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X-Men/Fantastic Four: 4X #1-4
X-Men/Fantastic Four: 4X
KRAKOA. Every known mutant lives there...except for one. But now it's time for FRANKLIN RICHARDS to come home. It's the X-MEN vs. the FANTASTIC FOUR, and nothing will ever be the same. COLLECTING: X-MEN/FANTASTIC FOUR (2020) 1-4
128 pages, Paperback
First published September 15, 2020
27 people are currently reading
246 people want to read
About the author
Chip Zdarsky
877 books857 followersChip Zdarsky is a Canadian comic book artist and journalist. He was born Steve Murray but is known by his fan base as Chip Zdarsky, and occasionally Todd Diamond. He writes and illustrates an advice column called Extremely Bad Advice for the Canadian national newspaper National Post's The Ampersand, their pop culture section's online edition. He is also the creator of Prison Funnies and Monster Cops.
Source: Wikipedia.
Source: Wikipedia.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 177 reviews
November 12, 2020
A surprisingly tight Limited Serial craftily connected to its predecessor Fantastic Four vs. X-Men #1, from decades back in the Chris Claremont days! Jonathan Hickman has turned the Marvel universe up with Dawn of X Vol. 1 and this series builds upon that. The vast majority of mutants now reside on Krakoa, and Xavier, Magneto and co. feel it's time mutant (and son of Fantastic Four's Reed & Sue), Franklin Richards joined them!
Zdarsky as ever produces a solid script some interesting twists, but most of all he really captures how this new world is changing the mutants... I don't often say this about Limited Serials, but especially with some of the weaknesses in most of the Dawn of X books, this is a must-read series! What reaigns supreme is that Zdarky is brave enough to show us clearly that the mutants are becoming the very dangerous treat that their dissenters always feared. Loved some of Ben Grimm's snark in this series. Oh, and the villain of the piece... he wears a cape and a mask. 7.5 out of 12.
Zdarsky as ever produces a solid script some interesting twists, but most of all he really captures how this new world is changing the mutants... I don't often say this about Limited Serials, but especially with some of the weaknesses in most of the Dawn of X books, this is a must-read series! What reaigns supreme is that Zdarky is brave enough to show us clearly that the mutants are becoming the very dangerous treat that their dissenters always feared. Loved some of Ben Grimm's snark in this series. Oh, and the villain of the piece... he wears a cape and a mask. 7.5 out of 12.
July 24, 2020
The basic premise is that the X-Men come knocking on the FF's door to invite Franklin Richards to Krakoa since he's a mutant. Zdarsky knocked it out of the park with this. He reaches all the way back to the original X-Men vs. FF book from the 80's to establish a relationship between Kitty and Franklin. He nails both the current X-Men and Fantastic Four situations while alluding to bigger things. He even manages to expand on a certain someone's powers (No, not Franklin's.). It's clear that Zdarsky needs to write the Fantastic Four. The Dodsons' art is outstanding as is par for the course when it comes to those two.
July 24, 2020
Esta historia cuenta la decisión de Franklin Richards, el hijo de la pareja de Sue y Reed de los cuatro fantásticos, de unirse a la nueva nació mutante de la isla Krakoa.
Desde luego hay mucho drama y confusión entre los padres del joven contra los nuevos adalides de la República autónoma mutante: Xavier y Magneto. Kitty como siempre es requerida cuando se trata de niños a presentar su mejor faceta de maestra y se verán implicados todos en un enredo con el mismo Doom. Se extraña tener a artistas como Dodson a cargo de los mutantes y siempre le da su gran toque a los escenarios.
Desde luego hay mucho drama y confusión entre los padres del joven contra los nuevos adalides de la República autónoma mutante: Xavier y Magneto. Kitty como siempre es requerida cuando se trata de niños a presentar su mejor faceta de maestra y se verán implicados todos en un enredo con el mismo Doom. Se extraña tener a artistas como Dodson a cargo de los mutantes y siempre le da su gran toque a los escenarios.
September 26, 2020
Vote: ☆☆☆ 1/2 (Read as single issues)
A decent sequel to the Claremont's classic Fantastic Four vs. the X-Men 1987 mini-series and Zdarsky totally nailed Doom's character here making Victor outshadow the whole cast and take Richards and Xavier down a peg or two.
Sadly premise was far better than the ride for me, the
Still a good read besides that, and Franklin in Krakoa and Ben calling it a new Genosha promise great things for future Dawn of X related storylines.
