If X-Men #4 was all about Magik, this one is about Psylocke. Well, mostly. Not only does Kwannon get a moment to shine in this issue, but so does Quentin Quire. And if readers are unfamiliar with him, like I was, then this issue does a solid job detailing his strengths and personality. In this issue of X-Men, things pick up and continue at an accelerated pacing with this psychological thriller. Here, writer Jed MacKay works with artist Ryan Stegman to deliver a great issue.
Marvel Comics
This story takes Quintin and Kwannon on a journey across the mind of the recently saved mutant Ben Liu through an attempted psychic rescue. As the two enter Ben’s psyche, things unsurprisingly go awry. Not only does the pair end up facing some unexpected foes, but there is also a shock for the team. Through their journey in Ben’s mind, Jed MacKay reveals one of the major plot points of the series thus far. MacKay has patiently worked towards unveiling the next giant threat that the X-Men face and when it finally comes to fruition, it pays off in spades.
Marvel Comics
The reveal works well to play off of what this series has attempted to do. Although I previously spoke to the series’ pacing being slightly lackluster, this issue is able to make up for that. Kwannon and Quentin make an interesting duo, almost the exact opposite of Juggernaut and Magik, as the two loathe each other. With their respective conflicts inevitably colliding, MacKay is able to deliver a story where the pair shine in brief moments that ultimately coincide in a giant shock for all mutants. Altogether, the story succeeds from both of the pair’s difference in character individually progressing the story through their conflict.
Marvel Comics
Ryan Stegman returns to the series and collaborates with colorist Marte Garcia and inkers JP Mayer and Livesay for a gorgeous issue. With the story taking place inside Ben’s mind, there is a lot to unpack as far as its layout. In many ways, it is unfortunately a wasteland. When the two X-Men find out what is responsible for the recent uptick in mutants, the state of Ben’s mind actually makes sense. Stegman does a solid job depicting the devastation that has happened to Ben as Kwannon and Quintin explore not just what caused Ben’s mind to suffer so severely, but also who is.
The only part of the issue that I find a bit challenging is that although Stegman excels at drawing the characters and action sequences, the environment does not carry the same level of detail, which at times makes a striking contrast. This issue’s intensity is best depicted through the brilliant shading and contrasting colors. The thrilling nature of this story is elevated through Garcia’s ability to contrast with sharp colors with parts of pages being in a heavy gray tone. This contrast works well to give the story a more ominous tone. Altogether, this is another beautiful issue that works very well to emphasize the severity of the circumstances the X-Men face.
X-Men #5 succeeds in wrapping up threads that have felt left hanging and ties them together brilliantly by providing a logical answer to them. Additionally, the story itself is visually stunning. Altogether, this issue is a strong improvement as the first arc reaches its penultimate issue.
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