Astonishing X-Men: Gifted Prose Novel

Marvel Press Novels

by Peter David

The X-Men have evolved. Cyclops and Emma Frost re-form the team with the express purpose of "astonishing" the world. But when breaking news regarding the mutant gene unexpectedly hits the airwaves, will it derail their new plans before they even get started? As demand for the "mutant cure" reaches near-riot levels, the X-Men go head-to-head with the enigmatic Ord, with an unexpected ally - and some unexpected adversaries - tipping the scales Experience the blockbuster re-imagining of the X-Men like never before in this new adaptation

Genres: Marvel, Comics, Fiction, X Men, Superheroes, Science Fiction, Audiobook

352 pages, Hardcover

First published December 29, 2004

About the author

aka David Peters

Peter Allen David, often abbreviated PAD, was an American writer of comic books, novels, television, films, and video games. His notable comic book work includes an award-winning 12-year run on The Incredible Hulk, as well as runs on Aquaman, Young Justice, SpyBoy, Supergirl, Fallen Angel, Spider-Man, Spider-Man 2099, Captain Marvel, and X-Factor.
His Star Trek work included comic books and novels such as the New Frontier book series. His other novels included film adaptations, media tie-ins, and original works, such as the Apropos of Nothing and Knight Life series. His television work includes series such as Babylon 5, Young Justice, Ben 10: Alien Force and Nickelodeon's Space Cases, which he co-created with Bill Mumy.
David often jokingly described his occupation as "Writer of Stuff", and he was noted for his prolific writing, characterized by its mingling of real-world issues with humor and references to popular culture, as well as elements of metafiction and self-reference.
David earned multiple awards for his work, including a 1992 Eisner Award, a 1993 Wizard Fan Award, a 1996 Haxtur Award, a 2007 Julie Award and a 2011 GLAAD Media Award.

Reviews

[Jim C · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book that is based on the Marvel characters. It is actually an adaptation of a comic run. In this one the X-Men are coping with a new member of their team who previously was their enemy. Meanwhile, a scientist develops a "cure" that will turn mutants back to "normal" people.

I never read the comic story run but I thought this was a terrific adaptation. There were parts where I wasn't exactly sure of what happened to put our characters in their current situation but I was never lost and it never affected my reading. Right away I was immersed back in this universe. I thought the author did a terrific job with the portrayal of the characters and their voices. I liked the new dynamic of the team which provided some drama and tension. When I read a book based on a comic universe I would like to see some character development, humor, and obviously some outrageous battles. This book delivered on all those accounts.

This book is exactly what I am looking for when I read a comic prose book. I had no problem picturing the characters or the story. And it delivered on what the X-Men is really about. The message about a group of people being persecuted for who they are and it did this without being heavy handed. If you like these type of books this is one that I recommend as I enjoyed it throughout.

[David Caldwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

First off, this is a prose novel adapted from a graphic novel which collected Astonishing X-men #1-6.

The X-Men are starting another year of teaching young mutants. The team is made up of Scott Summers (Cyclops), Emma Frost(the White Queen), Logan (Wolverine), Hank McCoy (the Beast), and Kitty Pryde (Shadowcat). When they aren't trying to kill each other, they are trying to change people's opinion of mutants as menaces. Now, a scientist claims to have found a cure for the mutant disease. Is this the first step towards the government forcing mutants to give up their powers? Do the X-Men have the right to tell others to not use this chance to lead a life without their mutant powers?

Start with one of the strongest comic book series around. Let Joss Whedon write the series for awhile. Joss excels at writing stories about superhumans that focus not only on the super aspect but the human aspect as well. Then have Peter David adapt the graphic novel (that collected the first six issues and the first story arc). Peter David has experience both as a comic book writer and a novel writer, so he knows very well how to adapt from one medium to the other. This is about the best team that I can think of to do this project.

I think my only complaint is that while this is a complete story, there are parts that are not resolved. This is natural since it is based on just a few issues of an ongoing comic book storyline. I have read the graphic novel collections that followed this one so I know the whole story but I would still have liked to have seen the other graphic novels in the series turned into novels as well.

