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Astonishing X-Men (2004) (Collected Editions)
Astonishing X-Men, Vol. 8: Children of the Brood
While Cyclops, Emma and Wolverine are off in Japan dealing with giant monsters, something dire happens that demands the X-Men's attention. With their leaders away, should the X-Men deny their help? HELL NO! Storm, Colossus and Kitty Pryde join Beast and Agent Brand to take on the Brood. But when intergalactic law prevents the destruction of an enemy who can only be defeated by extermination, the X-Men have a problem. Are Storm and her crew up to the task? And what is Cyclops going to say when he learns of this? Plus: join us for a special told-in-one story with emma Frost and Danger delivering on a promise back in Astonishing X-Men 24. Don't miss this confrontation that has been brewing since 2008!
Collecting: Astonishing X-Men 38, 40, 42, 43; Uncanny X-Men 162
Collecting: Astonishing X-Men 38, 40, 42, 43; Uncanny X-Men 162
112 pages, Hardcover
First published January 25, 2012
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273 people want to read
About the author
Christos Gage
1,533 books128 followersChris N. Gage is a writer for comic books and television.
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October 29, 2015
In the next seven issues of The Astonishing X-Men, two writers (Daniel Way and Cristos Gage) contributed two story arcs and whose issues were published in alternate succession of each other. The first story arc penned by Way is entitled Monstrous and has four installments (issues #36-37, #39, and #41). Meanwhile, Gage has Meanwhile (a rather dull title for an arc that was better handled than the aforementioned former) composed of issues #38, #40, and #42. Now, the reason why I'm combining their reviews in one official post in my X-Men blogger is because there isn't much to stay about them separately. One was an entertaining yet excusably average story while the latter was nothing but a disappointing trite and a colossal waste of my time. So I decided to just unite them here in a single post, just to save myself the pain of discussing and elaborating on specific points in either story that ultimately don't warrant that much of my attention span. On the other hand, for my Goodreads review counterpart, this post will be divided accordingly between the volumes, but I will still shamelessly copypasta this introductory paragraph because fuck it. Some X-Men stories are just plain awful that reviewing it causes me actual headache. I had three or four or those already, and Daniel Way's baffling Monstrous is one of those unfortunate few.
THE ASTONISHING X-MEN VOLUME 8: MEANWHILE
Cristos Gage's story arc only had three installments but it was infinitely more interesting than Way's piece-of-shit story. I thought it was unfairly presumptuous to name this Meanwhile as if this was merely a bonus story squeezed in while there is a far more superior main attraction. I suppose that was the intention when this was released alongside Way's Monstrous, but let me assure everyone that such a concept proved otherwise in reality. Meanwhile was fun and refreshing in a few ways that Monstrous has not been. In face-value, there are some common threads between the two arcs. First, there is a presence of monster figures in both stories. For Meanwhile, it's the Brood, parasitic alien creatures that the X-Men have had the displeasure of fighting over the course of canon history. What elevated this arc for me had to be the welcome addition of Kitty Pryde. It was shocking for me because I have never stopped complaining about the fact that Whedon entrapped her inside a giant bullet, unable to phase out. I never found out how she managed to get out of that torture chamber. It may have been featured in another title. I'm not that eager to find out how; all that mattered to me was that she's back, and so is Colossus. We also have Storm again which is always nice. Kitty's best friend/alien pet Lockheed assisted them in their mission as well after a very touching and humorous conversation with Kitty where they eventually patched things up. Meanwhile was a nice break between issues for Monstrous because its main plot actually had more meat and bones than the latter.
While Emma, Scott, Logan and Hisako are busy having the most boring confrontation with the lamest villain ever in Monstrous, the other X-Men are rocking it in space. Hank McCoy, who recently left the team due to some more complicated arguments with Scott regarding important decisions, sought their help when his girlfriend S.W.O.R.D Agent Abigail Brand was captured by the Brood. He explained that there is a division in one of the agency's research facility for alien lifeforms called Pandora's Box. Essentially, it's a place of discovering hope amidst the horrors of unknown universes. According to Hank, S.W.O.R.D had just found a way to separate Brood larvae from its host without killing the host which is great progress, but somehow the Brood hive was able to hijack Pandora's Box while Brand and a couple more scientists were still inside. The X-Men immediately agreed to help Hank as a favor, and they went to the Box only to discover that Agent Brand and the others may be alive, but they also now serve as hosts for the Brood. To make matters worse and more disgusting, the Brood has found a way to infect their hosts multiple times with their larvae; meaning that Brand and the others can keep getting impregnated by ugly Brood progenies for as many times as possible. Yes, it's so gross that it brought to mind that infamous alien chestburster scene from Aliens.
