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49th out of 1,499 books
—
3,016 voters
Astonishing X-Men, Vol. 1: Gifted (Astonishing X-Men #1)
by
Joss Whedon ,
John Cassaday
Dream-team creators Joss Whedon (TV's Buffy the Vampire Slayer) and John Cassaday (Planetary, Captain America) present the explosive flagship X-Men series - marking a return to classic greatness and the beginning of a brand-new era for the X-Men! Cyclops and Emma Frost re-form the X-Men with the express purpose of "astonishing" the world. But when breaking news regarding t...more
Paperback, 152 pages
Published
May 10th 2006
by Marvel
(first published December 15th 2004)
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Jan 15, 2012
Ronyell
rated it
5 of 5 stars
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Review is also on: Rabbit Ears Book Blog
6 stars!
Brief History:
Alright, I have actually first heard of the “X-Men” series when I was little and it was through a 90s cartoon series entitled “X-Men: The Animated Series.” From that day on, I was so hooked onto the “X-Men” franchise that I practically watched every incarnation of “X-Men” throughout my life which included the animated series “X-Men: Evolution” and I even watched all three “X-Men” movies. Now the truth of the matter is that even tho...more
6 stars!
Brief History:
Alright, I have actually first heard of the “X-Men” series when I was little and it was through a 90s cartoon series entitled “X-Men: The Animated Series.” From that day on, I was so hooked onto the “X-Men” franchise that I practically watched every incarnation of “X-Men” throughout my life which included the animated series “X-Men: Evolution” and I even watched all three “X-Men” movies. Now the truth of the matter is that even tho...more
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I haven't picked up an X-Men comic in a long time, unless you count the WOLVERINE ORIGINS: DEADPOOL graphic novel I reviewed recently; example, I had no idea that Scott Summers (Cyclops) and Emma Frost (the White Queen), were a couple. When did that happen? Nevertheless, in ASTONISHING X-MEN, it works. I love the interplay between Scott and Emma, with her love for Scott sullied by her bitterness of what he once shared with Jean Grey. I also like Kitty Pryde's overt mistrust of the White Queen ow...more
As a person newer to the comic universe, nothing frightened and confused me more than the plethora of "X-men" comic books. I had assumed to skip on the whole thing until a friend recommended this series written by the eternally intriguing Joss Whedon. Removed from the twisted continuity and stories of the present X-men comics, this series approached the team in some general present time in the marvel universe and created a simpler context with which to follow a very entertaining story. This revi...more
If you’re like me, then you can’t get enough of X-Men. Instead of going back and watching all the movies again, I suggest picking up Astonishing X-Men: Gifted by Joss Whedon and John Cassaday. Yes, Joss Whedon is the guy that brought you The Avengers movie earlier this year, and is most famous for his TV show Buffy, the Vampire Slayer.
The story of the first volume, Gifted, is this: Professor X is on sabbatical and Jean Grey is dead. Cyclops and Emma Frost are acting as heads of Xavier’s School....more
The story of the first volume, Gifted, is this: Professor X is on sabbatical and Jean Grey is dead. Cyclops and Emma Frost are acting as heads of Xavier’s School....more
Picking up where Grant Morrison left off, Joss Whedon begins his run on the X-Men with a new line up consisting of Cyclops, Emma Frost, Beast, Kitty Pryde, Lockheed the X-Dragon, and Wolverine (Xavier is "on sabbatical"). He's also reinstated the classic superhero outfits, ditching Morrison and Quitely's additions of black leather as "it was spooking people".
Having seen the third X-Men movie long before picking up this book I noticed the storyline they used in that film being used here for the f...more
Having seen the third X-Men movie long before picking up this book I noticed the storyline they used in that film being used here for the f...more
1 like · like · see review
I did not grow up with superhero comics and was never really a fan of one. What little I know about the X-men I learned from the movies. After I saw the Avenger movie I was impressed enough about how Whedon handled the genre that I searched out for other comics he has written and found this.
It's got all the ingredient that makes a Whedon fan swoon: Witty banter, character development, romantic angst, comedic scenes to break up the action, plot twists upon plot twists, and the building toward an...more
It's got all the ingredient that makes a Whedon fan swoon: Witty banter, character development, romantic angst, comedic scenes to break up the action, plot twists upon plot twists, and the building toward an...more
I heard nothing but great things about Whedon's run on Astonishing X-Men, so finally decided to check it out. Being the cheap ass that I am, I opted to instead purchase used copies of the original eighteen issues for about a dollar a piece, rather than buy the three trades.