Kudos to author and artist for the
August 3, 2022
A conflict that absolutely none of these incredibly intelligent people should be having, and one that's only here for some good ol' superhero beatdowns. The resolution is very predictable, and the stakes never really feel anything but low. That being said, this is still an enjoyable read if you're looking for some near mindless entertainment. It's rather like a B Grade Marvel film; forced action that's fun to watch despite the motivations.
July 22, 2020
Superb. This is probably one of the best titles to come out of the Hickman era Dawn of X titles. Zdarsky along with Cates are probably Marvel's best writers currently. Before jumping into this book I would recommend that you read Dawn of X Vol. 1 & Marvel Two-In-One, Vol. 1: Fate of the Four to get a little background and flavor of where this series is going. This is also good looking series as well. The team of Terry & Rachel Dodson work perfectly here and I love looking at each page. Zdarsky perfectly writes not just the Fantastic Four each with their unique voice but he carries over the flavor that Hickman is bringing to the X-men flawless. The dialogue is exquisite on each issue. This is the first time in a while we get a good Dr. Doom being the villain story. The basic story here is about a family trying to stay together even though circumstances and the changes in the mutant status quo are pulling one of its important members away. I knew ever since I read Hickman's X-men that Franklin Richards would have to choose to remain with his family or to go live with his fellow mutants on Krakoa. I admit at the beginning of this tale I felt the X-men were the bad guys but Zdarsky did a great job of still giving us shades of the X-men's heroic side by the end. Speaking of endings the end of this book has some incredible ramifications for the future of the larger Marvel universe. There is great potential here for a war that is brewing between mutant kind and the humans. It is going to be interesting to see how the superhero community is going to respond to the growing scale of the mutant kingdom of Krakoa. This was a spectacularly done miniseries. I really hope someday Marvel puts Chip Zdarsky on the main Fantastic Four series. He really gets the family dynamic of the team. I know the collected edition comes out in September but since I collected it in single issues I had to get this review out asap.
July 23, 2020
This was fun, and I enjoyed watching the two superhero teams clash. Always glad to see Kate Pryde as a major player in a story, and Franklin was interesting. I hope he continues to grow in the X-titles. 4/5 stars
October 27, 2020
Chip Zdarsky does a fantastic job (see what I did there?) of exploring the darker side of what the X-Men are becoming in Jonathan Hickman's regime without coming down against it 100%. When Doctor Doom is pointing out the negative side of what your doing, though, X-guys, surely you have to stop and think, eh?
This book actually gives me hope for the X-Men actually becoming heroic again at some point in the future, though, so I thank it for that, because their current status quo makes me very, very sad.
Mutant politics aside, this is a great story that contains some real character growth for the FF, if not the X-Men. Despite the X-Men having top billing, this actually feels more like a Fantastic Four story, dealing as it does with Franklin's mutant status. Well worth a read for FF fans, even those of us who are hating the current X-regime... or, perhaps, especially so.
This book actually gives me hope for the X-Men actually becoming heroic again at some point in the future, though, so I thank it for that, because their current status quo makes me very, very sad.
Mutant politics aside, this is a great story that contains some real character growth for the FF, if not the X-Men. Despite the X-Men having top billing, this actually feels more like a Fantastic Four story, dealing as it does with Franklin's mutant status. Well worth a read for FF fans, even those of us who are hating the current X-regime... or, perhaps, especially so.
August 1, 2020
This was probably one of Chip's weaker works but saying that, it had its moments.
X-Men are doing things different now and they come to Franklin to see if he'd like to come to their island. However, momma bear said FUCK NO, and pushes back big time. Mr. Fantastic also has to get inbetween and the Thing and Human torch each do their own thing. The big issue is NOBODY is listening to Franklin here. Well not till he is kidnapped by Dr. Doom that is.
The first issue is actually really exciting and the last issue goes out with a bang. The final few pages made this mini-series very much worth reading. But the art never reaches great heights, and I feel like the story itself seems everyone is pit against each other because, well, it sells. It feels oddly inorganic, which isn't like Chip.
Saying that I could see the end results causing some MAJOR issues down the line for some characters. I'm excited. A 3 out of 5.
X-Men are doing things different now and they come to Franklin to see if he'd like to come to their island. However, momma bear said FUCK NO, and pushes back big time. Mr. Fantastic also has to get inbetween and the Thing and Human torch each do their own thing. The big issue is NOBODY is listening to Franklin here. Well not till he is kidnapped by Dr. Doom that is.