Later on, as Brand's infection got worse and she is slowly but surely mutating into a Brood creature, she was adamant that the X-Men will not kill the Brood race and so they had a serious discussion regarding genocide which should not be casually practiced in any way even against the gross monstrosity that is the Brood. Brand justified that the Brood are predators to even worse species and completely eradicating them will affect the interstellar ecosystem dramatically and they may have more serious alien problems in their hands if that ever came to pass. Reluctantly, the X-Men tried to reach a compromise but they were timely attacked by the Brood hive. Colossus, Storm and Beast were captured and were infected as well and only Kitty and Lockheed were able to escape. Brand had explained to them early on that there is a Brood creature who was unlike his kind; said Broodling has compassion and he may be the only key in preserving the lineage, as long as said Broodling could possibly reproduce a new kind of Brood race that is less savage and more humane. A novel idea, and one that Kitty and Lockheed rush to see into fruition. In the end, the Broodling was secured and his kind was not completely terminated. The surviving larvae were kept under supervision by S.W.O.R.D but Storm was not pleased about it. She argued that these larvae need not suffer under cruel experimentations in the name of scientific discovery and urged the Broodling to care for them and teach them to fight against their biological wiring of destructive and parasitic ways. She also promises that there is a place for him in the Xavier School if he ever wants to visit Earth and have an actual life. The Broodling considers this thoughtfully and this may not be the last time we see him again.
In a nutshell, the deceptively named Meanwhile was a decent story that had a heart underneath the gritty parts, and was composed with enough conflict and character developments in along the way that it was able to sustain my interest and investment. It was engaging and definitely a bright spot in contrast of the gratingly subpar writing present in Monstrous.
RECOMMENDED: 7/10
DO READ MY REVIEWS AT:
THE ASTONISHING X-MEN VOLUME 8: MEANWHILE
Cristos Gage's story arc only had three installments but it was infinitely more interesting than Way's piece-of-shit story. I thought it was unfairly presumptuous to name this Meanwhile as if this was merely a bonus story squeezed in while there is a far more superior main attraction. I suppose that was the intention when this was released alongside Way's Monstrous, but let me assure everyone that such a concept proved otherwise in reality. Meanwhile was fun and refreshing in a few ways that Monstrous has not been. In face-value, there are some common threads between the two arcs. First, there is a presence of monster figures in both stories. For Meanwhile, it's the Brood, parasitic alien creatures that the X-Men have had the displeasure of fighting over the course of canon history. What elevated this arc for me had to be the welcome addition of Kitty Pryde. It was shocking for me because I have never stopped complaining about the fact that Whedon entrapped her inside a giant bullet, unable to phase out. I never found out how she managed to get out of that torture chamber. It may have been featured in another title. I'm not that eager to find out how; all that mattered to me was that she's back, and so is Colossus. We also have Storm again which is always nice. Kitty's best friend/alien pet Lockheed assisted them in their mission as well after a very touching and humorous conversation with Kitty where they eventually patched things up. Meanwhile was a nice break between issues for Monstrous because its main plot actually had more meat and bones than the latter.
While Emma, Scott, Logan and Hisako are busy having the most boring confrontation with the lamest villain ever in Monstrous, the other X-Men are rocking it in space. Hank McCoy, who recently left the team due to some more complicated arguments with Scott regarding important decisions, sought their help when his girlfriend S.W.O.R.D Agent Abigail Brand was captured by the Brood. He explained that there is a division in one of the agency's research facility for alien lifeforms called Pandora's Box. Essentially, it's a place of discovering hope amidst the horrors of unknown universes. According to Hank, S.W.O.R.D had just found a way to separate Brood larvae from its host without killing the host which is great progress, but somehow the Brood hive was able to hijack Pandora's Box while Brand and a couple more scientists were still inside. The X-Men immediately agreed to help Hank as a favor, and they went to the Box only to discover that Agent Brand and the others may be alive, but they also now serve as hosts for the Brood. To make matters worse and more disgusting, the Brood has found a way to infect their hosts multiple times with their larvae; meaning that Brand and the others can keep getting impregnated by ugly Brood progenies for as many times as possible. Yes, it's so gross that it brought to mind that infamous alien chestburster scene from Aliens.