My favorite little bit from the book is an inside joke about the Beast.
"If he [the Beast] had walked in and announced that he was going to move to Seattle and start giving psychiatric advice on the radio, he could not have received a more astounded look from the others."
Of course, this is a reference to the TV show Fraiser that starred Kelsey Grammer. Kelsey Grammer also provided the voice of the Beast in the X-Men movies.

[Steve · Rating 3 out of 5]

Perfect holiday season light, fun reading (although there isn't really a holiday theme, I just happened to pick it up in the second half of December, and read it rather quickly).

Full disclosure: I've long been entertained by prose novels about conventional/popular comic book super-heroes. I know, I know, they're not for everyone. But ... but ... to the extent I've (pretty much always) enjoyed comic books, why wouldn't I prefer a prose novel, telling the same story (without the drawings, but offering lots more detail and (as a general rule) presenting a complete story arc in a single volume???? C'mon, does anyone else remember being a kid and reading Big Little Books about Aquaman, Batman, Dick Tracy, Daktari, Flipper (you bet!) Space Ghost, Tarzan...??? As a result, over the years, I've read novels featuring Batman, Spider-Man, Superman, and, somewhat recently, the Guardians of the Galaxy ... as well as some less conventional novels, including Soon I Will be Invincible, a personal favorite, and the splendidly entertaining zombie mayhem Ex-Heroes series ... and this book was plucked from a stack of Marvel prose novels I recently acquired (alas, a long, complicated, and value-based story).... Having said all of this, I was never a big X-Men fan, so my expectations for this were low enough that, no doubt, I was easy to please.

Anyway, this is what it is - and it's ain't literature - but it is fun and it's surprisingly gratifying. My guess is this markets well on the YA shelves, but it kept me reading (and turning pages). There were more than enough poignant moments to engage an adult reader, and, frankly, the ending worked well enough to satisfy me with the overall effort.

[Tarl · Rating 4 out of 5]

The X-men, a superhero team that I have always had a bit of an issue with. Sometimes I love them, sometimes I hate them. But yet, here I was, again picking up a novel about them, because for some reason I can't stay away.

David, flat out, did an amazing job with this novel. I realize that it's tied into the comic, but I have read some pretty crappy superhero novels in my time, some of them X-men. David manages to keep the flow of the story interesting, as well as delving into each and every one of the team's personal issues. Heck, he even keeps Cyclops interesting, a massive feat in my eyes. And that's what makes this novel as good as it is, the characters.

'Gifted' deals with the X-men as they are now in the comics, and I have to say the team dynamics are fairly well done. Couple this with a few new students and their interactions both with each other, and with the X-men, keeps the reader interested and engaged. (not to mention, there is pretty much someone in this book you can relate to, which is always a plus)

Another glowing thing in this book is the fight scenes, and there are plenty. David seems to know his way around a punch and manages to keep the fights both interesting and quick. No bogging it down in endless prose or useless details. Instead, he gives you what you need and nothing more.

My only issue with this book was how Kitty was written. Again, this may or may not have to do with David's writing as I have not read the comics. Kitty seems to be treated as far younger than she is in the novel, her inner dialogue sometimes coming across as almost 'Bella-esk' in some of her laments/opinions/etc... Now, it works in the storyline, and really doesn't detract from the story, but it does feel out of character for someone who has been an X-man and done the things they have.

In the end, this was a good book, and I really enjoyed it. Anyone who is a superhero fan, or an X-men fan, I suggest this book to you. There's a good chance I will read this again down the road.

[Neil · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was better than I thought it would be, in some respects. It is an adaptation of the first 4 - 5 issues of the Astonishing X-Men series written by Josh Whedon. It moved at a decent pace; it held my interest throughout the entire book. It has decent character development [I guess], except that I liked some of the characters even less than I had before when reading just the comics. So many I should say it was character devolving or character destruction instead of character development.