This was a great read, but didn't blow me away as I had expected. I wasn't crazy about John Cassaday's art -- it got the job done, and he did it well, but it's usually the wacky & atmospheric kind of comic book art that re...more
This was a great read, but didn't blow me away as I had expected. I wasn't crazy about John Cassaday's art -- it got the job done, and he did it well, but it's usually the wacky & atmospheric kind of comic book art that re...more
To start with I give a warning: I'm a total sucker for the X-Men series. I love it. I have seen every movie and grew up watching the cartoons. I jump at the chance to read one of these whenever I found one. And just for kicks lets toss in that I have 2 different friends who have cats named Gambit.
But on with the actual review. I really enjoyed this adventure. It went a little beyond the usual by placing Scott in charge while being in a relationship with Emma Frost...which I never would have se...more
But on with the actual review. I really enjoyed this adventure. It went a little beyond the usual by placing Scott in charge while being in a relationship with Emma Frost...which I never would have se...more
The first volume of Joss Whedon's comics dream job. I've already called a lot of the books I've posted "damn near perfect" or the best of this or that... and that isn't about to change here. With Astonishing X-Men, we're given an X-Men story that is both new in concept and classical in tone, with every character's voice captured perfectly. It hits all the right notes, to such a degree that it may almost seem like pandering to the old school fans... but there's something more going on here.
Like a...more
Like a...more
The number of words in this post is going to be few. I am at a loss to adequately describe what I got to be a part of .The X-Men have been a big part of my collection from the number one issue. They were one of the cornerstones of the collection I had till I had to let it go. That being said this graphic novel is probably one of the best executed graphic novels I have ever seen. It is just that good.
The team of Joss Whedon and John Cassaday just blew me away. The story lines were intense and the...more
The team of Joss Whedon and John Cassaday just blew me away. The story lines were intense and the...more
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I've got to say, I'm really disappointed with this story. The last volume of this four volume comic continues the plot of the first, but the middle two are entirely filler. The story itself isn't too great anyway! It's a standard superhero plot (evil aliens are out to destroy the world and only the X-Men can stop them). I can definitely tell that Astonishing X-Men was written by Joss Whedon, though. You can always tell be the clever dialog. The art is fantastic....for the first issue. While I wa...more
Collects issues 1 - 6 of "Astonishing X-Men."
I quite liked this collection! I really liked the writing--the characters' "sound" different from each other (they don't all talk the same way) and as for the storyline, the very beginning is quite dark but the rest of it was interesting and intriguing. Of course, it does leave you wanting to read the next issue, with a lot unresolved :-) I also love the art; everybody's very expressive and the pictures are colorful, easy to follow, and just nice to l...more
I quite liked this collection! I really liked the writing--the characters' "sound" different from each other (they don't all talk the same way) and as for the storyline, the very beginning is quite dark but the rest of it was interesting and intriguing. Of course, it does leave you wanting to read the next issue, with a lot unresolved :-) I also love the art; everybody's very expressive and the pictures are colorful, easy to follow, and just nice to l...more
So I got the latest graphic novel from marvel's ultimate collection, X-men gifted. This is the second X-men title I have read and have to say that I enjoyed it a lot more than the previous one, The Dark Phoenix saga, This story was far more grounded in reality and a lot easier to believe. Y
The previous Dark Phoenix involved too much of the marvel universe and i don't like that but thankfully this is just about the X-men.
This could be considered a relaunch of sorts, After a lot of events and some...more
The previous Dark Phoenix involved too much of the marvel universe and i don't like that but thankfully this is just about the X-men.
This could be considered a relaunch of sorts, After a lot of events and some...more
I haven't read comic books for a really long time, but I enjoy picking up the trade paperback collections from time to time. I chose this one because I had a passing familiarity with the characters and I was curious to see what Joss Whedon would do with them. It didn't disappoint. Whedon has a real knack for writing groups of characters. He gives each one enough space and dialog to develop unique personalities. He also has a clear familiarity with the history of those characters and the book as...more
I enjoyed this quite a bit, but I didn't love it. Joss Whedon (creator of Buffy, Firefly, Dollhouse, Dr. Horrible) penned a series of X-Men comics under the umbrella title of "Astonishing X-Men.
I enjoyed the writing although at times found it to be a bit disorienting. This is most likely due to the complicated dialogue that Joss had going which would hop around to different scenes and people with no notice. There were several moments where I had to stop and re-read what had just happened to fig...more
I enjoyed the writing although at times found it to be a bit disorienting. This is most likely due to the complicated dialogue that Joss had going which would hop around to different scenes and people with no notice. There were several moments where I had to stop and re-read what had just happened to fig...more
There was no question in my mind that Joss Whedon can write, and quite well at that. But can he write the X-Men? The answer, of course, is that he can, and quite well at that.