Later on, as Brand's infection got worse and she is slowly but surely mutating into a Brood creature, she was adamant that the X-Men will not kill the Brood race and so they had a serious discussion regarding genocide which should not be casually practiced in any way even against the gross monstrosity that is the Brood. Brand justified that the Brood are predators to even worse species and completely eradicating them will affect the interstellar ecosystem dramatically and they may have more serious alien problems in their hands if that ever came to pass. Reluctantly, the X-Men tried to reach a compromise but they were timely attacked by the Brood hive. Colossus, Storm and Beast were captured and were infected as well and only Kitty and Lockheed were able to escape. Brand had explained to them early on that there is a Brood creature who was unlike his kind; said Broodling has compassion and he may be the only key in preserving the lineage, as long as said Broodling could possibly reproduce a new kind of Brood race that is less savage and more humane. A novel idea, and one that Kitty and Lockheed rush to see into fruition. In the end, the Broodling was secured and his kind was not completely terminated. The surviving larvae were kept under supervision by S.W.O.R.D but Storm was not pleased about it. She argued that these larvae need not suffer under cruel experimentations in the name of scientific discovery and urged the Broodling to care for them and teach them to fight against their biological wiring of destructive and parasitic ways. She also promises that there is a place for him in the Xavier School if he ever wants to visit Earth and have an actual life. The Broodling considers this thoughtfully and this may not be the last time we see him again.
In a nutshell, the deceptively named Meanwhile was a decent story that had a heart underneath the gritty parts, and was composed with enough conflict and character developments in along the way that it was able to sustain my interest and investment. It was engaging and definitely a bright spot in contrast of the gratingly subpar writing present in Monstrous.
RECOMMENDED: 7/10
DO READ MY REVIEWS AT:
April 26, 2014
For several issues, writers Daniel Way and Christos Gage alternated issues on Astonishing X-Men. Way told a story with the A-team characters of Wolverine, Cyclops and Emma Frost and Gage got the leftovers of the roster but Gage wrote the better story.
Gage gave his take on the classic X-Men threat, the Brood and brought back Kitty Pryde and Lockheed together again, that alone is reason enough to read this book, but there's more. It also has the first appearance of Broo, mutant Brood and my favorite Jean Grey School student.
Since Gage's story was a three-part arc, there were some extras added to pad the page count enough to justify a hardcover. One is a standalone Astonishing issue featuring Emma Frost and Danger and the other a classic issue from Chris Claremont and Dave Cockrum. There's something for every generation of X-Men reader.
Gage gave his take on the classic X-Men threat, the Brood and brought back Kitty Pryde and Lockheed together again, that alone is reason enough to read this book, but there's more. It also has the first appearance of Broo, mutant Brood and my favorite Jean Grey School student.
Since Gage's story was a three-part arc, there were some extras added to pad the page count enough to justify a hardcover. One is a standalone Astonishing issue featuring Emma Frost and Danger and the other a classic issue from Chris Claremont and Dave Cockrum. There's something for every generation of X-Men reader.
March 13, 2015
***SPOILERS!!!!!***
I wanted to enjoy this. In all reality, this volume gives the more "minor" characters a chance to do something without the leaders. But instead I was left bored, confused, and wanting more.
First of all let me say: I HAVE NOT SKIPPED ANY VOLUMES OF ASTONISHING X-MEN. And somehow I missed the fact that Kitty is no longer fused to a rocket and the fact that she is now practically a ghost. Also, Colossus is back with no explanation. If someone can tell me when and how the fuck this happened, I would really appreciate it. But when I take the time to start at the beginning, read in the order that is suggested, and I still have plot holes: I GET PISSED. Okay, that's the end of that rant.