What this novelization does is fill in a lot of gaps and explains things that the reader has to interpret while reading the comics [including facial expressions, gestures, and body language in general based on individual pictures]. I did not mind the 'gap-filling' so much, but I did not care so much for what appeared to be the author's insertion of his own views into a story-line written by somebody else. I shall have to go back to read the comics to see if I glossed over what I took to be cracks made by the author , the comments being cracks about do the X-Men have valid drivers licenses to prove they are Americans and other asinine comments directed at 'extremely conservative' views . I get that the X-Men being what they are [hated and feared by those the X-Men protect] lends great possibilities for 'Civil Rights'-kind of stories, but sometimes the shlockery gets to be a bit much and detracts from the story. By the same token, if the storyline had been written today, I am sure some of those same questions Peter David had the various reporters asking would have been included in the comics themselves. It just gets old, because the liberals do not have all of the answers, either, for making the world a better place. Ah, well. Enough soap box.

I did like the 'gaps' being filled in during the novel [such as after Kitty asks Hank where Logan is, and Hank has said that Logan is elsewhere, and that they have narrowed it down to 'else' - it was a great 'scene' and tied directly into Logan appearing in Scott and Emma's bedroom]. There were a lot of 'gap fillers' and backstory in the novel, but it did not necessarily detract from the pace of the novelization. In fact, I think it added to it. For instance, there is quite a bit of gap in the comics from when Peter and Logan perform the much-vaunted 'fastball special' and Ord's ship being brought to the ground. Peter David explains how Logan was able to bring Ord back down by destroying the ship and how Kitty saved Logan and Tildie, none of which was in the book.

I think the 'bad thing' about the book is that the X-Men really suffer in the presentation. Especially Emma Frost. Yes, she is a villain trying to live the straight and narrow, but she is such a horrible person! In the comics, Xavier used to alter people's minds on a regular basis, usually one of those 'the ends justify the means' 'for the greater good' of something [i.e. - forcing people to stop an action with horrible consequences, making people forget things, forcing people to act against their wishes/will to assist in some action, controlling people]. Xavier might have thought he was acting altruistically, but Emma abuses her powers by using them to exact vengeance against those who offend her. It does not matter if they are friends or foe, or even innocents. I felt she was a despicable character already; this novelization only served to cement my feelings/opinions of this woman. Yet she is portrayed as somehow having some kind of moral high ground to judge 'normal humans' merely because she is a mutant who can read the minds of others. She freely admits she will forcibly rearrange people's minds who do not agree with her or do as she wants. It's horrible! How can somebody who claims to be about 'freedoms' and 'rights' and whatnot do the very thing she decries by enforcing her will upon those around her? Yet she is angry with the 'Government' wanting to do the same thing with Mutants? Such hypocrisy.

I think Cyclops actually had some of the best character development in the story. He starts out as a boring jerk and ends as a boring jerk, but he does have an epiphany where he realizes that by attempting to prevent 'The Cure' from being processed, developed, and administered to mutants he is taking away their rights to decide their own destiny. I thought it was a great epiphany for him, especially when he remembered the terror he went through when his mutation first manifested itself. At least he was honest enough to acknowledge he probably would have taken the cure had it been offered to him as a young teenager .

It is almost 'funny', but for a group that claims it wants to 'protect people', they sure did not care very much about the young girl Tildie. Their actions and attitude were at odds with how one pictures a 'super hero' acting when a child is in danger. Then things 'turn around' when Logan saves the day [where we are told that Logan becomes incensed when children are endangered. Really? Not too many pages ago he was ready to dismiss her as a 'casualty of war' [as it were] and not worth saving]. [No, I do not believe it was sarcasm on his part prior to saving the girl, either.] I do not think this book did the best job portraying the X-Men in the positive light in which Cyclops wanted the X-Men to be viewed. But perhaps that was the 'genius' of this book [and the comic series] in that here were people who wanted to make the world a better place, yet it showed them with their warts and all. I shall have to go back and reread the comics to see how the characters do develop in the comics themselves.

I do think Kitty was the best addition to this team. I loved her verbal sparring with Emma and the others.

