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X-Men (2019)
Giant-Size X-Men
Collects Giant-Size X-Men: Jean Grey and Emma Frost (2020) #1, Giant-Size X-Men: Nightcrawler (2020) #1, Giant-Size X-Men: Magneto (2020) #1, Giant-Size X-Men: Fantomex (2020) #1, Giant-Size X-Men: Storm (2020) #1.
Superstar writer Jonathan Hickman teams with legendary artists to spin Giant-Size mutant tales! When danger looms, it will take two of Earth’s most powerful telepaths working together to make things right: Jean Grey and Emma Frost! Nightcrawler must venture into the unknown when the X-Men lose contact with a key mutant habitat! Despite the shelter of Krakoa, mutants still need to deal with the human world — but Magneto, the Master of Magnetism, has a plan for that! Fantomex steps into the spotlight — breaking into his own birthplace, the World! And can Storm triumph over an insidious plot that has put a countdown on her very life?
Superstar writer Jonathan Hickman teams with legendary artists to spin Giant-Size mutant tales! When danger looms, it will take two of Earth’s most powerful telepaths working together to make things right: Jean Grey and Emma Frost! Nightcrawler must venture into the unknown when the X-Men lose contact with a key mutant habitat! Despite the shelter of Krakoa, mutants still need to deal with the human world — but Magneto, the Master of Magnetism, has a plan for that! Fantomex steps into the spotlight — breaking into his own birthplace, the World! And can Storm triumph over an insidious plot that has put a countdown on her very life?
161 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 22, 2020
21 people are currently reading
176 people want to read
About the author
Jonathan Hickman
1,214 books2,068 followersJonathan Hickman is an American comic book writer and artist. He is known for creating the Image Comics series The Nightly News, The Manhattan Projects and East of West, as well as working on Marvel Comics' Fantastic Four, FF, and S.H.I.E.L.D. titles. In 2012, Hickman ended his run on the Fantastic Four titles to write The Avengers and The New Avengers, as part the "Marvel NOW!" relaunch. In 2013, Hickman wrote a six-part miniseries, Infinity, plus Avengers tie-ins for Marvel Comics. In 2015, he wrote the crossover event Secret Wars. - Wikipedia
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews
May 2, 2021
Five slightly interconnected one-shots that to be honest you don't really need to read to get the most out of the Hickman era X-books, but the first part featuring Jean Grey and Emma Frost is a sweet surprise being an apparent homage to New X-Men (2001-2004) #121, which was Grant Morrison's exceptional 'Nuff Said issue in his superb X-Men run. After that the only other real highlight is more Fantomex/The World backstory in the fourth part. 6 out of 12.
March 11, 2021
This was a bit of an odd duck, being a collection of five loosely connected one-shots, but it was a nice change of pace from the rest of the current X-books and I was delighted to see one of my all-time favourite characters return.
#1 - Jean Grey & Emma Frost: story 3*, artwork 4*
#2 - Nightcrawler: story 5*, artwork 4*
#3 - Magneto: story 3*, artwork 3*
#4 - Fantomex: story 2*, artwork 4*
#5 - Storm: story 3*, artwork 4*
Overall: 3.5 stars, rounded up because of returning self-friend.
My next book: The Better Mousetrap
#1 - Jean Grey & Emma Frost: story 3*, artwork 4*
#2 - Nightcrawler: story 5*, artwork 4*
#3 - Magneto: story 3*, artwork 3*
#4 - Fantomex: story 2*, artwork 4*
#5 - Storm: story 3*, artwork 4*
Overall: 3.5 stars, rounded up because of returning self-friend.
My next book: The Better Mousetrap
April 18, 2025
2.25 stars
November 3, 2020
The idea of Hickman doing oversized, standalone character-centric one-shots about the mutants who for whatever reason aren’t featured as much in his main X-Men book is a good one, in theory. The problem with this particular collection of comics is that they’re not really standalone and aren’t actually focused on their titular characters. Instead, Hickman tries to tell a barely coherent and pretty uninteresting story of questionable importance to his overall X-plot, and its only saving grace is Russell Dauterman’s amazing artwork in two issues out of five. I was mostly bored by this book.
December 4, 2020
Jean Grey. Emma Frost. Magneto. Nightcrawler. Fantomex. Storm. These are...the Giant-Size X-Men! (They're just regular size, I'm kidding).
Three of these one-shots serve to tell one longer form story, with Jean Grey & Emma Frost, Fantomex, and Storm all forming a three-parter. Meanwhile Nightcrawler and Magneto's stories seem to be setting up stuff for later down the line. The effect is...a little underwhelming I guess?
That's not to say they're bad. The stories themselves are mostly solid, although Magneto's feels especially inconsequential since nothing actually happens in it that we've seen any feedback from in any of the X-Books since. I mostly enjoyed the fact that we got some spotlight on these characters since the X-Books can sometimes get a bit overcrowded, to say the least.
The artwork is absolutely brilliant however - Russell Dauterman bookends the collection, pencilling both Jean Grey & Emma Frost and Storm, while Nightcrawler gets Alan Davis, Magneto gets Ben Oliver, and Fantomex gets Rod Reis (which I think might have been my favourite since The World offers up a lot of zanyness). Can't complain on the art front at all.