I always thought that the Brood were pretty badass. And in this volume, they're not. We're actually fighting to save them. It's all very backwards. We also have ways of extracting the Brood from us so that kind of defeats the fear purpose.
This volume pretty much got two stars because even though the characters didn't look like I'm used to in some cases (mainly Kitty) the artwork was still on point. The Brood, while being pretty useless here, still looked really badass, not to mention Brood-Brand. She looked AMAZING!!!! Also, the wit was there. If I'm laughing, at least SOMETHING is being done right. But overall, this convinces me that sometimes a good thing can't last. R.I.P. Whedon Run.
I wanted to enjoy this. In all reality, this volume gives the more "minor" characters a chance to do something without the leaders. But instead I was left bored, confused, and wanting more.
First of all let me say: I HAVE NOT SKIPPED ANY VOLUMES OF ASTONISHING X-MEN. And somehow I missed the fact that Kitty is no longer fused to a rocket and the fact that she is now practically a ghost. Also, Colossus is back with no explanation. If someone can tell me when and how the fuck this happened, I would really appreciate it. But when I take the time to start at the beginning, read in the order that is suggested, and I still have plot holes: I GET PISSED. Okay, that's the end of that rant.
I always thought that the Brood were pretty badass. And in this volume, they're not. We're actually fighting to save them. It's all very backwards. We also have ways of extracting the Brood from us so that kind of defeats the fear purpose.
This volume pretty much got two stars because even though the characters didn't look like I'm used to in some cases (mainly Kitty) the artwork was still on point. The Brood, while being pretty useless here, still looked really badass, not to mention Brood-Brand. She looked AMAZING!!!! Also, the wit was there. If I'm laughing, at least SOMETHING is being done right. But overall, this convinces me that sometimes a good thing can't last. R.I.P. Whedon Run.
May 13, 2013
The art for this one was actually pretty solid -- sort of a strange Seth Fisher knockoff that's not afraid to be goofy in its interpretations of the X-folk. Plus there was a lot of dialogue, almost a Claremontian amount. It took me several sittings to get through the book, which made me feel (almost) like I got my money's worth. The story was completely forgettable, of course, except for the introduction of Broo, the mutant Brood. Yay Broo!
I love Broo.
But Christ, I dunno. Absolutely no one outside of the deepest X-devotees would go this far into peripheral X-books. There's seriously like 3 crossovers and fifteen-or-so volumes of better modern X-Men to read before you should even bother with this one. I'm like an alcoholic drinking Scope at this point.
I love Broo.
But Christ, I dunno. Absolutely no one outside of the deepest X-devotees would go this far into peripheral X-books. There's seriously like 3 crossovers and fifteen-or-so volumes of better modern X-Men to read before you should even bother with this one. I'm like an alcoholic drinking Scope at this point.
July 8, 2012
These may be the last X-men volumes I pick up for some time. In Astonishing, all Whedon characterization is completely gone, and very little of Ellis remains. This story in particular (the actual title of this collection is "Children of the Brood") builds on some good plot threads, but the art is so awful I could barely read it.
For comics, there needs to be a near-seamless fusion of words and pictures, and it was noticeably lacking here. I hope that the Schism event brings an end to this kind of thing, but it seems to be yet another jumping off point for long-time fans. Hopefully in 10 years there will be some new ideas to reinvigorate this franchise
For comics, there needs to be a near-seamless fusion of words and pictures, and it was noticeably lacking here. I hope that the Schism event brings an end to this kind of thing, but it seems to be yet another jumping off point for long-time fans. Hopefully in 10 years there will be some new ideas to reinvigorate this franchise
September 1, 2012
Would have gotten four stars if not for the artwork by Juan Bobillo, who draws aliens very well and makes humans look like they're melting. Gage's story is strong and introduces an interesting character who is picked up in Wolverine and the X-Men, and the one-shot by James Asmus about Danger and Emma Frost is a nice way to end the volume.
May 31, 2017
I suppose this arc was based on Alien, but I prefer Starcraft, esecially based on the name of the infection and how it was researched, then lost control of. It even has a Queen, a Hive-Mind. I'll add Lockheed as a Firebat, Colossus with a handheld Yamato gun, Kitty as a Ghost, Storm as a Templar - it's really one-on-one. Sadly, the story boils down to willpower overwhelming the Brood - if it had only been that simple in Starcraft...