As everyone knows, Josh did the impossible and brought Colossus 'back to life' in such a way that it was universally accepted by everybody. It was a great idea on his part, and the 'process' by which Colossus is resurrected is utilized later in the comics [to great effect]. It was hard to read about Kitty finding and freeing Colossus from his prison in the comics - not so much his being freed as much as the sound effects from Colossus either seriously injuring or killing the guards. The book makes it very clear as to what he is doing. I get that he was tortured for years, and I do not know how I would respond if I had been tortured for years and then set free with some of my captors nearby. But the fact remains that Peter injured and/or killed those men, and yet we never see any internal regret over his actions. It is never even brought up. Kitty is appalled by it, and prevents him from immediately murdering a guard [who probably still dies from the wounds inflicted by Colossus], but she never wonders how much Peter has changed to the point that he willingly murders other people. It really should have been a powerful moment for the two of them, and it should have had some kind of 'lasting effect' [based on what liberals state should happen in terms of one person killing person, or any living thing], but the opposite happens. They move on as if nothing has happened. It is one of the weirdest parts of the story [and the comic], how they totally blow over Peter's resurrection, imprisonment, torture, and being used for medical experiments.

Emma's quip about how she has the best body money can buy, a superior intellect and excellent wit [in her own inflated opinion] and she still rates second to a corpse is great! hahahahahah Take that, you home-wrecking skank!

I also liked how Peter David focuses on the students as well as the X-Men themselves. There are events that are mentioned in the comics, and he fleshes them out. He also discusses further other events that happened at the school [such as Wing losing his power] and goes further in describing how the students reacted to the events that happened. It was a nice touch, in my opinion.

One thing the book does that makes no sense is, though, is to claim that Wolverine is missing because it is the 'fifth anniversary' of when Jean Grey died. Logan is out trying to get drunk and beaten up in a bar fight as he processes the grief over the death of his unrequited love[r]. He finally shows back up at the Mansion to pick a fight with Scott Summers, who is in bed with Emma Frost. As I said, comments are made that it is the fifth anniversary of Jean's death, but the author does not indicate to which 'death' he is referring. If Peter David is referring to her death as 'the Phoenix' there are comments made in the book referring to Jean having been alive [again] after that point and interacting with the team. In fact, reference is made to Jean having been married to Scott while Scott became involved with Emma. If they are referring to when Xorn killed Jean in New York [as indicated when the comment is made that New York is still in shambles after the attempted mutant take-over after Xorn altered his appearance to look like Magneto], then it has not been five years since her 'death.' Despite this being some kind of blunder on the part of the author, it does not completely distract from the storyline.

The whole referencing of 'don't ask, don't tell' was stupid as well. Hank apparently had some kind of sexual relationship with Kavita Rao when he still appeared human [based on descriptions about sparks between the two and Rao whispering that there were no others after Hank]. Yet when he threatens her with grave bodily harm and threatens to murder her, we are to assume he is taking some kind of high ground with her? And then, when he grills her about whether or not she knew Ord was utilizing mutant cadavers to create 'the Cure', she claims she never asked and he [Ord] never told. That had to be one of the most insipidly stupid comments in the book. Granted, there were plenty of them.

This book does a great job of expanding the original comic book storyline. I did enjoy reading it [despite my disgust of some of the X-Men characters afterwards]. I could not help but wonder if Peter David spoke with Josh Whedon at length about Josh's vision for the Astonishing X-Men series, or if Peter David merely extrapolated from Josh's storyline to write this novel. There was some great material in the novel [in my opinion] that helped further refine and define the characters and the team. It was well done. I am glad I read it.

[Chris The Lizard from Planet X · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Astonishing X-Men: Gifted By Peter David, is an original prose novel based on the Marvel Comic’s Astonishing X-Men comic series.

When former X-Men Kitty Pryde returns to the rebuilt Xavier Institute as an instructor, co-heads Emma Frost and Scott Summers are keen to make the X-Men more of a presence on the world stage again. But when scientists announce a cure for the mutant gene, they find themselves in the midst of a controversy that could turn the mutant world upside down.

Really well-written entry into the X-Men universe with the ground work laid for some intriguing story arcs. If you've seen most of the X-Men movies, you should be able to jump in to this narrative with very little bumps.

I really enjoyed this book. The main problem for me was that the ending of the book felt like the end of a chapter. I felt like there was no resolution. If this was Part 1 in a ongoing book series then I would be okay, but it appears that this X-Men prose novel series will not be continuing, and the only way to continue the story is by picking up the comics this novel is based on.

Overall, X-Men: Gifted is a decent read, but the fact the it just ends on cliffhanger with no resolution was disappointing for me, but I would still recommend to any fans of the X-Men franchise or superhero adventures.

