Tensions continue to rise as attacks on Greymalkin intensify. Things couldn’t have been worse in the first X-Men crossover during the “From the Ashes” era. When both teams stormed Greymalkin Prison, which was previously their home, to free their friends, things went from bad to worse as they started fighting each other instead. While the mysteries behind Prisoner In this issue, writer Jed McKay collaborates with a number of artists. But is it worth it?
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The story continues from the pages of Uncanny X-Men, and here the focus is on one big battle. Most of the issues revolve around the two teams of X-Men eventually coming together, albeit reluctantly, to fight the Sentinels. On the one hand, it’s nice to see the pace pick up and show that the X-Men are the X-Men. To be honest, I don’t really like the overall speed of the arc. Crossovers are difficult for me. Especially if you’re reading other books to read the series. However, Jed McKay and Gail Simone worked well together and were able to bring this story to readers in a month. And it was only between two titles. This allowed the story to maintain an exciting pace that kept everything fresh even as I wondered what would happen next.
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But the whole motivation that led to the fight between both teams still feels a little too easy to me. They’re world-class heroes, but their lack of protection against psychic attacks feels a little too easy, especially considering the X-Men’s founder is a psychic. However, as the issue moves into the second half, the ideological differences between the two teams finally gain some depth and the conflict gets really interesting.
It’s a shame that only one problem remains, since this is what makes for a good crossover. But it looks like the new crossover X-Manhunt will offer much more than that. So, overall, this story does a good job of leading us to another event that provides an interesting step in a new direction that the X-Men may not have gone before.
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Overall, this issue is very well drawn. One thing it does well is that the combat feels very exciting and emotional. Sometimes, when you have a huge cast co-starring, readers can get overwhelmed watching so many characters unfold in huge action and trying to keep up with the plot. However, the panels and bright colors help separate things enough that you can differentiate and properly assess the battles.
However, one thing that made me feel uncomfortable was the way the face was drawn. I’m often the type of person who obsess about things like this, and this one is no exception. Body language and facial expressions can sometimes convey things well, but characters are often not very detailed or drawn a little too sharply. This isn’t too distracting, but it’s slightly noticeable on double-page spreads. Overall, the art does a good job of depicting explosive moments, but struggles a bit with things like facial expressions.
Overall, X-Men #9 is okay. The crossover as a whole was spot on, but it still hasn’t really blown me away. But this issue does a lot of the heavy lifting to turn things around in the final moments, where things really get interesting. That said, long-time readers and those who are passionate about the characters and series will find it worth picking up.
X-Men #9 may be an example of why crossovers aren’t always great in the early stages of a series. Development only seems to take shape towards the final issue, but it does a good job of maintaining interest.
X-Men #9 maintains interest, but too late
X-Men #9
X-Men #9 may be an example of why crossovers aren’t always great in the early stages of a series. Development only seems to take shape toward the final issue, but it does a good job of maintaining interest.
The final moments have a huge impact on the future development of the X-Men
I felt like the whole arc was lackluster.
When the art is good, it’s great, but it generally struggles more than it excels.