SHIELD scientists were researching some aliens infected with the Brood. The Brood escapes and takes over the facility, capturing Brand and a few scientists - also infecting them. Beast gets the X-Men to help.
SHIELD scientists were researching some aliens infected with the Brood. The Brood escapes and takes over the facility, capturing Brand and a few scientists - also infecting them. Beast gets the X-Men to help.
December 2, 2013
This seems more filler than anything else, an excuse to keep the title going until another name-recognition author could lead it. The plotline here is that the Brood have infected an orbiting space station, one manned by interstellar security forces including Beast's girlfriend, Agent Brand. So a few of the X-Men mount a zero-consequence rescue mission.
But it's hard to care about any of the consequences. Why? Well, given all the times they've surfaced only to be squished like the bugs they are, the Brood's threat level is pretty low. We know the main heroes aren't going to be killed off, and the X-Men are so quick to wipe out the infected humans that we don't even get any human-interest moments. Finally, this is the kind of comic where Colossus delivers lines like, "She does her duty hesitation or fear. One of the many reasons you love her."
The creators try to twist the plot a bit by introducing a mutant Brood, one who's mutated to feel...kindness. But it's all generic and rushed and meaningless. Even the art is cartoony enough to leave the Beast looking like the Cowardly Lion.
There's a one-issue follow-up where Emma Frost and Danger raid a Shield helicarrier to rescue an artificial intelligence, one that turns out--surprise--to be evil. Danger learns a very valuable lesson to not be so trusting of any sleazy signal pattern she comes across. And that's the highlight on this volume.
Read digital issues
But it's hard to care about any of the consequences. Why? Well, given all the times they've surfaced only to be squished like the bugs they are, the Brood's threat level is pretty low. We know the main heroes aren't going to be killed off, and the X-Men are so quick to wipe out the infected humans that we don't even get any human-interest moments. Finally, this is the kind of comic where Colossus delivers lines like, "She does her duty hesitation or fear. One of the many reasons you love her."
The creators try to twist the plot a bit by introducing a mutant Brood, one who's mutated to feel...kindness. But it's all generic and rushed and meaningless. Even the art is cartoony enough to leave the Beast looking like the Cowardly Lion.
There's a one-issue follow-up where Emma Frost and Danger raid a Shield helicarrier to rescue an artificial intelligence, one that turns out--surprise--to be evil. Danger learns a very valuable lesson to not be so trusting of any sleazy signal pattern she comes across. And that's the highlight on this volume.
Read digital issues
March 8, 2013
Children of the Brood. The Brood have always been one of my favorite Claremont creations. Yeah, they’re largely derivative, but he wrote such an epic story about them in Classic X-Men days that it didn’t really matter. So, I was predisposed to like this story. And, it’s generally enjoyable, with some great characters and some surprising humor. It also introduces Broo, which is a big plus. The only real issue is that there’s too much pointless fighting (some of it literally pointless) [7/10].
Emma Frost / Danger. This story of freeing/fighting/being-fooled-by a machine intelligence has some great interpersonal dynamics, but isn’t terribly interesting beyond that [5/10].
X-Men #162. The Wolverine story is part of that great original Claremont story, but it’s incomplete and out-of-place here.
Emma Frost / Danger. This story of freeing/fighting/being-fooled-by a machine intelligence has some great interpersonal dynamics, but isn’t terribly interesting beyond that [5/10].
X-Men #162. The Wolverine story is part of that great original Claremont story, but it’s incomplete and out-of-place here.
August 30, 2012
The worst comic writing I've come across in years. The classic Chris Claremont issue the publisher used as filler in the back, by comparison, makes the weak writing of the feature story seem even worse. I should have stopped buying Astonishing X-men with the last Whedon issue, but I was hoping they could maintain the concept without him: an X-men title for casual readers and 'old fans', unmired by tedious continuity issues.
Ug, so disappointing. I could have used the money to buy a better book. Or groceries.
