Mystique came into the From the Ashes scene like a bullet from a gun. Declan Shalvey introduced readers to an espionage angle on Mystique as she tears through people without a care. Mystique #2 is out this week, further revealing what happened to Destiny (is she dead?) as Nick Fury Jr. is hot on Mystique’s tail.
As the cover suggests, Mystique is on the tail of Avalanche, who is an old Brotherhood of Evil mutants buddy. As she trucks through deep snow to find him, Shalvey uses captions written by Destiny to drive home her lover’s never-ending devotion to her. Mystique may be a bringer of death with seemingly no emotion, but she does it in the name of love. The connection between Destiny and Mystique is the strongest part of this issue.
There’s some interesting mutant melodrama at work here, particularly when Mystique and Avalanche interact. They have history, and unfortunately for Avalanche, the next piece in Mystique’s journey to find Destiny goes through him. Avalanche comes off as a bit mopey in a two-page dialogue scene that feels drawn out, but things get spicy when they use their powers against one another.
Watcha lookin at Nick?
Credit: Marvel
Shalvey continues to have fun with Mystique’s ability to shapeshift with several fan-favorite mutants appearing. Shalvey’s art is super clean and pleasing, with a good sense of empty space drawing the eye and calming the soul. The big splashy moments are missing in this issue, however, with the last issue spoiling us a bit in that area.
The espionage angle rears its head via Nick Fury Jr. and those within his circle. He was just blown up but still has to face the music as far as stolen S.H.I.E.L.D. tech. It’s a reminder of how far that agency has come as his boss, Maria Hill, comes calling. The bureaucracy of an agency is a bit boring at face value, but Shalvey makes it clear an agent with many gadgets is facing an uphill fight.
Mystique #2 continues to deliver an engaging mix of emotional stakes and espionage, but its slower pacing and lack of standout action moments prevent it from fully matching the impact of the previous issue.
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