This is, I believe, the first X book I've picked up in probably eight years. Nightcrawler is my favorite, and between (view spoiler) I've been avoiding them as unnecessary stressors. But that means that I missed Whedon's run on Astonis...more
This is, I believe, the first X book I've picked up in probably eight years. Nightcrawler is my favorite, and between (view spoiler) I've been avoiding them as unnecessary stressors. But that means that I missed Whedon's run on Astonis...more
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My introduction to the X-Men, many years ago, was the Dark Phoenix Saga (even though it was already a couple of years old when I found it). Up until then I'd been consuming Namor and the staples: Batman, Superman, Captain America, Spiderman. My starting place was not a bad place to start; it was, in fact, a pretty fine place to start. Maybe too fine. Starting with one of the finest chapters of the X-Men might be why I've mostly been a passing fan of Marvel's mutants over the years. Nothing could...more
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so, I was an obsessive fan of the x-men for a good many years in my youth. I read every x-title that Marvel published from around 1985 to around 1996 when I just gave up. The reason I quit reading is a long long story for another time, though I am sure that it matches many others....
Fast forward to a few weeks ago. I hear that the x-comics are pretty good and have been for awhile and that Whedon (who I will love forever for Firefly no matter what else he may screw up) had done a series for. And...more
Fast forward to a few weeks ago. I hear that the x-comics are pretty good and have been for awhile and that Whedon (who I will love forever for Firefly no matter what else he may screw up) had done a series for. And...more
Who better to take a crack at X-Men than Buffy creator Joss Whedon? By the end of this graphic novel, I was asking for more, more, more! Whedon infuses the book with his trademark wit, but also manages to top it off with just enough gravitas to tell a good story. Whedon's always been adept at creating great characters and putting them through the emotional wringer with a great story. He doesn't disappoint here - each character is very distinct, and play off each other well. Sure, it's the same c...more
Volume 1 of 'Astonishing X-Men' showcases Whedon's talent for writing group dialogue and action that allows a large cast of characters to shine and bounce off each other, without sacrificing the quality of the story. (see also: the recent Avengers film, Buffy, Firefly etc.).
The idea of a possible cure in the X-Men universe is always compelling, as it creates a divide between those with visible mutations that are desperate to be normal, and those that view their powers as an integral part of who...more
The idea of a possible cure in the X-Men universe is always compelling, as it creates a divide between those with visible mutations that are desperate to be normal, and those that view their powers as an integral part of who...more
What a breath of fresh air this was compared to Ultimate X-Men. This is what I was looking for from the franchise. I did a little bit of research prior to reading it as this picks up after New X-Men apparently. There is a decent amount of inference that can be made from exposition in the volume which helped as well. I am sure many moments would have meant more if there had been more momentum as a reader going in but I still thought it told a great story. Whedon places humor in the right spots an...more
Apr 30, 2013
Alicia Scully
rated it
5 of 5 stars
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Cyclops and Emma Frost re-unite the X-Men team to continue with their purpose of protecting humans and mutants alike. However, new enemies and new information on the mutant gene threaten to halt the new team before it can really start anything. In this installment, a proposed "cure" to the mutant gene comes into play and the X-Men must learn to fight a new villain who seems to be testing them for something.
I first ran across this book while making a Readers Advisory guide for one of my classes s...more
I first ran across this book while making a Readers Advisory guide for one of my classes s...more
I'd already read the Warren Ellis part of this series of X-Men. It comes later on. I read the first book after belatedly getting around to Joss Whedon via the films The Avengers and Cabin in the Woods, and then belatedly getting to Firefly, and then reading the comics, after all of which I was advised to check out Whedon's run on X-Men. I enjoyed this OK. It's much more of a comic, rather than a TV script in comics form, than were two of the three Firefly comics I read. There's a lot of wide-ang...more
Thus begins my foray into comic books. Quite honestly, I wouldn't have chosen the X-Men as my first series, but I took the meager offerings of my library. I was pleasantly surprised. I could tell I'd sort of jumped in after something huge had gone down (Magneto... in Manhattan?), and I didn't know all the characters that well. But it wasn't hard to take a quick liking to Dr. McCoy (LOLing forever at that one), Kitty Pryde, and Logan in particular. The story was engaging and not too unwelcoming t...more
I have loved the X-Men for a long time, but as a kid was generally more apt to watch the Saturday morning cartoon while readying my paper route materials than to get the comic books. I really rather enjoyed the cartoon as I knew it, the movies that have cropped up in the last decade or so, and was STOKED that Joss Whedon was taking a crack at it. Having read this first volume in his take on the "Astonishing X-Men", I am excited for the rest, and I feel a need to go back and read through prior vo...more
Oh, yes. Yes, this is definitely what I’ve been looking for. This is… yeah. This is X-Men like I remember from back in the days when I was running around my backyard pretending to be Iceman.