In case anyone reading this is concerned that I may be losing my more pretentious interests, have no fear. I'm reading McCarthy's Suttree as well....
Ug, so disappointing. I could have used the money to buy a better book. Or groceries.
In case anyone reading this is concerned that I may be losing my more pretentious interests, have no fear. I'm reading McCarthy's Suttree as well....
December 13, 2011
I don't know what makes Astonishing X-men different from the regular X-men series but it seems to be going downhill. This story line takes place alongside the Monster story line which follows half of the team's exploits in Tokyo. This story could have been very good but then it quickly devolves in the first issue. Coupled with rather poor artwork this was a very bad story which made even the Monster story line look good.
November 13, 2014
I struggled between one and two stars for this one, ultimately it deserves one star because i genuinely didn't like it. The story was average at best, there was no sense of suspense, no intensity, not much originality. Not liking the art that much either, that doesn't leave anything positive to say really.
May 16, 2012
This was indeed, pretty poor- There were individual panels where it was impossible to tell what Beast looks like- it certainly wasn't cat-like more like a furry lump of carpet.
It gets one star entirely for the fact that it includes a reprint of X-men 162 by Claremont/Cockrum.
It gets one star entirely for the fact that it includes a reprint of X-men 162 by Claremont/Cockrum.
August 30, 2017
If the idea of Astonishing X-Men was top tier creators doing different stories, that is no longer the case with these issues. They're not horrible, but there is nothing unique or interesting about them. They are standard X-Men stories, nothing more.
December 14, 2018
Odlican!
May 7, 2020
Curiosamente, este volumen (Hijos del Nido) y el anterior (Monstruoso), no fueron publicados de forma lineal en Astonishing X-Men, sino alternando los números, de modo que se desarrollaron en paralelo. Por un lado, en Monstruoso, Cíclope, Emma Frost y Lobezno acompañan a Armadura a Japón para asistir al funeral de la madre y el hermano de la muchacha, y allí se encuentran con que Mentallo, un antiguo villano de tercera que había tenido bastante importancia en el antiguo arco Heavy Metal de los Vengadores, se ha hecho con el control telepático de Isla Monstruo, y ha mandado a estas criaturas a atacar Japón hasta conseguir un rescate de ochocientos millones de dólares. Y en este caso, el guionista será Daniel Way, con lápices de Jackson Pearson.
Por otro lado, Coloso, Tormenta y Gatasombra recibirán una petición de ayuda de uno de sus antiguos compañeros, la Bestia (que había dejado el equipo tras Advenimiento), para acudir a la Caja de Pandora, una anexo espacial de SWORD, donde Abigail Brandt se encuentra atrapada con varios eslizoides del Nido y tratando de evitar un más que posible contagio, para descubrir que dentro del Nido también hay mutantes... y que quizá salvar a uno de ellos pueda cambiar la relación de la Patrulla-X con el Nido para siempre. Y en este caso, serán Christos Gage y Juan Bobillo quienes se encarguen del arco.
Y la verdad es que ninguno de los dos es demasiado bueno. Quizá algo mejor el de Gage, pero queda completamente deslucido por los lápices de Bobillo, que dibuja unos eslizoides un poco... mal. La verdad es que ninguna de las dos sagas está a la altura de los arcos anteriores, y de hecho, auguran lo que pasaría, que a pesar del excelente trabajo que Marjorie Liu terminaría realizando en la serie, Astonishing iba a convertirse en una serie secundaria en el panorama mutante.
Por otro lado, Coloso, Tormenta y Gatasombra recibirán una petición de ayuda de uno de sus antiguos compañeros, la Bestia (que había dejado el equipo tras Advenimiento), para acudir a la Caja de Pandora, una anexo espacial de SWORD, donde Abigail Brandt se encuentra atrapada con varios eslizoides del Nido y tratando de evitar un más que posible contagio, para descubrir que dentro del Nido también hay mutantes... y que quizá salvar a uno de ellos pueda cambiar la relación de la Patrulla-X con el Nido para siempre. Y en este caso, serán Christos Gage y Juan Bobillo quienes se encarguen del arco.