The first issue is actually really exciting and the last issue goes out with a bang. The final few pages made this mini-series very much worth reading. But the art never reaches great heights, and I feel like the story itself seems everyone is pit against each other because, well, it sells. It feels oddly inorganic, which isn't like Chip.
Saying that I could see the end results causing some MAJOR issues down the line for some characters. I'm excited. A 3 out of 5.
November 4, 2020
Very well done as a book to bridge the stories of the relaunched FF and the bold new direction of the X-books. I still might not care all that much about Franklin as a character, but if he's now going to serve as a point of tension between Marvel's Merry Mutants and the rest of Earth's superpowered community that may come to change.
Also, how many times do people need to learn to not threaten Sue's kids in her own house? Just rude!
Thank heavens she shows some restraint as there's no doubt she could've crushed Erik like a grape here.
Also, how many times do people need to learn to not threaten Sue's kids in her own house? Just rude!
Thank heavens she shows some restraint as there's no doubt she could've crushed Erik like a grape here.
January 29, 2021
COLLECTS X-MEN/FANTASTIC FOUR (2020) ISSUES #1-4
I love Chip Zdarksky's work, and I think he really excels at writing the Fantastic Four. I am a big fan of his recent FF series, "Marvel 2-in-One," starring Human Torch and The Thing, and I think Zdarsky should take over the main "Fantastic Four" series when Dan Slott is done on the title. My guess is that Zdarsky has a stronger attachment to the FF over the X-Men because the FF definitely came off as the heroes of this story, while the X-Men and Dr. Doom showed more of the villainous qualities. I like Jonathan Hickman's new direction for the X-Men, but they definitely can't be fully trusted at this point.
Just under a year ago, I read the Chris Claremont miniseries from the 1980s called "Fantastic Four Vs. X-Men." Zdarksky's story here had a surprising amount of connects to that story from 30+ years ago.
Great artwork. Great story. 5 stars.
I love Chip Zdarksky's work, and I think he really excels at writing the Fantastic Four. I am a big fan of his recent FF series, "Marvel 2-in-One," starring Human Torch and The Thing, and I think Zdarsky should take over the main "Fantastic Four" series when Dan Slott is done on the title. My guess is that Zdarsky has a stronger attachment to the FF over the X-Men because the FF definitely came off as the heroes of this story, while the X-Men and Dr. Doom showed more of the villainous qualities. I like Jonathan Hickman's new direction for the X-Men, but they definitely can't be fully trusted at this point.
Just under a year ago, I read the Chris Claremont miniseries from the 1980s called "Fantastic Four Vs. X-Men." Zdarksky's story here had a surprising amount of connects to that story from 30+ years ago.
Great artwork. Great story. 5 stars.
June 10, 2023
Es interesante como se retoman algunos de los temas de La serie de los 80, pero la historia tiene poca chicha, abusa de los tópicos del superhéroe actual (Todos conspiran y se mienten unos a otros) y se centra en un exceso de peleas que no llevan a ninguna parte.
February 6, 2020
Franklin Richards is the son of Reed Richards and Sue Storm. They’re members of the Fantastic Four who were changed into superhumans by cosmic rays. Franklin however, is a mutant born with omega level abilities. Lately, he has been having troubles with his powers and no one seems to know why.
On Krakoa, Charles Xavier believes it’s time to bring Franklin home to live with the other mutants. The professor and a few of his X-Men show up at the door of the Fantastic Four and try to convince Franklin’s parents to surrender the boy over to Krakoa, where he belongs.
As you can imagine the Richards’ aren’t too keen on letting Charles steal their little boy away from them. It all goes south quite quickly. Franklin doesn’t even have the opportunity to voice his opinion on HIS life and wishes. Katherine Pryde, who has a special place in Franklin’s heart, urges him to do what he wants.
That is all I will leave you with for plot, as anything further would be major spoilers. But believe me when I say that you’ll want to pick this up. Even if you haven’t been following along with the rest of the X-Men relaunch, this is still a great and easy to follow read.
The writing on this is absolutely wonderful, but I am biased, I absolutely adore Chip Zdarsky. Nothing about his writing ever seems forced or feigned. I especially find his dialogue to be authentic and true to life and it’s an important quality in a comic to me. I’m not familiar with Terry and Rachel Dodson’s art or Laura Martin’s colors, but the art was absolutely gorgeous. Honestly, all the work on the Dawn of X relaunch has been incredible, and that’s something no one can discredit from all these creators' work.
