Astonishingly Cool

Gather round Minions, The Darkman is going to tell you a tale. Or rather, Joss Whedon is going to.

In his new series, Joss Whedon brings refreshing change to the Marvel U’s X-Men continuity. In the new story line the X-men are back in an old way. The costumes, capes and spandex, oh my! With Professor X gone and Jean dead, Scott has built a new team of X-Men. This new team has all of the old goals: protect mutants, protect humans, train new mutants, wage a PR war on the world and protect the students at the manor. But Scott also has a new goal this time around. He wants the team to be super heroes again, and that means acting like it. This in mind, the tale begins.

With a host of X-Men to choose from, Whedon sticks mostly with the basics for his line up. Heading up the team is (Oh my God what a shocker!) Scott Summers, AKA Cyclops. While some people find his Boy Scout attitude annoying and his mannerisms dry, no one can dispute Scott’s power and leadership abilities. He has traded one psychic girlfriend for another, but unlike the benevolent Jean, his new gal isn’t all roses.

The second in this line up is her majesty, the “White Queen.” Emma has seemingly turned from her life of crime and has decided to embrace the X-Man way (as well as embrace Cyclops.) With Jean gone and Scott at a vulnerable point she has emerged to pick up his pieces. She is teaching at the school - a course on ethics - but believe me, minions, the White Queen has not lost her cool.

The third in this band of heroes is my favorite X-Man: none other than Dr. Henry McCoy, AKA “The Beast.” He fulfills his normal roll in this first drama. His wise council and scientific expertise are needed as much now, as ever they were. But, something else has emerged from the character Beast. It could be called a despair or weakness, but tinged with a faint hope, glimmering in the darkness. He must choose whether to embrace a new chance or to remain as he is.

The Fourth is another shocker - Cyclops’s rival and killer extreme, Wolverine. Not much has been revealed about his goings on in this new series, but all of the old Wolvieisms (yes I just made up a word) are there. From fighting with Scott over his new love affair, to fighting with other team mates, to killing random enemies, Wolverine does not disappoint.

The Fifth member of this team is another classic. She is perhaps not as popular as the Cyclops or Wolverine but every bit as potent, in her own way. Who am I talking about? Why, it’s none other than Shadowcat, AKA “Kitty Pride.” She returns to the mansion to find it a very different place, old friends dead and gone, and old enemies there to take their places. Despite her trepidations, she agrees to be part of the team, and to be the new councilor for the students.

The Sixth member is a secret. I would not want to spoil it for any who have not read. But, you can expect an overview of this character with my next installment.

Well, school is back in session and the world wastes no time in teaching our heroes some lessons. The main center piece of the story is the “Cure for Mutation.” Long-sought by some, long-feared by others, this cure emerges from dubious sources. The introduction of the cure is brilliant on the part of Whedon because, in a sense, it guarantees Mutants what so many of them have been seeking - a normal life. But, knowing that it is theirs for the taking, will they take it?

Beast’s dilemma over his continual mutation is extremely interesting (though I may be biased). The love relationship between Scott and Emma is a great idea because of how well it reflects Scott and Jean. One might argue that Whedons betrayal of Wolverine is a little brutish and dull for Weapon X, but he does not disappoint action wise. With a great array of fighting scenes, and in-depth and emotional story arcs for all of the characters, Whedons new series is a definite hit. The fight between Wolverine and Beast is extremely good.