A good idea, not a great execution, but not too bad I guess? I expected a little more. Maybe these will be better in retrospect when their fallout starts coming to fruition later down the line.
Three of these one-shots serve to tell one longer form story, with Jean Grey & Emma Frost, Fantomex, and Storm all forming a three-parter. Meanwhile Nightcrawler and Magneto's stories seem to be setting up stuff for later down the line. The effect is...a little underwhelming I guess?
That's not to say they're bad. The stories themselves are mostly solid, although Magneto's feels especially inconsequential since nothing actually happens in it that we've seen any feedback from in any of the X-Books since. I mostly enjoyed the fact that we got some spotlight on these characters since the X-Books can sometimes get a bit overcrowded, to say the least.
The artwork is absolutely brilliant however - Russell Dauterman bookends the collection, pencilling both Jean Grey & Emma Frost and Storm, while Nightcrawler gets Alan Davis, Magneto gets Ben Oliver, and Fantomex gets Rod Reis (which I think might have been my favourite since The World offers up a lot of zanyness). Can't complain on the art front at all.
A good idea, not a great execution, but not too bad I guess? I expected a little more. Maybe these will be better in retrospect when their fallout starts coming to fruition later down the line.
February 8, 2021
A series of loosely connected stories in the new X-Paradigm. Not even the presence of Fantomex and his associated bullshit could dull the enjoyment.
Of the five individual issues the one with Magneto was probably my favourite.
Of the five individual issues the one with Magneto was probably my favourite.
February 16, 2024
Published in 1975, Giant-Size X-Men by Len Wein and Dave Cockrum was the first new X-Men story in five years, serving as a link between the original X-Men and a new team. This issue alone reignited interest towards the Marvel mutants and would pave the way for Chris Claremont to write his legendary run. Since then, Marvel would publish here and there a new issue under the Giant-Size label, and now Jonathan Hickman claims it in a series of one-shots as part of the Dawn of X relaunch.
Each of the five one-shots may function as their own narrative – with each issue having its own artist – but there is a connective tissue between them that is loose to say the least. The first issue centres on the two telepaths Jean Grey and Emma Frost to delve into the mind of Storm, who had recently fought Orchis and the Children of the Vault. With special thanks to Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely, both of which reinvented the mutants in 2001, the first issue is essentially a tribute to New X-Men #121, a near-silent issue where Grey and Frost entered the mind of Cassandra Nova.
Although the first issue isn’t as plot-orientated as the later ones, it does sum up the general theme of this whole book, which is to allow artists to show their A-game with a loose, ongoing narrative within Hickman’s status quo without having to interfere with the other X-books that are currently published. With the exception of some dialogue in the beginning and the end, once the telepaths enter Storm’s dreamscape, Hickman allows artist Russell Dauterman and colourist Matthew Wilson to illustrate a stunning and surreal adventure through the mind that pushes the comics medium to new heights. Crazy visuals and unconventional panel layouts aside, Dauterman gives subtle touches of characterisation that sum up the banter between Grey and Frost.
The next issue centres on Nightcrawler, leading a small team (including Eye-Boy, whose body is covered by numerous eyes) who investigate the abandoned X-Mansion, which is now haunted, from the presence of Rachel Summers to the alien race of Sidri have nested inside the mansion. From its trippy story beats, it is surprising that Alan Davis, who is known for a classic art-style, creates some abstract and horror-themed work within the outlandish sci-fi surroundings.
As comic book-y as the X-Men can be, embracing many aspects of the sci-fi genre, these stories work best when they feel more character-oriented, such as the one-shot solely about Magneto, whose single-minded goal is to protect and uplift mutantkind. Tasked by the White Queen herself, Magneto is set to find her an island and that’s where he negotiates with Namor. The Master of Magnetism has always been a great villain as a stern believer in mutant superiority and based on his appearance in House of X, Hickman nails what this character is about. During his brief partnership with Namor in this issue (drawn to such exquisite detail by Ramón K. Pérez), Magneto battles aquatic beasts, all in the service of this one extravagant favour.
Continuing with the influence from New X-Men, the fourth issue brings back Fantomex, who was created by the Weapon Plus Program to serve as a super-soldier against the Earth's mutant population. This character was one of my least favourite things from that run as his backstory led to the book becoming a confusing read that was trying to connect the X-Men mythos. As Fantomex was raised in the World, a laboratory where he is unmoored from everything outside its walls, including time itself, Hickman is playing time and reality with the soldier going from one scenario to the next with a different team. With a style reminiscent of Bill Sienkiewicz, Rod Reis' artwork is mind-bending and gorgeous as he presents a visual coherence between the various periods of the Marvel universe.
With Russell Dauterman book-ending Giant-Size X-Men, the final issue centres on Storm, who is hoping to remove the techno-virus that is destroying her, so she along with Fantomex, M, Cypher and AIM henchman Ned travel into the World. Ending on a high note, which largely benefits from Dauterman and Wilson plunging themselves in another surreal world, this finale will satisfy those X-fans from Storm remaining a badass even on the edge of death, a great use of the team-members, to even an AIM henchman comically stealing the show. The larger story is ultimately somewhat thin, but a mixture of Hickman’s enigmatic sci-fi storytelling and the top talent when it comes to artistry, proves why this new era of X-Men is continuously exciting.