4.5/5 stars from me and a heavy suggestion to go pick this up!
On Krakoa, Charles Xavier believes it’s time to bring Franklin home to live with the other mutants. The professor and a few of his X-Men show up at the door of the Fantastic Four and try to convince Franklin’s parents to surrender the boy over to Krakoa, where he belongs.
As you can imagine the Richards’ aren’t too keen on letting Charles steal their little boy away from them. It all goes south quite quickly. Franklin doesn’t even have the opportunity to voice his opinion on HIS life and wishes. Katherine Pryde, who has a special place in Franklin’s heart, urges him to do what he wants.
That is all I will leave you with for plot, as anything further would be major spoilers. But believe me when I say that you’ll want to pick this up. Even if you haven’t been following along with the rest of the X-Men relaunch, this is still a great and easy to follow read.
The writing on this is absolutely wonderful, but I am biased, I absolutely adore Chip Zdarsky. Nothing about his writing ever seems forced or feigned. I especially find his dialogue to be authentic and true to life and it’s an important quality in a comic to me. I’m not familiar with Terry and Rachel Dodson’s art or Laura Martin’s colors, but the art was absolutely gorgeous. Honestly, all the work on the Dawn of X relaunch has been incredible, and that’s something no one can discredit from all these creators' work.
4.5/5 stars from me and a heavy suggestion to go pick this up!
July 27, 2020
"Make no mistake: Doom recognizes the country of Krakoa. But I do not recognize that claws protrude from your body makes you worthier than a human who dedicates their life to diplomacy and the study of culture. It is insulting. You are insulting, Charles, with this pretence of superiority. Doom will help this young man because it is what Doom wishes to do with his power, power that he has earned, while you were simply born with it."
September 11, 2020
Is it really possible to spin your wheels for four issues and go nowhere? Yes, apparently it is. The plotline here of throwing the FF and the X-Men together is a good one, and starts off quite well; then Doctor Doom gets involved for literally no reason and it all goes a bit pear-shaped, before ending on a total non-ending bar one tense scene between Reed and Xavier.
It's disappointing, is what it is. Zdarsky's entries into F4 canon previously have been excellent, but this just feels bland.
Also bland is the art from Terry Dodson. The guy's covers are amazing, but his sequential art has really suffered lately; I think he needs a lot more lead time than he got for these issues (even with the pandemic delaying the last issue), and it definitely shows.
Not all of the Dawn Of X books are going to be amazing, but it's a shame it was this one that broke the streak for me.
It's disappointing, is what it is. Zdarsky's entries into F4 canon previously have been excellent, but this just feels bland.
Also bland is the art from Terry Dodson. The guy's covers are amazing, but his sequential art has really suffered lately; I think he needs a lot more lead time than he got for these issues (even with the pandemic delaying the last issue), and it definitely shows.
Not all of the Dawn Of X books are going to be amazing, but it's a shame it was this one that broke the streak for me.
December 17, 2021
4X is a fun Fantastic Four/X-Men mash-up, but it ultimately feels like the one-off that it is. Franklin Richards is recruited to Krakoa, but Reed and Sue don't want him to go. Because this kind of thing can't be resolved via discussion, this issue naturally leads to fisticuffs. It's a fairly silly premise for some decent fight scenes.
Fortunately, much of the book involves Doctor Doom, who is as clever and matter-of-fact as ever. The Invisible Woman also gets to show off her (unexpectedly staggering??) power set. 4X is a fast read with great Dodson art, but the end result is never really in doubt. That coda, though...
Fortunately, much of the book involves Doctor Doom, who is as clever and matter-of-fact as ever. The Invisible Woman also gets to show off her (unexpectedly staggering??) power set. 4X is a fast read with great Dodson art, but the end result is never really in doubt. That coda, though...
April 9, 2023
This was a great story that focused on Franklin Richards and the duality of his who he is and who the people around him want him to be. This book exemplifies how becoming your own person can be difficult when there are others who feel like they’ve got some type or form of claim over you. The toxicity of parentage and birthright are dialed up in this story while also dealing with manipulation from a popular Fantastic Four villain. Overall, the way the characters interact, present their stances, come to understanding, and ultimately work to resolve their conflicts is why I found these four issues to be very, very good and complete story.
