. That’s what makes X-Men Gold #28 so refreshing, it’s a return to form for the struggling series with entertaining moments throughout that exemplify the evil within the villain and the leadership within the heroine.

X-Men Gold #28 review: Getting the series back on track
X-Men Gold #28
Is it good?
After a string of mediocre issues, X-Men Gold #28 is a breath of fresh air featuring entertaining dialogue, chilling moments from its villain, and stellar scenes from Kitty Pryde.
The dialogue is genuinely entertaining throughout with a solid amount of chuckle-worthy exchanges.
Michele Bandini's art elevates the emotional weight of multiple scenes while adding to the intensity of the issue's lone fight sequence.
Kitty Pryde has multiple standout moments in this issue, including cold-coking a genocidal, racist maniac.
Lydia Nance proves herself to be a frighteningly cold and heartless villain.
Storm has a rough go in this issue, with bad dialogue and a costume that looks eerily similar to Jane Foster Thor.
This is Part Three of "Til Death Do Us Part," but literally makes no mention of the upcoming wedding.
8
Good

Join the AIPT Patreon

Want to take our relationship to the next level? Become a patron today to gain access to exclusive perks, such as:

  • ❌ Remove all ads on the website
  • 💬 Join our Discord community, where we chat about the latest news and releases from everything we cover on AIPT
  • 📗 Access to our monthly book club
  • 📦 Get a physical trade paperback shipped to you every month
  • 💥 And more!
Sign up today
Comments

In Case You Missed It

'My Adventures with Superman' gets new comics series starting June 2024 'My Adventures with Superman' gets new comics series starting June 2024

‘My Adventures with Superman’ gets new comics series starting June 2024

Comic Books

New DC Black Label 'Zatanna: Bring Down the House' out June 25th New DC Black Label 'Zatanna: Bring Down the House' out June 25th

New DC Black Label ‘Zatanna: Bring Down the House’ out June 25th

Comic Books

DC Preview: Action Comics #1063 DC Preview: Action Comics #1063

DC Preview: Action Comics #1063

Comic Books

Sink your teeth into new 'Blood Hunt' teeth series covers Sink your teeth into new 'Blood Hunt' teeth series covers

Sink your teeth into new ‘Blood Hunt’ teeth series covers

Comic Books

Connect
Newsletter Signup