Each of the five one-shots may function as their own narrative – with each issue having its own artist – but there is a connective tissue between them that is loose to say the least. The first issue centres on the two telepaths Jean Grey and Emma Frost to delve into the mind of Storm, who had recently fought Orchis and the Children of the Vault. With special thanks to Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely, both of which reinvented the mutants in 2001, the first issue is essentially a tribute to New X-Men #121, a near-silent issue where Grey and Frost entered the mind of Cassandra Nova.
Although the first issue isn’t as plot-orientated as the later ones, it does sum up the general theme of this whole book, which is to allow artists to show their A-game with a loose, ongoing narrative within Hickman’s status quo without having to interfere with the other X-books that are currently published. With the exception of some dialogue in the beginning and the end, once the telepaths enter Storm’s dreamscape, Hickman allows artist Russell Dauterman and colourist Matthew Wilson to illustrate a stunning and surreal adventure through the mind that pushes the comics medium to new heights. Crazy visuals and unconventional panel layouts aside, Dauterman gives subtle touches of characterisation that sum up the banter between Grey and Frost.
The next issue centres on Nightcrawler, leading a small team (including Eye-Boy, whose body is covered by numerous eyes) who investigate the abandoned X-Mansion, which is now haunted, from the presence of Rachel Summers to the alien race of Sidri have nested inside the mansion. From its trippy story beats, it is surprising that Alan Davis, who is known for a classic art-style, creates some abstract and horror-themed work within the outlandish sci-fi surroundings.
As comic book-y as the X-Men can be, embracing many aspects of the sci-fi genre, these stories work best when they feel more character-oriented, such as the one-shot solely about Magneto, whose single-minded goal is to protect and uplift mutantkind. Tasked by the White Queen herself, Magneto is set to find her an island and that’s where he negotiates with Namor. The Master of Magnetism has always been a great villain as a stern believer in mutant superiority and based on his appearance in House of X, Hickman nails what this character is about. During his brief partnership with Namor in this issue (drawn to such exquisite detail by Ramón K. Pérez), Magneto battles aquatic beasts, all in the service of this one extravagant favour.
Continuing with the influence from New X-Men, the fourth issue brings back Fantomex, who was created by the Weapon Plus Program to serve as a super-soldier against the Earth's mutant population. This character was one of my least favourite things from that run as his backstory led to the book becoming a confusing read that was trying to connect the X-Men mythos. As Fantomex was raised in the World, a laboratory where he is unmoored from everything outside its walls, including time itself, Hickman is playing time and reality with the soldier going from one scenario to the next with a different team. With a style reminiscent of Bill Sienkiewicz, Rod Reis' artwork is mind-bending and gorgeous as he presents a visual coherence between the various periods of the Marvel universe.
With Russell Dauterman book-ending Giant-Size X-Men, the final issue centres on Storm, who is hoping to remove the techno-virus that is destroying her, so she along with Fantomex, M, Cypher and AIM henchman Ned travel into the World. Ending on a high note, which largely benefits from Dauterman and Wilson plunging themselves in another surreal world, this finale will satisfy those X-fans from Storm remaining a badass even on the edge of death, a great use of the team-members, to even an AIM henchman comically stealing the show. The larger story is ultimately somewhat thin, but a mixture of Hickman’s enigmatic sci-fi storytelling and the top talent when it comes to artistry, proves why this new era of X-Men is continuously exciting.
February 26, 2021
A nice mix of A-list artists in these semi stand-alone tales. The very first issue, which sees Russel Dauterman work his magic, sends Emma Frost and Jean Grey into Storm's mind after she becomes afflicted with a terminal case of the technorganic virus. The Nightcrawler and Magneto stories seem to be seeding future X-men stories, while the Fantomex and Storm stories conclude the tale introduced in the first issue.
It's really the art that elevates these stories which feel almost like short stories in the new X-men status quo. Frankly, aside from New Mutants there hasn't been a misfire in all that Hickman has done. Excited to see where his ideas go from here!
It's really the art that elevates these stories which feel almost like short stories in the new X-men status quo. Frankly, aside from New Mutants there hasn't been a misfire in all that Hickman has done. Excited to see where his ideas go from here!
January 28, 2023
It was fine,
could definitely be better and have a bigger reason for it exist, but oh well...
it's just a bunch of stories and adventures that happen because of/in/out of Krakoa and whatnot.
Is it a must read? No. Is it a fun read? Some of it, some is just ok to read and some are fun (Nightcrawler story)
The artwork is great in every issue.
could definitely be better and have a bigger reason for it exist, but oh well...
it's just a bunch of stories and adventures that happen because of/in/out of Krakoa and whatnot.
Is it a must read? No. Is it a fun read? Some of it, some is just ok to read and some are fun (Nightcrawler story)
The artwork is great in every issue.
December 27, 2020
Hickman has done great with one-off and two-issue stories about a wide variety of mutants in the main X-Men comic, so I naturally assumed this would be more of the same, but with more space.
Unfortunately, not so much.
At best, Giant-Size X-Men is a place to give some artists a chance to shine, and at worst it's a cash grab. In either case, these stories are mainly mediocre and skippable, which is pretty shocking given they have Hickman's name all over them.