March 26, 2021
Quem é fã hardcore dos X-Men vai reparar que nesta minissérie, trazida em encadernado ao Brasil pela Panini Comics, os uniformes dos membros da nação mutante de Krakoa estão desestabilizados. Ou eles não usam o uniforme atual, como Vampira, ou mudam no decorrer da história, como Magneto e Bishop. Mas inconsistências à parte Chip Zdarsky e Terry Dodson entregam uma história divertida, cativante, com certa profundidade científica e desenhos belíssimos. A decisão de Franklin Richards ficar em Krakoa com os X-Men ou com o Quarteto em Nova York é pano de fundo de uma batalha na Ilha Destino e remonta alguns clássicos encontros entre as duas equipes. Zdarsky mostrou em Marvel Two-In-One que sabe escrever um bom Quarteto Fantástico e também sabe lidar bem com os X-Men. Outro deslize que é preciso falar é sobre a edição do gibi pela Panini Comics Brasil, cheia de problemas de revisão, inclusive com o título do encadernado mudando de "O Menino Impossível" na capa para "O Garoto Impossível" no interior. Mas, como eu disse, problemas à parte, não esragam o encanto, a diversão e o escapismo que a história em quadrinhos proporciona.
November 22, 2021
I loved this!
A lot of the moral questions surrounding Krakoa are sometimes easy to overlook when reading the insular Dawn of X titles.
Seeing this stuff bleed over into Fantastic Four gave us a chance to truly explore the ramifications of Krakoan mutant autonomy.
While this definitely drew inspiration from real life issues, it was not an ethics paper or a political advertisement. The political concepts were there, but remained in service to an entertaining and intriguing story that was well paced from cover to cover.
I will almost certainly revisit this one.
A lot of the moral questions surrounding Krakoa are sometimes easy to overlook when reading the insular Dawn of X titles.
Seeing this stuff bleed over into Fantastic Four gave us a chance to truly explore the ramifications of Krakoan mutant autonomy.
While this definitely drew inspiration from real life issues, it was not an ethics paper or a political advertisement. The political concepts were there, but remained in service to an entertaining and intriguing story that was well paced from cover to cover.
I will almost certainly revisit this one.
July 24, 2020
**Read as Single Issues**
Well, it's over.
That's the best I can say about this.
To start, full disclosure: 1) I'm a long-time FF adherent, through thick and thin. 2) I'm familiar with the X-Men, and while I haven't read every issue of the "New X-Universe/ Dawn of X" books, I've been keeping up with the overall story arcs.
This mini-series suffered from the same problem that A vs X (and Civil War, et al.) suffered from; someone(s) trying to impose their will over other people "for the greater good". It's like people in the Marvel Universe never learn.
The problems beyond that? The characterization seemed off for most of the cast, (but ESPECIALLY Dr. Doom !!), the art seemed more and more rushed each issue (and I normally LOVE the Dodsons!!), and THAT ENDING?? (No spoilers, but I'm not sure I'm liking the aforementioned direction they seem to be heading with this X-Universe.)
The good? They're FINALLY starting to work on the Franklin Richards issue, the relationship between Kate Pryde and Franklin is endearing, and seeing Sue Storm being a bad-ass is ALWAYS awesome. (See my "Invisible Woman" mini-series review.)
Well, it's over.
That's the best I can say about this.
To start, full disclosure: 1) I'm a long-time FF adherent, through thick and thin. 2) I'm familiar with the X-Men, and while I haven't read every issue of the "New X-Universe/ Dawn of X" books, I've been keeping up with the overall story arcs.
This mini-series suffered from the same problem that A vs X (and Civil War, et al.) suffered from; someone(s) trying to impose their will over other people "for the greater good". It's like people in the Marvel Universe never learn.
The problems beyond that? The characterization seemed off for most of the cast, (but ESPECIALLY Dr. Doom !!), the art seemed more and more rushed each issue (and I normally LOVE the Dodsons!!), and THAT ENDING?? (No spoilers, but I'm not sure I'm liking the aforementioned direction they seem to be heading with this X-Universe.)
The good? They're FINALLY starting to work on the Franklin Richards issue, the relationship between Kate Pryde and Franklin is endearing, and seeing Sue Storm being a bad-ass is ALWAYS awesome. (See my "Invisible Woman" mini-series review.)