[Lori S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars
We actually get to see the X-Men mix with Nick Fury - not a happy meeting! Also nice to see Kitty Pride as an adult.

[cosmic_truthseeker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't entirely sure how effectively a comic book would translate into prose. I've attempted it myself, before, just for fun, and it can be tough to fully grasp characters' thoughts and feelings. That being said, the prose format provides a better opportunity for this deep dive.

I haven't read the comics run this book adapts. I am, however, familiar with the X-Men. As a result, it was easy to picture the familiar characters, as there's so much art of them. That being said, I felt like description was lacking.

The focus was on the action and the interpersonal relationships. This, though, did mean that it wasn't easy to know what characters I'd never encountered in comics actually looked like. Some effort was made, but it was...limited.

I did like the story, though. It delved into the existential question of what you'd do to be "normal", but also the dangers of "miracles cures". It hit well with me, because it made me question whether I would accept a "cure" for autism just to be normal and not face ostracism, and I questioned whether this "cure" would ultimately be forced on people.

For the record, I wouldn't. There is no "cure" for autism because autism isn't a bad thing.

Anyway, the story was good. The conflict between the characters was well-written, and I liked how time was spent with minor characters to see how they felt about the situation.

Unfortunately, the ending was a little lacklustre. There was good action, but the story fell victim to comic book conventions and returned things to an only slightly different status quo.

In other words (spoiler alert) the cure just kind of disappears and no one needs to worry about it anymore.

So it was good, I enjoyed it, but it loses a star for lack of character description and a copout ending. I also found some of the writing quite clunky, with a bit too much passive description.

[Alex Cahill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was hesitant when I realised this was an audiodrama rather than an audiobook, but this turned out to be a stellar blend of narration, dialogue, music, and sound effects.

I think the action-packed comic format translated really well into an audiodrama. I really hate when characters over explain a situation to fill in the missing context, but the narrator did the heavy lifting which really prevented that, and made it an engaging read.

Having two narrators - Kitty Pryde's first person narration, and the omnipresent third person narrator, did feel a bit pointless, however. This was especially when, towards the end, the omni-narrator told a whole scene about Kitty which felt so normal that I didn't even realise it wasn't through Kitty's point of view.

Glad I chose this book to read, and very glad it didn't trod over the same old X-Men stories I've heard across so many bits of media.

[Sarah Sorochuk · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a strange one but nonetheless I am devestated that it has come to a close. I may not be the biggest X-Men but this one was awesome. Not gonna lie I got fully invested in Kitty and Peter's relationship at the end. They better work out. So cute. Big musscle man and little Kitty. Aside from that fantastic moral delemia, become societys "normal" and revert body back to pre pubertity. Or still with mutant normal and continue to be hated by society. Fantastic delemia. Certainly a hard one. But like Wing, I aint giving up cool ass powers to be a boring normal person. Bleh be unique otherwise whats the point.

[Christopher Dodds · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did enjoy reading this as a fan of the x men, but I don't know it lacked something it didn't feel like the x men to me like it was missing something. In parts it seemed like it was exactly like the comic book version which this is based off and in other parts it did have some expansion on the characters that didn't happen I think in the comic, it was a great read but I think it didn't give me time to really digest what was happening in one chapter before moving onto the next.
Overall an enjoyable story but a one that could have been a bit more original than what went on in the comic.

[Aaron · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was alright. I’ve always been a fan of the X-men cartoon and comic books so I was looking forward to reading this. I thought the storyline was a little weak, and there was not enough action(although the last part of the book improved in this area). The pacing of the book was enough to keep me wanting to read the book.

Side not: I also think it would have been more appropriate to release the Dark Phoenix novelization prior to this one. Timeline wise this book takes place after the events of Dark Phoenix.

[Billy Munich · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first 25 issues of Astonishing X-Men are among my favorite comics. That may be nostalgia speaking, because they were some of the first that I read after rediscovering comics as an adult. I was weary to read an attempted novelization; I tend to hate this sort of thing. Seeing that it was written by Peter David, author of a fantastic run of X-Factor gave me hope.

This novel adapts issues 1-6 and nails it. I very much hope to see the remainder of the run adapted as well.

