X-Men Red Vol. 2 by Al Ewing, Stefano Caselli, Madibek Musabekov, and Federico Blee is the latest realization of the promise of the Krakoan Era of X-Men comics. With excellent art accompanied by sensational writing (particularly given the constraint of two event tie-in issues), the creative team is able to create fun moments for established characters and new additions alike, honoring storied histories and fan favorites whilst constructing a new narrative for a fledgling New Age.
SPOILERS AHEAD for X-Men Red by Al Ewing Vol. 2!
The Writing
Picking up where the incredibly hyped ending of issue #5 left off, Ewing begins Volume 2 with a brief showcase of Uranos’ assault on Arakko from the perspective of one Dr. Craig Marshall, before shifting to a myriad of perspectives from people literally and figuratively in the orbit of the Red Planet. Both the method of bouncing around and the changing perspectives themselves are a highlight, as Ewing is able to quickly run through many of the narrative’s side characters in a way that simultaneously furthers the progression of the scene on display and shows or alludes to the narrative function of that character, all while preventing characters from sounding too similar to one another. And that’s not even mentioning how this sequence backdoors nicely into the long-awaited introduction of the Night Seats.
Following a violent encounter with a large synthetic gorilla and the accompanying hero shot of The Brotherhood (to say nothing of a spicy set of panels with Storm and Magneto), issue #7 sees the aftermath of Judgment Day #5, particularly how the Great Ring must navigate the loss of a sizable portion of its membership. Though this issue is less action-oriented than the previous one, the conversations at play here (Storm and Magneto, The Great Ring/Fisher King and Isca, Wiz-Kid and Cable) are largely indicative of Ewing’s understanding of the characters’ distinct voices, as well as the position of X-Men Red in contrast to the lineup of titles for the Krakoan Age.
For example, in his final words to Storm, Magneto asks that she keep watching Charles Xavier in order to prevent him from performing some grand, and ultimately harmful, act. In the macrocosm of mutant history, Xavier has been known to enact some seriously heinous schemes in order to further the livelihoods of the mutants in his care, up to and including the current time period. Case in point, in Legion of X, Xavier can be seen directly acting against his own son, Legion, perceiving him as a threat to the larger Krakoan experiment due to his erratic mental state. That Ewing is able to (seemingly) levy both of these understandings of Xavier’s character is a testament to both the interconnectedness of the current X-Office, as well as his ability as a writer.
The next three issues are largely about (mostly) resolving the threads that have been set up from the first issue, while also setting the stage for a post-Sins of Sinister status quo. In short order, Abigail Brand sets up a confrontation between the fully evil-tilted Former Emperor Vulcan and the current Shi’ar Royal Family. Elsewhere, Cable and the not-Guardians of the Galaxy friends visit the World Farm to figure out what Brand has been up to, finding not only Orbis Stellaris and the Progenitors from issue #2, but the three aliens that resurrected Vulcan way back in Hickman’s X-Men #8! With the data page that follows, readers are left to wonder what Brand’s endgame is, and how the assorted heroes + The Brotherhood will deal with these developments. The answer, of course, is to be multiple steps ahead, as Sunspot is revealed to have orchestrated around Brand’s orchestrations in order to prevent her from turning the Sol system into what would effectively be a S.W.O.R.D. police state. And then, following all of this, we are treated to a clash of elemental proportions between Vulcan and Storm. In less capable hands, the end to this battle might come off as cheesy; however, the results line up well with the themes of the larger series, so I’d say it’s acceptable in this case.
On the one hand, these issues play to Ewing’s strengths, with “side” characters like Manifold and Cable getting moments to shine, payoffs to multiple issues of setup, and a reverence for continuity and history that is tempered by exciting new developments. In addition, that Ewing is able to do this and tie the narrative of Red into Judgment Day so easily is exceptional. On the other hand, Ewing’s affinity for both certain characters that are not directly tied to the narrative and dense data pages can be, at best, distracting for some readers and borderline repulsive for others. Not to mention, the necessity of tying into Judgment Day robs Red of the actual scene of Magneto’s sacrifice against Uranos, despite the fight with Uranos beginning in Red, leaving us with only the aftermath.
I love Nova as much as the next guy, but (and I should preface this by saying that I’m sure there are editorial mandates/other conditions in place behind the scenes in preparation for the upcoming Guardians run by Kelly and Lanzing) shouldn’t he be with the other Guardians, doing superheroic stuff across the broader galaxy? I have just as much, if not more, love for the data pages that have been a staple of the Krakoan era; they’re consistently informative, sometimes funny, and bring a nice unity across the many books of the Krakoan Age. This volume hasn’t changed that; rather, it’s because I love them so much that I recognize that the pages breaking down the Night Seats’ origin and purpose, and Brand and Bobby’s dueling schemes, have a lot going on that may require multiple readings for some fans.
Finally, and this may be a nitpick, but given my brief summary of issues #8-10, one might assume that not a whole lot happens in those issues, despite my summation. To a point, that is true, as the gist of the multiple confrontations running through those issues can be pretty easily condensed. At the same time, the necessary context and set dressing that is also at play in these scenes can’t be summarized as easily without being bogged down by details that are ultimately better read in-issue than in-review.
The Art
Stefano Caselli and Madibek Musabekov both serve excellent visual complements to Ewing’s writing. I don’t know if the similarities in their art styles was an intentional implementation or a bit of serendipity; whatever the case, that the art has to switch midway through the volume does not derail the narrative in the slightest.
Both excel in depicting the various textured fabrics and outfits of the characters, as well as a number of sharply-lined sci-fi interiors and stormy (ha) skies above Arakko. Caselli in particular shines in the energy effect department, showcasing the combined lightning of Storm and Magneto in fittingly electric detail, as well as Cable’s glowing eye, Khora’s bioluminescent torso, and more. By contrast, Musabekov’s strength seems to lie in slightly reduced, more “realistic” forms and costumes. I use the quotes heavily, as there is nothing particularly realistic about aliens and mutants and the like; that being said, the way Musabekov draws Cable with functional shoulder pads of a reasonable size is a welcome touch. Similarly, Magneto’s final moments see his body as muscled but not overly so; it’s a small touch in a smaller moment, but Musabekov makes it a little more believable that Magneto is in his “prime” while still being an old man.
My only real complaints about the art are relatively small, and one is not even about the art itself. I feel Caselli’s depiction of Sunspot could use some work, particularly the hair. Though his skin tone is an improvement from paler interpretations from other modern artists, da Costa’s Afro-Brazilian heritage seemingly does not extend to his crown, making him look like a skin-swapped Vulcan in a handful of panels. In addition, issue #7 lists Caselli as the featured artist despite the work on display being that of Musabekov. Credit should go where it’s due.
The Verdict
A few things that I couldn’t fit in the review proper:
- I think it’s cool that Ewing differentiates the “husk” inside an egg as being the “shape” of whoever is being resurrected
- That Tarn is the figure that judges Isca is a nice touch
- Magneto’s dying words are a nice parallel/reference to the “hated and feared” philosophy that can be applied to any and all of real world “undesirables”
- Cable and friends feels like a mini-Guardians book inside of Red. I miss Ewing’s Guardians.
- I remain curious as to exactly what threat Brand was amassing power for…to be revealed?
All in all, this volume definitely falls into the “don’t miss” category of Ewing’s works at Marvel, and makes me all the more excited to see what he has planned for the future of Arakko and those of it. What was already a highlight of the Krakoan Age has only continued to impress with stunning visuals and writing that is nothing short of impressive. Storm fans should definitely pick this one up, but fans of good writing will not be disappointed either.
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