March 5, 2021
I really enjoyed this, Zadarsky really should be writing the Fantastic Four’s ongoing he really understands these characters and has a great handle on their family dynamic. I also think he did a great job writing the X-men honestly why hasn’t Marvel given him an X-book yet either. Art is by Terry Dodson which is fantastic as always.
February 21, 2022
Family dynamics, politics, human/mutant rights, old enemies all come together in an observation of the new world we find ourselves in after Hickman’s relaunch. I think it could have enjoyed its action scenes more they were basically over before they began. I would have liked to have seen Franklin’s new status quo. This story had the potential to be a 5 star but fell short.
December 16, 2020
Really liked it!
Great, solid story and great artwork!
Zdarsky KNOWS how to write. Period. Also how to be in character with some great punchlines and dialogue.
Fun read!
If you're reading HoX/PoX titles, you HAVE to read this one too!
Great, solid story and great artwork!
Zdarsky KNOWS how to write. Period. Also how to be in character with some great punchlines and dialogue.
Fun read!
If you're reading HoX/PoX titles, you HAVE to read this one too!
May 26, 2021
Meh
I fail to see how this mediocre story will have any impact in the future. Not Zdarsky nor Dodson best work.
I fail to see how this mediocre story will have any impact in the future. Not Zdarsky nor Dodson best work.
July 29, 2020
Meh. Missed opportunity.
Is Franklin ever going to interact with Rachel, the love of his life in another timeline? Their ages don't match up currently, so it could just be awkward. But at least now they're both post-pubescent and have access to their powers. Because Franklin is now somewhere between 14-16, and Rachel is usually drawn somewhere between 18 and 22, it is now conceivable that if they waited a few years they could actually be together.
Anyway. This is just another story forcing the X-Men and FF to team up and interact for a few issues. This one is unusual for specifically referencing the first time that happened back in the 80s, when Kitty was trapped in an intangible state in Doom's lab. For the first time in 20, 30 years that specific story is referenced and attention is put on the fact Kitty Pryde and Franklin were friends in that story. There hasn't been much to that relationship for decades, but it was nice to have it referenced again if you're big on canon.
Not too much of significance happened.
Is Franklin ever going to interact with Rachel, the love of his life in another timeline? Their ages don't match up currently, so it could just be awkward. But at least now they're both post-pubescent and have access to their powers. Because Franklin is now somewhere between 14-16, and Rachel is usually drawn somewhere between 18 and 22, it is now conceivable that if they waited a few years they could actually be together.
Anyway. This is just another story forcing the X-Men and FF to team up and interact for a few issues. This one is unusual for specifically referencing the first time that happened back in the 80s, when Kitty was trapped in an intangible state in Doom's lab. For the first time in 20, 30 years that specific story is referenced and attention is put on the fact Kitty Pryde and Franklin were friends in that story. There hasn't been much to that relationship for decades, but it was nice to have it referenced again if you're big on canon.
Not too much of significance happened.
March 29, 2021
Mostly read this to figure out what’s up with Franklin and I was happy to find a decent little series. I think thIs is one of the first big interactions with the outside world that mutants have had since the relaunch. Neat! Excited to see where this gets picked up.
November 15, 2020
This was a mostly inconsequential four-issue series that deals with the issue of Franklin Richards being one of the most powerful mutants in the world, but not being part of the Krakoan society that most of the other mutants now belong to. Franklin Richards is coming of age and has an issue with his powers, which seem to be depleting as he uses them. Professor X and Magneto show up to recruit the now teenage Franklin to Krakoa, where they hope they can analyze the situation with his powers and come up with a viable solution.
Unfortunately what always happens with these This Team vs. That Team! books is that you have a contrived conflict that arises from a situation where characters stubbornly act like asshats and refuse to actually say the most obvious and reasonable thing that would defuse the conflict entirely. I'm left wondering "why doesn't this person just say this?" or "why doesn't this character clearly explain their intent?" and the end result is always frustrating and unbelievable. Charles Xavier and Magneto never clearly state that they want to help Franklin figure out the situation with his powers, and his parents naturally assume that they're trying to take their son away. Things get heated and people start assuming the worst of each other and throwing punches.
And that's the book in a nutshell. Doctor Doom gets involved, because of course he does, and I've greatly enjoyed the relationship he has with Valeria Richards, which is delightfully represented here. Doom contrives a rather obvious diplomatic trap that the X-Men fall into, and in the end I felt he gave ground way too easily to the mutants, when from a clearly diplomatic standpoint, they were pretty clearly in the wrong, regardless of whatever nefarious schemes Doom had going on in his own house. The final scene has Professor X going ham in a way that portrays him as a pretty threatening menace, and I'm on board with anything that furthers the idea that Xavier is basically a creep.