[Kent Archie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I have seen this story line at some point in the comics, but it has been many tears since I stopped reading Uncanny X-Men, so I am not sure.
Peter David is a skilled writer but sometimes the switching between a third person narrator and a first person (in the character of Kitty Pryde) was kind of clumsy.

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting story that the film 'The Last Stand' was partly based on. The characters are well written and have some interesting conflicts and its nice that it doesn't feel like the normal X-men exploits.

[Stewart · Rating 3 out of 5]

Listened to this in advance of the upcoming series, but I don't think it's connected.

Fine story with great narration. You'll have to roll with getting dumped into the X-Men timeline at a random point and exiting without wrapping up all of the loose ends.

Recommended.

[Enfermo Diaz · Rating 4 out of 5]

The cure

It's a good story but not great. Needs more action and less talking but it's still a good story about how everyone is different and nothing is wrong with you no matter what others say.

[Crazed8J8 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great audiobook prose novel.
Vivid characters, great story, and although the villian is weak, the overall plot is great! Follows the Graphic Novel it is drawn from pretty closely. Well-written and incredibly well voice-acted!

[Michael Tigges · Rating 3 out of 5]

Placing verbal dress on the X-Men frames was enjoyable. The author did not disappoint. Character dives were faithful to my expectations. Fascinating twist with antagonist brought needed suspense. Emma and Kitty tension kept storyline moving. Colossal shocker at end brought completion.

[Xan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Han tenido aventuras mucho mejores, y tambien peores.

[Travis Cummins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent adaptation of an excellent comic book story arc!

[Edward Davies · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was actually a lot more entertaining that I thought it might be.

[Garrett · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very straightforward prose adaptation of Whedon & Cassaday's first 6 or 7 issues, but with some additional material that in some cases, enriches the story.

[Stephen Johns · Rating 5 out of 5]

Peter David took Joss Whedon’s story and made it his own. Great story. Peter really knows how to write x-men stories. And he did Kitty Pryde great justice.

[Indah Threez Lestari · Rating 3 out of 5]

84 - 2023

[Cal · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rating: D

[Cassie · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s okay? It’s an adaption of like, six issues of a comic, so not much gets resolved, some parts feel rushed and some parts feel incredibly drawn out. Nature of the beast, I suppose.

[Patrick Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good adaptation of the comic book storyline. The characters are all done well and it gives more detail and depth to the story and characters that might not might not have been able to fit into writing in the comics. There's also emotional weight to it all. Just a very good adaptation.

[James Biser · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an entertaining x-men tale about a team of mutants that face impossible odds and survive.

[Aivel · Rating 3 out of 5]

The plot of the book taken from the graphic novel of the same series is actually pretty basic for a super hero team, I have not read the graphic novel so i cannot say how it holds up to the original version or how much it diverge from the graphic novel. What i can say is that this is my 3rd book from Peter David, I have read his novelization of the first Iron-Man and the Incredible Hulk movies, and both show me that David is one hell of a writer, He seem to know the innate strength and weakness of each particular genre. Like in the movie, its strength is in its visuals while the novel form its strength is that it can dig deeper into the character and he did that with the 2 books, He-he I never thought Bruce Banner has such a sarcastic inner voice it actually makes him funny or that Tony Stark is just a misunderstood playboy. Peter David makes the superhero actually human. So I went into this book expecting more of the same and He definitely did not disappoint. Since I did not read the original I don't know which part is from the graphic novel and which is from David. I love the team dynamics, usually with stories that stars a team, the members trust each other explicitly and they work as a family, while in this book fights seems to breakout every time they are in the same room together and there is always a slight mistrust at the back of their mind, it actually made it funny and the fact that given their histories and personality being able to work together and trust each other with their lives for a common goal makes them more heroic in my eyes. The scene in the Danger Room wherein they are in the Hawaii, each of them are so juvenile its hilarious. For me the star of the show is Emma Frost, as in she actually has better leadership skills than Scott Summers, the fact that she can handle Logan is a testament to her leadership skills. It is actually heartbreaking when she told Beast that she has a drop dead gorgeous body, intellect and wit to match but she still rate second to a corpse. This is one readable book even for those who are not familiar with the marvel universe because as always David wrote the characters as humans who just happens to have superpowers and not as superheroes.