Jean Gray & Emma Frost. Seriously? Morrison already did the "'nuff said" psychic journey thing, and much better. Hickman relies much more on words and reveals much less in a tale that ends up telling us not much about Jean or Emma [2+/5].
Nightcrawler. A nice reminder of the Mansion, and a good return of a critter from the '80s, but this another very shallow story that doesn't highlight its protagonist. I suspect that's going to be the story throughout [3/5].
Magneto. This is a delightful little adventure between Namor and Erik and a fun bit of plot development from Emma, but there's as usual very little story [3/5].
Fantomex. Oh my gosh, a Giant-Size one-off that's actually about these the character in question. Yes, it's repetitive, and it leans on the art, just like the rest of these books. And, I'm not entirely sure I can square it with previous visions of The World (though I gotta trust Hickman here, he's great with continuity). Mind you, this is just a middle-part of a story, but it's better than anything else so far in this volume [4/5].
Storm. A Plot-ty ending to the story begun in Jean Gray & Emma Frost and Fantomex. It's entirely pragmatic and by the end feels entirely skippable [2+/5]
Unfortunately, not so much.
At best, Giant-Size X-Men is a place to give some artists a chance to shine, and at worst it's a cash grab. In either case, these stories are mainly mediocre and skippable, which is pretty shocking given they have Hickman's name all over them.
Jean Gray & Emma Frost. Seriously? Morrison already did the "'nuff said" psychic journey thing, and much better. Hickman relies much more on words and reveals much less in a tale that ends up telling us not much about Jean or Emma [2+/5].
Nightcrawler. A nice reminder of the Mansion, and a good return of a critter from the '80s, but this another very shallow story that doesn't highlight its protagonist. I suspect that's going to be the story throughout [3/5].
Magneto. This is a delightful little adventure between Namor and Erik and a fun bit of plot development from Emma, but there's as usual very little story [3/5].
Fantomex. Oh my gosh, a Giant-Size one-off that's actually about these the character in question. Yes, it's repetitive, and it leans on the art, just like the rest of these books. And, I'm not entirely sure I can square it with previous visions of The World (though I gotta trust Hickman here, he's great with continuity). Mind you, this is just a middle-part of a story, but it's better than anything else so far in this volume [4/5].
Storm. A Plot-ty ending to the story begun in Jean Gray & Emma Frost and Fantomex. It's entirely pragmatic and by the end feels entirely skippable [2+/5]
April 13, 2021
5 giant-sized issues (meaning around 30 pages, you’re right to feel cheated) with various characters - Hickman plots them all and 4 different artist pencil them.
Magneto - goes looking for an island for Emma Frost - so what? - Nothing really happens and it goes nowhere particular. A seed for the future? Nice art but still.
Fantomex - 1st part of a three parter - Temporal nonsense all over the place but enough fun to be decent and Rod Reis does some very cool art, kind of a Bill Sinkiewicz/Daniel Acuna mix.
Jean and Emma - enter Storm’s mind to discover what ails her - silent issue - these are boring more often than not. Well...
Storm - goes into Fantomex’s World to get rid of the virus she caught in an issue I haven’t read. A nice touch of humor thanks to Ned the AIM guy and even Cypher. Probable seed planted for another time in the end.
Nightcrawler - does some uninteresting stuff back at the now ruined X-mansion - cool art by Alan Davis - not as good as way back when but still waaaay better than most. But it’s still uninteresting.
All in all, this collection is as expected: innocuous, vaguely boring. Globally well illustrated but merely hinting at some vague probable future plots and adding nothing of consequence. For completists, obviously.
Magneto - goes looking for an island for Emma Frost - so what? - Nothing really happens and it goes nowhere particular. A seed for the future? Nice art but still.
Fantomex - 1st part of a three parter - Temporal nonsense all over the place but enough fun to be decent and Rod Reis does some very cool art, kind of a Bill Sinkiewicz/Daniel Acuna mix.
Jean and Emma - enter Storm’s mind to discover what ails her - silent issue - these are boring more often than not. Well...
Storm - goes into Fantomex’s World to get rid of the virus she caught in an issue I haven’t read. A nice touch of humor thanks to Ned the AIM guy and even Cypher. Probable seed planted for another time in the end.
Nightcrawler - does some uninteresting stuff back at the now ruined X-mansion - cool art by Alan Davis - not as good as way back when but still waaaay better than most. But it’s still uninteresting.
All in all, this collection is as expected: innocuous, vaguely boring. Globally well illustrated but merely hinting at some vague probable future plots and adding nothing of consequence. For completists, obviously.
March 3, 2021
3.5 stars
A decent but uneven collection of one-shots, most of which aren’t standalone stories. The opening Emma Frost/Jean Gray issue wordlessly delving into someone’s psyche and the later Fantomex issue delving into The World are both pretty direct homages to two issues of Morrison’s New X-Men run. I enjoyed both, but thought the Fantomex issue was a more original reimagining; it reminded me of a Tom King story with its foregrounding of family drama amidst the background noise of spectacular superhero happenings. The closing Storm issue merges the stories from Fantomex and Emma/Jean Gray’s issue and it’s fine. All three of those issues have incredible art from Reis or Daughterman.