The series had some fun callbacks to the original Fantastic Four vs. X-Men book from 1987, proving that writer Chip Zdarsky has done his homework, and some of the dialog was enjoyable, but these kind of Marvel books that pit one team versus another tend to be more tedious than enjoyable. The Dodsons delivered clean, crisp art as always that is lovely to look at, but I do agree with the assessment others have expressed that here it feels somewhat rushed in places. Ultimately, this is a pretty skippable book (nothing of importance happens that can't be explained in a single sentence), but if you're a completist, by all means, check it out--you could certainly do a lot worse.
Unfortunately what always happens with these This Team vs. That Team! books is that you have a contrived conflict that arises from a situation where characters stubbornly act like asshats and refuse to actually say the most obvious and reasonable thing that would defuse the conflict entirely. I'm left wondering "why doesn't this person just say this?" or "why doesn't this character clearly explain their intent?" and the end result is always frustrating and unbelievable. Charles Xavier and Magneto never clearly state that they want to help Franklin figure out the situation with his powers, and his parents naturally assume that they're trying to take their son away. Things get heated and people start assuming the worst of each other and throwing punches.
And that's the book in a nutshell. Doctor Doom gets involved, because of course he does, and I've greatly enjoyed the relationship he has with Valeria Richards, which is delightfully represented here. Doom contrives a rather obvious diplomatic trap that the X-Men fall into, and in the end I felt he gave ground way too easily to the mutants, when from a clearly diplomatic standpoint, they were pretty clearly in the wrong, regardless of whatever nefarious schemes Doom had going on in his own house. The final scene has Professor X going ham in a way that portrays him as a pretty threatening menace, and I'm on board with anything that furthers the idea that Xavier is basically a creep.
The series had some fun callbacks to the original Fantastic Four vs. X-Men book from 1987, proving that writer Chip Zdarsky has done his homework, and some of the dialog was enjoyable, but these kind of Marvel books that pit one team versus another tend to be more tedious than enjoyable. The Dodsons delivered clean, crisp art as always that is lovely to look at, but I do agree with the assessment others have expressed that here it feels somewhat rushed in places. Ultimately, this is a pretty skippable book (nothing of importance happens that can't be explained in a single sentence), but if you're a completist, by all means, check it out--you could certainly do a lot worse.
July 24, 2021
X-Men 2021 project continues!
Previously:
House of X/Powers of X ⭐⭐⭐
X-Men, Vol. 1 ⭐⭐
Marauders, Vol. 1 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Excalibur, Vol. 1 ⭐⭐⭐
Honestly, Chip Zdarsky did good. This miniseries takes us on the journey of the tried and true Everyone Fights Because Nobody Wants to Sit Down and Actually TALK fights, and it's even more heightened because the reason the fighting starts makes complete and total sense on Sue Storm's part. Charles Xavier and Magneto just show up and say, "Hi Sue, we're taking your teenage son to Krakoa now" and she's just expected to say okay? I'd be fucking enraged too.
Add onto that the fact that Franklin's powers are fading away and Reed does what Reed's big dumb smart head always does and unwittingly pushes his son away, and you have some nice family drama to add to the mix.
Things happen, the F4 spy on the Krakoan council, Kitty and Franklin and Val end up with Doom who claims to be able to help Franklin, and more fighting ensues! Doom's a bad guy and tricks them all, F4 and Mutants alike!
I do love Doom in this, if only for this poke at Xavier:
(Link to full image)
Which pretty much puts all of the Dawn of X era into perspective and why it feels so weird to have Xavier doing all of this.
In fact, this whole BOOK is about the hubris of all these great powerful men and how their hubris gets not only in their own way, but in the way of those they claim to be doing their best to protect.
Then there's the end, where Xavier and Magneto put Reed in his place in a way that feels really disgusting and I hope comes back in some big way down the road. That could be the seed being planted for some great plot in the future, and if it does, I'll be here for it.