The X-books were my comic of choice for many years, so I’ve been itching to get back to them ever since I rediscovered the joy of graphic novels. Trouble is, the mutant books are particularly intimidating for newcomers, or for anyone who hasn’t been paying attention for the past decade or two. Soap operas ha...more
The X-books were my comic of choice for many years, so I’ve been itching to get back to them ever since I rediscovered the joy of graphic novels. Trouble is, the mutant books are particularly intimidating for newcomers, or for anyone who hasn’t been paying attention for the past decade or two. Soap operas ha...more
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I grudgingly give this a 5/5 .
I don't get the feeling that Joss wants to make the best possible storyline possible as much as he wants to show us the biggest, busiest, most explosive storyline. Essentially, he wants to show off.
But add one of my favorite artists into the mix (Cassaday), and I throw up my hands like a teacher and say, okay little Jossey, you have earned an 'A' for your efforts here today.
I am probably in the minority here, but I did not like the humorous Wolverine treatment. I...more
I don't get the feeling that Joss wants to make the best possible storyline possible as much as he wants to show us the biggest, busiest, most explosive storyline. Essentially, he wants to show off.
But add one of my favorite artists into the mix (Cassaday), and I throw up my hands like a teacher and say, okay little Jossey, you have earned an 'A' for your efforts here today.
I am probably in the minority here, but I did not like the humorous Wolverine treatment. I...more
I started reading the X-Men back in high school, in 1981 or so, about the time Kitty Pryde joined the team. I enjoyed the series until after I got to college, and then the various break-ups and shufflings of new teams lost my interest.
It was very interesting to pick up this new, Joss Whedon version of the team and see the old faces, the old conflicts, the old loves.
If you haven't been reading the X-Men over the years, there are some surprises and some definite holes: how/when did Scott Summers...more
It was very interesting to pick up this new, Joss Whedon version of the team and see the old faces, the old conflicts, the old loves.
If you haven't been reading the X-Men over the years, there are some surprises and some definite holes: how/when did Scott Summers...more
A surprise find at the library this week...Joss Whedon does not fail in writing this new X-Men graphic novel which collects Astonishing X-Men 1-6.
I'll be honest, I've not read X-Men in a looooong time and am missing quite a bit of history...Professor X is gone. The Beast, is well, really turning into a beast. Cyclops still whining, but not as much as he is now the new leader of the reformed X-Men. Emma Frost, The White Queen, is an X-Men (what the...) Shadowcat is all grown up and Wolverine is s...more
I'll be honest, I've not read X-Men in a looooong time and am missing quite a bit of history...Professor X is gone. The Beast, is well, really turning into a beast. Cyclops still whining, but not as much as he is now the new leader of the reformed X-Men. Emma Frost, The White Queen, is an X-Men (what the...) Shadowcat is all grown up and Wolverine is s...more
Apparently the X-Men series hit a good stopping point and, when they started again, they had the inimitable Joss Whedon write the sucker. You can tell by the dialogue (and I bet somebody gets happy and then has their best friend die or their puppy run over as is Whedon's way).
Anyway, Xavier off somewhere (or dead, I couldn't tell which) and a former villain, Frost, is heading the school with Cyclops. Cyclops gets Beast, Shadow Cat, and Wolverine together to revive the X-men as heroes. Meanwhi...more
Anyway, Xavier off somewhere (or dead, I couldn't tell which) and a former villain, Frost, is heading the school with Cyclops. Cyclops gets Beast, Shadow Cat, and Wolverine together to revive the X-men as heroes. Meanwhi...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Graphic Novel Rea...: Optional Book Club Discussion: Astonishing X-Men, Vol. 1: Gifted by Joss Whedon and John Cassaday - September 2012 (may contain spoilers) | 43 | 45 | Sep 27, 2012 06:19am |
Joss Whedon (born Joseph Hill Whedon) is an American screenwriter, executive producer, film and television director, comic book writer, occasional composer, and actor, and the founder of Mutant Enemy Productions and co-creator of Bellwether Pictures.
He is best known as the creator and showrunner of the television series 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997–2003)', 'Angel (1999–2004)', 'Firefly (2002)'...more
More about Joss Whedon...
He is best known as the creator and showrunner of the television series 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997–2003)', 'Angel (1999–2004)', 'Firefly (2002)'...more
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“Scramblers deactivated, then?
Well here's some good news.
You feel no pain.
You will go straight to a hospital. Remember nothing of this place.
And every time you hear the words "parsley", "intractable" or "longitude", you will vomit uncontrollably for forty-eight hours.”
—
15 people liked it
Well here's some good news.
You feel no pain.
You will go straight to a hospital. Remember nothing of this place.
And every time you hear the words "parsley", "intractable" or "longitude", you will vomit uncontrollably for forty-eight hours.”
“I leave the world in terrible turmoil. I come back, same turmoil. Nothing at all different. Well, outfits are a little different...”
—
13 people liked it
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