Y la verdad es que ninguno de los dos es demasiado bueno. Quizá algo mejor el de Gage, pero queda completamente deslucido por los lápices de Bobillo, que dibuja unos eslizoides un poco... mal. La verdad es que ninguna de las dos sagas está a la altura de los arcos anteriores, y de hecho, auguran lo que pasaría, que a pesar del excelente trabajo que Marjorie Liu terminaría realizando en la serie, Astonishing iba a convertirse en una serie secundaria en el panorama mutante.
February 1, 2025
So again, I have no idea on the context prior to this issue (although I did try to google and it seems this is in the same series as the weaponised one I read the other day!) but here I am reading it. Purely because I work in a library and am working my way through our comics.
Luckily this was a pretty good stand alone story with an interesting cast of characters. I wasn’t a massive fan of Beast he was rather annoying but I did love the dragon Lockheed and ofc Storm was badass as usual. I liked the Brood, however I don’t like that they let the evil ones go at the end? I thought the plan was to save the compassionate one and raise a better generation of them, but I guess not let’s let the murderer out hive mind go?? The art style was nice and yeh I had a good time.
As for the bonus story with Emma frost and some robot person called Danger, it was okay if a bit rushed. It again had Beast in it which was a bummer, but the relationship between Emma and Danger seems intriguing.
Overall I continue to have fun reading random xmen comics in no particular order.
Luckily this was a pretty good stand alone story with an interesting cast of characters. I wasn’t a massive fan of Beast he was rather annoying but I did love the dragon Lockheed and ofc Storm was badass as usual. I liked the Brood, however I don’t like that they let the evil ones go at the end? I thought the plan was to save the compassionate one and raise a better generation of them, but I guess not let’s let the murderer out hive mind go?? The art style was nice and yeh I had a good time.
As for the bonus story with Emma frost and some robot person called Danger, it was okay if a bit rushed. It again had Beast in it which was a bummer, but the relationship between Emma and Danger seems intriguing.
Overall I continue to have fun reading random xmen comics in no particular order.
November 6, 2019
Slightly better than the last volume.
We get a decent brood story followed by a fun little Emma/Danger adventure. The single issue Emma story at the end is the best part of this collection. The Brood story is a bit tedious.
Art wise, this is very average. Nothing notably good or bad.
There’s really nothing else of note to say about this forgettable collection.
We get a decent brood story followed by a fun little Emma/Danger adventure. The single issue Emma story at the end is the best part of this collection. The Brood story is a bit tedious.
Art wise, this is very average. Nothing notably good or bad.
There’s really nothing else of note to say about this forgettable collection.
June 18, 2018
Continuing the great x-read of 2017/2018... (and I am really far behind with my reviews so I will be putting up a bunch of quick-takes to catch up...)
Not my favorite volume. It's a serviceable story but seems pretty forgettable.
Not my favorite volume. It's a serviceable story but seems pretty forgettable.
April 25, 2022
This okay. We start out with an X-Men meets Aliens story starring the Brood, and then we have a one shot with Danger teaming up with Emma Frost. I didn't care for the art in this volume. It was okay, but much like the previous volume, felt like filler.
March 8, 2018
Wow, the art in that Brood story was rough. This would have received two stars if not for the decently written, Danger focused last chapter.
April 23, 2019
X-Men (Storm, Kitty Pryde The Beast and Colossus with Agent Brand) are on space station or ship fighting the Brood.
January 26, 2022
I wasn’t really down with the Brood arc, but regardless, the art here was the major turn-off.
September 4, 2022
pretty wild sci fi take by Christos Gage and Juan Bobillo illustrating. Thankfully arthur adams gave us a sweet emma frost pin up towards the end of the book.
May 16, 2023
2/5 - Graphic Novels
2/5 - Superheroes
2/5 - Story
3/5 - Characters
2.25 / 5 - Rating
2/5 - Superheroes
2/5 - Story
3/5 - Characters
2.25 / 5 - Rating
August 20, 2023
My least favorite X-Men villains, the Brood are a remarkably one-note creation.
The introduction a young, compassionate Brood baby notwithstanding, Children of the Brood is boring AF.
The introduction a young, compassionate Brood baby notwithstanding, Children of the Brood is boring AF.
December 28, 2024
The brood storylines are always a fun read.