The middle two issues with Nightcrawler and Magneto are just ok. Nightcrawler’s issue is a low stakes haunted mansion story that brings back a space-y early 80s antagonist and Alan Davis’s art is well-done but in a throwback style that’s not my favorite. Magneto’s issue feels more like a b-side to the current Marauders series that I could have done without.
A decent but uneven collection of one-shots, most of which aren’t standalone stories. The opening Emma Frost/Jean Gray issue wordlessly delving into someone’s psyche and the later Fantomex issue delving into The World are both pretty direct homages to two issues of Morrison’s New X-Men run. I enjoyed both, but thought the Fantomex issue was a more original reimagining; it reminded me of a Tom King story with its foregrounding of family drama amidst the background noise of spectacular superhero happenings. The closing Storm issue merges the stories from Fantomex and Emma/Jean Gray’s issue and it’s fine. All three of those issues have incredible art from Reis or Daughterman.
The middle two issues with Nightcrawler and Magneto are just ok. Nightcrawler’s issue is a low stakes haunted mansion story that brings back a space-y early 80s antagonist and Alan Davis’s art is well-done but in a throwback style that’s not my favorite. Magneto’s issue feels more like a b-side to the current Marauders series that I could have done without.
February 6, 2021
These are mostly stand alone one shots aside from a few stories that connect. The concept for this series was to do a book in the old silver age marvel style (which was where artists drew the story first and then Stan would fill in the dialogue afterwards) this means the books are mostly art focused which is great I love good comic art and there’s no shortage of it here. Some of the stories are just okay, I really liked the Jean and Emma one it’s probably my favorite especially because of the art. If you’re looking for more of a plot based book this probably won’t be for you but if you’re like me and like looking at great art this is great.
December 10, 2021
This was a series of five different one-shot stories ostensibly each about one character (or two in the case of the Jean Grey and Emma Frost issue), three of which were connected to each other and two that were more standalone.
The Jean Grey and Emma Frost issue was a loving homage to Grant Morrison's New X-Men # 121, the silent issue which was itself inspired by Larry Hama's G.I.JOE # 21. An injured Storm crashes to the island of Krakoa, and Jean Grey and Emma Frost psychically enter her mindscape to find out what happened. It was a nice tribute to the New X-Men issue, sometimes even recreating entire panels from that issue here. And artist Russel Dauterman does a fine job conveying the action without any dialog or narration to help.
The Nightcrawler issue features a team of mutants going to the abandoned Xavier's School of Gifted Youngsters to investigate a disturbance detected by Krakoa near one of its gates. I enjoyed the unlikely team make-up of Nightcrawler, Cypher, Magik, and Eye-Boy here. The book even makes reference to the fact that this team is not well suited to combat when things heat up during the mission.
Next we have the Magneto issue, in which he seeks a favor from Namor the Sub-Mariner and must accompany him on an investigation to the depths of the Malloy Deep to find a team of Atlantean scientists that went missing after investigating siren activity after a crack opened up part of the trench wall. It was fun seeing Namor and Magneto working together, and particularly interesting to see Magneto so far out of his normal element.
The Fantomex issue gives some insight into his origin, showing us how he was born and raised in a twisted laboratory called The World, wherein immoral experiments are conducted, the subjects of which are scientists' playthings whose lives are cheap. This issue was very interesting to me, as we got to see the evolution of this self-contained science lab over the course of decades, as Fantomex kept coming back to check on someone important to him he had to leave behind.
And finally, the Storm issue brings together the elements from the first chapter and the fourth, as a small group of mutants recruit Fantomex to enter The World and help them cure Storm of a techno-organic virus. I particularly liked Ned, the AIM scientist hired by Fantomex to act as a hapless distraction to get the rest of them inside.
These individual stories were interesting, the art was universally good throughout, and I enjoyed some of the unusual team make-ups we got in these stories. I didn't rate this higher because although I found these stories entertaining, it didn't feel as if anything of consequence happens in this book. I could be proven wrong later, but everything that occurs herein feels rather pointless by the time we reach the end. I'm a little puzzled as to why Hickman felt the need to tell these stories outside of one of the main X-Men titles, but it's entirely possible that the overarching Hickman X-Men story will later make that clear. Certainly an entertaining read, but this feels like one you could safely skip.
The Jean Grey and Emma Frost issue was a loving homage to Grant Morrison's New X-Men # 121, the silent issue which was itself inspired by Larry Hama's G.I.JOE # 21. An injured Storm crashes to the island of Krakoa, and Jean Grey and Emma Frost psychically enter her mindscape to find out what happened. It was a nice tribute to the New X-Men issue, sometimes even recreating entire panels from that issue here. And artist Russel Dauterman does a fine job conveying the action without any dialog or narration to help.
The Nightcrawler issue features a team of mutants going to the abandoned Xavier's School of Gifted Youngsters to investigate a disturbance detected by Krakoa near one of its gates. I enjoyed the unlikely team make-up of Nightcrawler, Cypher, Magik, and Eye-Boy here. The book even makes reference to the fact that this team is not well suited to combat when things heat up during the mission.