Previously:
House of X/Powers of X ⭐⭐⭐
X-Men, Vol. 1 ⭐⭐
Marauders, Vol. 1 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Excalibur, Vol. 1 ⭐⭐⭐
Honestly, Chip Zdarsky did good. This miniseries takes us on the journey of the tried and true Everyone Fights Because Nobody Wants to Sit Down and Actually TALK fights, and it's even more heightened because the reason the fighting starts makes complete and total sense on Sue Storm's part. Charles Xavier and Magneto just show up and say, "Hi Sue, we're taking your teenage son to Krakoa now" and she's just expected to say okay? I'd be fucking enraged too.
Add onto that the fact that Franklin's powers are fading away and Reed does what Reed's big dumb smart head always does and unwittingly pushes his son away, and you have some nice family drama to add to the mix.
Things happen, the F4 spy on the Krakoan council, Kitty and Franklin and Val end up with Doom who claims to be able to help Franklin, and more fighting ensues! Doom's a bad guy and tricks them all, F4 and Mutants alike!
I do love Doom in this, if only for this poke at Xavier:
(Link to full image)
Which pretty much puts all of the Dawn of X era into perspective and why it feels so weird to have Xavier doing all of this.
In fact, this whole BOOK is about the hubris of all these great powerful men and how their hubris gets not only in their own way, but in the way of those they claim to be doing their best to protect.
Then there's the end, where Xavier and Magneto put Reed in his place in a way that feels really disgusting and I hope comes back in some big way down the road. That could be the seed being planted for some great plot in the future, and if it does, I'll be here for it.
February 24, 2021
For a relative newcomer to both teams (having only read the current Dawn of X and Fantastic Four(2018) runs on each), this felt welcoming to someone without a huge knowledge of the previous continuity. It incorporated my favorite team from Dawn of X (marauders) and effectively displayed the family dynamics of the FF. The arguments from Sue Storm about the X-men believing one of her children is superior to the other addressed a criticism I was hoping the general populous would have of the mutants who have openly stated that they are superior to all else. Forcing Cyclops to awkwardly confront this was a great moment. Additionally, the ideas about letting go of a child were fine, however, this theme is so cliche that it didn't particularly impress me. Franklin was an interesting character and his want of his mutant powers was an interesting point of tension, however, these type of rebellious stories just feel a bit simple now. The art by Terry and Rachel Dodson was very nice and complimented the story well. The Doom plot closer to the end fell a little flat for me. The ideas about superiority of intellect presented by Doom to Valerie were interesting and his constant ego against Reed was fun. However, the Doom bots felt dull and overdone. They were so quickly dispatched by the teams that they were more laughable than threatening. Additionally, the teams killing a Latverian mutant was not addressed as much as I would like as I think this would have shaken some of the team more than it did.
Overall, this mini series was a really fun story with two fun and unique teams. It acted as a welcoming invite into the worlds of both teams with some great art and character work.
Overall, this mini series was a really fun story with two fun and unique teams. It acted as a welcoming invite into the worlds of both teams with some great art and character work.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 1, 2021
Esperava mais desse encadernado para ser sincero... o momento de escolha em permanecer em sua estabilidade com sua família e ir para a faculdade em um lugar novo, talvez uma carga dramática maior em relação a isso.
O fato é que é um pouco esperado a decisão porém ela foi realizada com a ajuda de destino que tem sim uma motivação plausível e melhor explorada no final porém no meio tem uma arte que varia muito dos padrões x-hickman e parecem muito feito as preças. Eu gostei do quadrinho e da finalização. É incrível que ao mesmo tempo que amamos os xMen passamos pano para eles pois com certeza eles seriam cancelados hj em dia.
Oque afetou um pouco a minha leitura foi o fato de eu n ser um conhecedor do quarteto e desconheço a relação que há entre destino e os filhos da Sue. Mas conseguimos entender o geral e o quadrinho entretem a sua maneira acho importante para a cronologia Xmen mais até que para o quarteto.
O fato é que é um pouco esperado a decisão porém ela foi realizada com a ajuda de destino que tem sim uma motivação plausível e melhor explorada no final porém no meio tem uma arte que varia muito dos padrões x-hickman e parecem muito feito as preças. Eu gostei do quadrinho e da finalização. É incrível que ao mesmo tempo que amamos os xMen passamos pano para eles pois com certeza eles seriam cancelados hj em dia.
Oque afetou um pouco a minha leitura foi o fato de eu n ser um conhecedor do quarteto e desconheço a relação que há entre destino e os filhos da Sue. Mas conseguimos entender o geral e o quadrinho entretem a sua maneira acho importante para a cronologia Xmen mais até que para o quarteto.
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