September 18, 2025
This is a fun little origin story for Broo, who will go on to become a very entertaining character in Wolverine and the X-Men, Vol. 1. Otherwise, it's a standard Brood/Xenomorph story. Scientists impregnated with parasites, gotta kill the queen, heroes are compromised, yadda, yadda, yadda.
The story is pretty rote but has some solid dialogue.
The art is definitely not rote. It's mostly not to my taste. I do like the breakout panels and I think Juan Bobillo is wildly talented at storytelling, I just didn't like his character designs for this story. Beast, in particular, doesn't work for me, but I'm also not to keen on how flat and out of focus his characters look when he's not doing close-ups on them. It's not at all terrible, it just wasn't for me.
If you are a huge fan of Agent Brand/SWORD and didn't mind the way Jamie McKelvie portrayed Beast, you may not mind this either. It's also a fun read if you've missed Kitty Pryde and Lockheed's interactions. Otherwise, it's ok but not a must-read.
The story is pretty rote but has some solid dialogue.
The art is definitely not rote. It's mostly not to my taste. I do like the breakout panels and I think Juan Bobillo is wildly talented at storytelling, I just didn't like his character designs for this story. Beast, in particular, doesn't work for me, but I'm also not to keen on how flat and out of focus his characters look when he's not doing close-ups on them. It's not at all terrible, it just wasn't for me.
If you are a huge fan of Agent Brand/SWORD and didn't mind the way Jamie McKelvie portrayed Beast, you may not mind this either. It's also a fun read if you've missed Kitty Pryde and Lockheed's interactions. Otherwise, it's ok but not a must-read.
May 2, 2019
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Average rating for the entire series (minus Volume 12): 3.1/5
Check out my reviews for the rest of the series:
Volume 1: Gifted | Volume 2: Dangerous | Volume 3: Torn (no review) | Volume 4: Unstoppable (no review) | Volume 5: Ghost Box (no review) | Volume 6: Exogenic (no review) | Volume 7: Monstrous (no review) | Volume 8: Children of the Brood (no review) | Volume 9: Exalted (no review) | Volume 10: Northstar | Volume 11: Weaponized (no review) | Volume 12: Unmasked (TBR)
Average rating for the entire series (minus Volume 12): 3.1/5
Check out my reviews for the rest of the series:
Volume 1: Gifted | Volume 2: Dangerous | Volume 3: Torn (no review) | Volume 4: Unstoppable (no review) | Volume 5: Ghost Box (no review) | Volume 6: Exogenic (no review) | Volume 7: Monstrous (no review) | Volume 8: Children of the Brood (no review) | Volume 9: Exalted (no review) | Volume 10: Northstar | Volume 11: Weaponized (no review) | Volume 12: Unmasked (TBR)
April 20, 2016
While Cyclops led X-Men are busy fighting the monster in Japan, it is the other half of the team with the ex-X-Man Beast who are on a rescue mission to the SWORD headquarters to well, rescue his girlfriend. As the mission proceeds, we learn a truth about this particular alien race we were not really briefed about in the first place.
Before I talk about this arc, I must say that it is a great feeling to finally see Kitty back into the team along with Colossus.
Now, the civilization of Brood has had a long standing history with the X-Men and are on the verge of extinction resulting in them trying to take over humans to use them as host so as to further their race. This results in a battle that leaves Kitty all alone to face against her infected X-Men.
"A dragon? Isn't that the one which betrayed you."
The point where it shows one of the Brood's younglings exhibiting compassion which is uncommon among the concerned race shows what living beings are capable of. They can transcend their nature to be different than what they are meant to be.
Not much of a story but it was enjoyable.
Before I talk about this arc, I must say that it is a great feeling to finally see Kitty back into the team along with Colossus.
Now, the civilization of Brood has had a long standing history with the X-Men and are on the verge of extinction resulting in them trying to take over humans to use them as host so as to further their race. This results in a battle that leaves Kitty all alone to face against her infected X-Men.
"A dragon? Isn't that the one which betrayed you."
The point where it shows one of the Brood's younglings exhibiting compassion which is uncommon among the concerned race shows what living beings are capable of. They can transcend their nature to be different than what they are meant to be.
Not much of a story but it was enjoyable.
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