Next we have the Magneto issue, in which he seeks a favor from Namor the Sub-Mariner and must accompany him on an investigation to the depths of the Malloy Deep to find a team of Atlantean scientists that went missing after investigating siren activity after a crack opened up part of the trench wall. It was fun seeing Namor and Magneto working together, and particularly interesting to see Magneto so far out of his normal element.
The Fantomex issue gives some insight into his origin, showing us how he was born and raised in a twisted laboratory called The World, wherein immoral experiments are conducted, the subjects of which are scientists' playthings whose lives are cheap. This issue was very interesting to me, as we got to see the evolution of this self-contained science lab over the course of decades, as Fantomex kept coming back to check on someone important to him he had to leave behind.
And finally, the Storm issue brings together the elements from the first chapter and the fourth, as a small group of mutants recruit Fantomex to enter The World and help them cure Storm of a techno-organic virus. I particularly liked Ned, the AIM scientist hired by Fantomex to act as a hapless distraction to get the rest of them inside.
These individual stories were interesting, the art was universally good throughout, and I enjoyed some of the unusual team make-ups we got in these stories. I didn't rate this higher because although I found these stories entertaining, it didn't feel as if anything of consequence happens in this book. I could be proven wrong later, but everything that occurs herein feels rather pointless by the time we reach the end. I'm a little puzzled as to why Hickman felt the need to tell these stories outside of one of the main X-Men titles, but it's entirely possible that the overarching Hickman X-Men story will later make that clear. Certainly an entertaining read, but this feels like one you could safely skip.
December 8, 2021
Ratings and links to previous reviews under the spoiler:
I think this was a fine, a perfectly serviceable collection of loosely connected one-shots. I honestly don't have much to say, nothing really excited me about any of these solo character stories, even though I've been craving good character work in Hickman's X-Men era. I'm not sure I got it here, just some minor plots focused on a few specific characters.
Perhaps the main character of this collection is Storm, but it feels like the entire series of stories here are set up just so Hickman can do this in the final Storm issue:
Storm, in narration:
"The lingering question is... Why do what I'm doing-- why go through all this--if I can let go...and be resurrected? Why struggle? Why fight? Why not just surrender to the inevitable--wash my hands of it--and start anew? After all, what's one life when you have an endless number of them? Where's the value? How can you even define what a "good life" is?
I'll tell you... The true measure of life is in the living. It isn't a series of do-overs and restarts... It's fighting for what you have, what you believe in... It's fighting for who you are. I am a mutant. I am a goddess. And I want to live."
Yes, thank you for that truly original take, Mr. Hickman. A tour de force of character work. Absolutely lovely, just straight up spelling out what the moral of the story you want to tell is. It totally set aside every single question and issue I have about the mutant resurrections. Bravo.
At least on the plus side, the artwork in almost every issue was lovely.
October 26, 2020
This was a real disappointment, especially with the misleading title of "Giant-Size." Each individual issue was normal length. Each individual issue was a one-shot, ultimately building toward a supposed climax about using technology from Fantomex's "The World" to save Storm from a techno-organic virus.
But, none of it worked. None of it mattered.
The first issue that was all about Jean Grey and Emma Frost was insulting. Sure, it could be called an "homage" to the "'Nuff Said" comics from 20-ish years ago. But, I hated those comics. Marvel convinced a bunch of people to spend money on comics with just some artwork, but nearly no dialogue. You just look at the pretty pictures, I guess. So after approximately 15 years of fans fighting over the Jean vs. Emma debate, some of us absolutely despising our opponents, Marvel gave us a comic with almost no dialogue. No character development, no revelations. No progress on determining who has a better relationship with Scott now, or even how precisely these women think of each other.
It was awful. Insultingly bad.
The rest didn't really help. While subsequent issues actually had dialogue (what a low bar I find myself now conceding), they were uneventful. They just provided the pieces for the supposed "climax" of The World battle for Storm.
In the final issue, characters address the fact that all this drama about saving Storm's life is pointless. Because ever since Dawn of X, all mutants can be resurrected. So all this conflict about trying to save Storm's life was pointless. They would have been better off just slitting Storm's throat, and then resurrecting her in a new body without the T-O virus. But they don't do that. They acknowledge that the fight is pointless, but they do the fight anyway, not really resolving much.
Such a disappointment.
But, none of it worked. None of it mattered.
The first issue that was all about Jean Grey and Emma Frost was insulting. Sure, it could be called an "homage" to the "'Nuff Said" comics from 20-ish years ago. But, I hated those comics. Marvel convinced a bunch of people to spend money on comics with just some artwork, but nearly no dialogue. You just look at the pretty pictures, I guess. So after approximately 15 years of fans fighting over the Jean vs. Emma debate, some of us absolutely despising our opponents, Marvel gave us a comic with almost no dialogue. No character development, no revelations. No progress on determining who has a better relationship with Scott now, or even how precisely these women think of each other.
It was awful. Insultingly bad.
The rest didn't really help. While subsequent issues actually had dialogue (what a low bar I find myself now conceding), they were uneventful. They just provided the pieces for the supposed "climax" of The World battle for Storm.
