Generation X Epic Collection, Vol. 2: Emplate's Revenge

Generation X Epic Collection

by Scott Lobdell, Tom Grummett (Illustrator), Marvel Various (Writer)

The next generation of X-Men must grow up fast! Generation X welcomes the mutant called Mondo to their ranks — just in time for Omega Red to attack! And with Banshee lying at death’s door, Chamber may be the last man standing! Then, the team’s deadliest and most horrifying foe returns: M’s evil brother, Emplate! And he’s hungry for more than vengeance! Even if the students can avoid becoming Emplate’s next meal, will a surprising transformation consume one of their own? Plus, the White Queen goes to extreme lengths to protect the students from Onslaught, Franklin Richards joins the school in the wake of tragedy, and Chamber and Husk’s romance reaches a tipping point! Guest-starring Howard the Duck…and Stan Lee!

COLLECTING: Generation X (1994) 10-23, Generation X Annual '95-'96, Generation X San Diego Preview (1994) 1, material from Incredible Hulk Annual '97

Genres: Comics, X Men, Marvel, Collections, Graphic Novels, Science Fiction, Fantasy

488 pages, Paperback

First published August 2, 2022

About the author

Scott Lobdell (born 1960) is an American comic book writer.

He is mostly known for his work throughout the 1990s on Marvel Comics' X-Men-related titles specifically Uncanny X-Men, the main title itself, and the spin-off series that he conceived with artist Chris Bachalo, Generation X. Generation X focused on a number of young mutant students who attempted to become superheroes in their own right at a separate school with the guidance of veteran X-related characters Banshee and Emma Frost. He also had writing stints on Marvel's Fantastic Four, Alpha Flight, and The Adventures of Cyclops and Phoenix mini-series with artist Gene Ha. He wrote the script to Stan Lee's Mosaic and an upcoming film from POW Entertainment featuring Ringo Starr. He also participated in the Marvel Comics and Image Comics (from Jim Lee's WildStorm) crossover mini-series WildC.A.T.s/X-Men.

Reviews

[Molly™☺ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Still at its best when focusing on the student shenanigans, it strays too far from the formula that makes it great, and despite still having great character moments and dynamics, they suffer due to the story. Still one of my favourite line ups, they deserve more than what they're given here, specifically Skin and Jono whose section is so boring that it detracts a star from the overall experience.

[Jamie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Back in the 90's Generation X was one of the titles I at first loved when I'd come home from the comic book store with my pull-pile, but I started to fall off of it after a bit and this volume reminds me of why. The art for the most-part is fantastic and interesting, but the story is a ton of spinning wheels with no discernable destination. Mondo finally shows up and... nothing - Brother literally disappears into the background and may as well not even be there. In fact, there is practically zero character development outside of M's learning that her aloofness isn't because she's spoiled, but because she's on the autism spectrum. And that makes her sad, and that's literally as far as any growth goes over this year and a bit of comic books. The most frustrating was the four-issue arc where Skin and Jono go on a cross-country road-trip for some sort of reason, I guess, and then the pay-off is that Skin observes the loved-ones from his pre-mutant life from afar without interacting with any of them, and then they go home with the knowledge that Skin doesn't get as many headaches when he uses his powers. At least they had Howard the Duck with them for part of the adventure, and that saving grave earns this one a third star in my review.

[Steven · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mostly saved by how fascinating it goofy things get when Chris Bachalo is on art. The book starts with a really rough looking Annual that serves to bring Mondo to the team, and brings in Emma’s sister as a villain, only to send her off without doing much. Two key X-Men issues (41 and 49) are left out despite there being room, making Chamber’s story nearly incomprehensible for a bit. There’s a lot of inconsistencies throughout, and characters come and go (Emma has a staff of big, amusing brutes in the Canada arc, but we never see them before and after.) It’s entertaining reading, but when you dig below the goofy surface there’s not as much there as might be hoped — there’s more substance in “Everyday People”, Michael Golden’s story in Annual ‘96, than in Lobdell’s year of mainline stories. The revelation that M is autistic is intriguing…but goes absolutely nowhere.

[Jase · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another generation of kids take on Emma and Sean as their administrators/teachers but get swift-kicked into a myriad of extreme stories revolving around Monet. Great art by Bachalo and others w/ linkings to Sentinels and the upcoming Operation Zero Tolerance.

[Aloysius · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting set of tales of a group of mutants who really don't get enough love media-wise. They should get their own TV series, IMHO.

[Rob Marney · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is classic Scott Lobdell through and through. Mysteries! Touching character moments! Nothing happens for several issues! Chris Bachalo's art is adorable as ever, and Emplate continues to be a good villain, but that's about it.

[Milan Konjevic · Rating 5 out of 5]

I dalje poprilicno duhovito i sasavo, plus, nekoliko najlepsih i najludjih strana Americkog stripa 90ih, courtesy of onaj genijalni Chris Bachalo.