In the final issue, characters address the fact that all this drama about saving Storm's life is pointless. Because ever since Dawn of X, all mutants can be resurrected. So all this conflict about trying to save Storm's life was pointless. They would have been better off just slitting Storm's throat, and then resurrecting her in a new body without the T-O virus. But they don't do that. They acknowledge that the fight is pointless, but they do the fight anyway, not really resolving much.
Such a disappointment.
October 18, 2020
Its a series of 5 stories. The 1st one focusing on Jean and Emma as they rescue storm and find she has 30 days to live and has been infected by techno organic virus in the vault battle and so they have to rescue her. Next is Magneto and Namor team up and a fun story with Nightcrawler vs Sidris and saying final goodbye to the Westchester Mansion. And another one is Fantomex going to the world each decade teaming up with different people to get this guy (I am guessing twin) back but each time fails but this leads into the next story of Fantomex, Monet, AIM guy, Cypher and Storm going to the world to cure her and they do but they are attacked. In the end they do. But the thing about all these stories is they set stuff up
-Whats Emma want with the Island?
-Whose this person Fantomex stayed behind for in the world?
-The Sentient Being in the warp field that Cypher identified?
-Whats up with the Sidri staying behind at Westchester?
Interesting things ahead set by Hickman as he continues to build his epic run on X-Men!
-Whats Emma want with the Island?
-Whose this person Fantomex stayed behind for in the world?
-The Sentient Being in the warp field that Cypher identified?
-Whats up with the Sidri staying behind at Westchester?
Interesting things ahead set by Hickman as he continues to build his epic run on X-Men!
May 24, 2022
Hickman's focus on doing a silver-age style homage to Claremont and Morrison's run ends up being a really inconsistent set of five one-off stories. The first story, featuring Jean Grey and Emma Frost is an homage to Grant Morrison's New X-Men #12, the silent issue where the art focus really works given the surreal imaginary. However, the other stories don't fare as well, the title characters are somewhat peripheral to their own storylines, and while the art really shines here--particularly the Russell Dauterman and Alan Davis work--only a loose thread keeps them all together. One thing I have loved about Krakoa/Hickman era of X-men is the revitalization of so many of the seemingly minor characters in X-men of the past 40 years, but keeping up with all of them can be a little daunting. Overall, it's enjoyable but not particularly memorable outside of the really stellar first story in the volume.
July 9, 2021
Interesting, but kind of inconsequential? (we'll see, I guess) A series of one-shots all focused on specific mutants--Jean Grey and Emma Frost, Storm, Nightcrawler, Magneto, and...Fantomex? Other than looking cool, I've never seen the point of Fantomex. And the story featuring Magneto is pretty slight (he bargains with Namor to purchase an island for Emma). The stories with Jean Grey, Emma Frost, Storm, and Fantomex all link together, but even so, to what end? The artwork is stellar throughout all of this, but unless these vignettes pay off somewhere down the line, this really doesn't amount to much.
October 13, 2020
- Well, you have your island, Ms. Frost. What are you going to do with it?
- Send invitations, of course... And then wait to see who shows up.
- Send invitations, of course... And then wait to see who shows up.
January 2, 2021
This is really hit or miss. Fantomex and Storm are the highlight issues and Magneto is probably the lowest.
September 24, 2022
Every few years, I get sucked back into the mutant books by a new creative team, and I almost always end up having no idea what the fuck is going on.
This is one of those times.
I have no idea what Hickman is doing in general, and with this volume in particular. What the fuck did I just read? He doesn't tell you who anyone is, what they're doing, why they're doing it....As it's been since John Byrne left the book in the 80s, it's just one big inbred clusterfuck. You're supposed to magically know who everyone is and what motivates them.
This volume collects five one-shots, three of which are incomprehensibly interconnected, while the other two are pure worldbuilding for things that may of may not ever be followed up on.
Completely unimpressed by the Hickman X-Universe thus far.
This is one of those times.
I have no idea what Hickman is doing in general, and with this volume in particular. What the fuck did I just read? He doesn't tell you who anyone is, what they're doing, why they're doing it....As it's been since John Byrne left the book in the 80s, it's just one big inbred clusterfuck. You're supposed to magically know who everyone is and what motivates them.
This volume collects five one-shots, three of which are incomprehensibly interconnected, while the other two are pure worldbuilding for things that may of may not ever be followed up on.
Completely unimpressed by the Hickman X-Universe thus far.
May 11, 2021
A set of only-sometimes related stories with different art teams getting to flex is a fun concept, even if the results aren't all equal. Dauterman's Jean Grey/Emma Frost and Reis's Fantomex are incredible issues, the best kinds of comic storytelling. Overall some interesting seeds are planted for future stories, but this would be worthwhile for Jean/Emma/Fantomex alone.
July 11, 2025
sooo boring and such ass art. general thoughts are: jean and emma are such a power duo and im so done of them fighting all the time, magneto and emma’s bond is cute, and totally didn’t expect to see fantomex with the scene from grant morrison’s run.
February 23, 2021
While good, I'm not sure what the point of this was, other than maybe a break from the main story in X-Men. It's sort of a breath of fresh air, not having to deal with the weight of how Krakoa is impacting the world or the major threats against the mutants. These are smaller stories, sometimes introducing a new mutant, or bringing back an old one, or taking a peak at some older piece of X-Men history. Most of the art is pretty good too. It's just too soon to tell if these are laying the groundwork for something in the future.
January 14, 2021
Bit of a mixed bag with this one, but the art was great throughout so it earned an extra star. I just wish they wouldn't put stories already collected into other trades in one-shots like this because it makes feel less like part of the ongoing story and more like a cash-grab. You do have to read this to keep up with the rest of Hickman's world of X, and it's worth the read, I just wish I hadn't already read some of it, particularly twice in the same day.
September 15, 2021
jean and emma issue,, wow the bisexuality of it all, the pink of jean and the blue of emma mixing into purple wow wow wow *poetic cinema*
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June 30, 2021An odd collection, this. You could say these are side-stories and character spotlights, but then it's not like Hickman's main X-Men run has had a single narrative drive or a consistent cast anyway, so where's the distinction? Bigger-name artists, maybe? But aside from Alan Davis, it's not like it's impossible to envisage the likes of Russell Dauterman and Rod Reis doing issues of the ongoing. A slightly larger page count? OK, but hardly as Giant-Sized as all that. The main thing, though, is that it's more Hickman X-Men, which is absolutely fine by me. Although the first issues do feel a little like homages to other eras of the book – the first, a voyage into Storm's mind, is an open homage to the 'Nuff Said silent issue of Morrison and Quitely's New X-Men, while the second, with Nightcrawler and some New Mutants investigating the ruins of the Westchester mansion, feels a lot more chatty and eighties X-book than Hickman's usual speed. But if Magneto in the Faroes is a pastiche, it's one I'm not deep enough into my X-history to pick up on. And with the Fantomex issue we work back around to New X-Men, and the first issue's plot - even if I'm not sure the guest stars fit properly into any kind of timeline, Marvel sliding shenanigans or not (I swear it skips two decades, and unlike many characters bumped up and down the eras, the Howling Commandos are fairly firmly fixed in the forties). Finally, Storm's spotlight ties most of what we've seen together, though I still don't see how Magneto's squid tussle connects. I wouldn't say it was the most satisfactory of payoffs, but maybe I was just distracted by giggling at Storm's big line "I give the World...wind."
February 26, 2026
Review: ❌❌❌ 3/5
This is a nice collection of short stories that include multiple characters, yet it doesn't really bring much to the larger narrative of Krakoa.
The biggest missed opportunity for me was the Jean Grey and Emma Frost story. These are two powerful women with a very complicated and emotional history. The fact that the entire comic had no lines at all was just disapointing. There's so much that could have happened here. They could have discussed their thoughts about coexisting on Krakoa, for example, especially about their feelings regarding Cyclops. While the art itself is stunning, it felt like such a waste of potential. Instead of very good drama, we got beautifully drawn silence between two very interesting characters.
On the other hand, I really liked the Nightcrawler story and Magneto's as well.
The art across most of the volume is really strong, with the exception for me being the Fantomex story (it also doesn't help that I don't particularly care for the character). Both the art and the narrative left a lot to be desired on that chapter. It wasn't terrible by any means, just not my thing.
Overall, if you're trying to explore every facet of the Krakoan era, this volume is not really essential, but still fun if you don't mind reading filler stories.
This is a nice collection of short stories that include multiple characters, yet it doesn't really bring much to the larger narrative of Krakoa.
The biggest missed opportunity for me was the Jean Grey and Emma Frost story. These are two powerful women with a very complicated and emotional history. The fact that the entire comic had no lines at all was just disapointing. There's so much that could have happened here. They could have discussed their thoughts about coexisting on Krakoa, for example, especially about their feelings regarding Cyclops. While the art itself is stunning, it felt like such a waste of potential. Instead of very good drama, we got beautifully drawn silence between two very interesting characters.
On the other hand, I really liked the Nightcrawler story and Magneto's as well.
The art across most of the volume is really strong, with the exception for me being the Fantomex story (it also doesn't help that I don't particularly care for the character). Both the art and the narrative left a lot to be desired on that chapter. It wasn't terrible by any means, just not my thing.
Overall, if you're trying to explore every facet of the Krakoan era, this volume is not really essential, but still fun if you don't mind reading filler stories.
February 9, 2021
It was a fun set, but maybe it was a bit too open-ended. And closing the arc with the World, considering the Fantomex part wasn’t really my favorite part, was a bit disheartening for me.
Other than that, the rest of the books were real nice and the art was such a nice trip.
I particularly liked the contrast between Jean Grey and Emma Frost. They do balance each other and I ended up liking both of them even more, if that’s even possible.
As for the death being now a revolving door, it does create some problems. Just now I was thinking, what if a younger mutant had a pimple they didn’t like. What about killing themself and getting reborn without it? This could very easily get out of hand.
Anyway, let’s see if whatever Dough found continues somewhere within the other series or in the next event.
Other than that, the rest of the books were real nice and the art was such a nice trip.
I particularly liked the contrast between Jean Grey and Emma Frost. They do balance each other and I ended up liking both of them even more, if that’s even possible.
As for the death being now a revolving door, it does create some problems. Just now I was thinking, what if a younger mutant had a pimple they didn’t like. What about killing themself and getting reborn without it? This could very easily get out of hand.
Anyway, let’s see if whatever Dough found continues somewhere within the other series or in the next event.
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