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8th out of 56 books
—
31 voters
Astonishing X-Men, Vol. 3: Torn (Astonishing X-Men #3)
They're back! The chart-topping super-team of Joss Whedon and John Cassaday return for more Astonshing X-Men!
If you thought their past efforts were full of shocks and surprises, hold onto your eyeballs - because you haven't seen anything yet, as things go from peculiar to just plain bizarre! Emma Frost's erratic behavior has the X-Men spinning in a non-stop downward spira...more
If you thought their past efforts were full of shocks and surprises, hold onto your eyeballs - because you haven't seen anything yet, as things go from peculiar to just plain bizarre! Emma Frost's erratic behavior has the X-Men spinning in a non-stop downward spira...more
Paperback, 152 pages
Published
February 14th 2007
by Marvel
(first published January 1st 2007)
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Jan 15, 2012
Ronyell
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Shelves:
action-adventure,
best-books-of-2011,
book-series,
books-i-want-to-own,
canadian-hero-or-heroine,
cult-classic,
drama,
favorites,
graphic-novels-comics,
humor-satire,
mystery,
read-in-2011,
reviewed-books,
ronyell-s-epinions-reviews,
russian-hero-or-heroine,
sexy-bad-boy-hero,
sexy-good-hero,
sexy-tough-heroine,
strong-hero,
strong-heroine,
surreal,
marvel-comics,
joss-whedon,
young-adult-teen-books,
my-blog-reviews,
modern-age-comics
Review is also on: Rabbit Ears Book Blog
Flashback:
After finishing the second volume of the awesome “Astonishing X-Men” series “Dangerous,” I was definitely looking forward to reading the third volume of this series “Torn.” Imagine my pure delight after I had finished reading this volume since I was totally blown away by the twists and turns in this volume and I am sure that X-Men fans will enjoy this volume as much as I did!
What is the story?
Emma Frost has been acting strange ever since the i...more
Flashback:
After finishing the second volume of the awesome “Astonishing X-Men” series “Dangerous,” I was definitely looking forward to reading the third volume of this series “Torn.” Imagine my pure delight after I had finished reading this volume since I was totally blown away by the twists and turns in this volume and I am sure that X-Men fans will enjoy this volume as much as I did!
What is the story?
Emma Frost has been acting strange ever since the i...more
I feel like I might be overzealous in my praise of this series, but I'm really, really loving it. None of the small annoyances from the second volume are here; this one is back to high bar established by the introductory volume. Whedon’s run on X-Men makes me feel like the reckless fanboy I used to be when I first discovered the X-books during the Claremont years.
This story arc begins with the faculty and students of Xavier’s school recovering from the hard-fought battles and somewhat pyrrhic vi...more
This story arc begins with the faculty and students of Xavier’s school recovering from the hard-fought battles and somewhat pyrrhic vi...more
the most emotionally confusing volume of the whedon/cassaday run, in this reader's heart.
the basic concept, as in the second volume, is fascinating (if a bit similar to the concept in the second volume itself): what if someone played fantastic mindgames with the x-men, forcing them to become upsettingly-plausible alternate versions of themselves?
but the engine behind that idea makes no sense. cassandra nova is alive? except she isn't? and she's been living in emma frost? except emma frost isn't...more
the basic concept, as in the second volume, is fascinating (if a bit similar to the concept in the second volume itself): what if someone played fantastic mindgames with the x-men, forcing them to become upsettingly-plausible alternate versions of themselves?
but the engine behind that idea makes no sense. cassandra nova is alive? except she isn't? and she's been living in emma frost? except emma frost isn't...more
The most confusing and unsatisfying of the Whedon volumes thus far. Now, don't get me wrong: this is still great; however, there's just too many last minute revelations, scattered plots and unanswered questions to feel like this volume could work as a complete story (unlike volumes 1 and 2 which feel like meaningful works all to themselves.)
In fact, I can't really tell you if there was a central conflict to this volume except that Emma Frost "apparently" screws over a lot of people and nobody kn...more
In fact, I can't really tell you if there was a central conflict to this volume except that Emma Frost "apparently" screws over a lot of people and nobody kn...more
The campy-named Hellfire Club and its roster of oddball villains sashay up to the Westchester School for a showdown with our heroes. But there is a turncoat among the X-Men, the once-villainous-turned-good-now-turned-bad-again Emma Frost who it seems has been helping Cassandra Nova regain power slowly to come back and defeat the X-Men once and for all. Throw in SWORD, the quasi-government agency from the future/another dimension (I forget) who are looking to save their world from destruction by...more
Good stuff. Several neat moments. I love it when Cyclops appears to waste the whole Hell Fire Club with a pistol. They all turn out to be psychic projections, which works for me. Of course in the years since Scott has made exactly the same choice (to kill the enemies occasionally even pre-emptively) using the new "X-Force" as his weapon, so I guess "character development" for Cyclops in the last few years has been totally inconsistent with who he is/has been since 1963, but oh well. The ending i...more
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
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
Wow. Talk about a mind f**k. The plotting and subplotting and backplotting and underplotting... I got really confused probably 20 times here. The shocks and twists start to have less impact for the sheer number of them. So, we knew Emma was a traitor for the first 2 books, and this book plays out that storyline.
But for all that the plot was a bit unbearable... ooh, you can really sink your teeth into the characterizations! I mean, the way Emma dissects Scott's character just rang so true... I ne...more
But for all that the plot was a bit unbearable... ooh, you can really sink your teeth into the characterizations! I mean, the way Emma dissects Scott's character just rang so true... I ne...more
This is definitely the volume where Whedon and Cassaday are on firm ground with the characters, Whedon in particular. Cassaday's art is still better in memory than on the page here, especially the depictions of Colossus and Kitty Pryde. There are moments of visual beauty, and others that are just messy and seem quickly done. The Beast, though, throughout is tremendous, and Wolverine is more humorous than ever — it's to Whedon's credit that the least social of the group's members becomes its most...more
So, the X-Men are under attack from the inside again, only this time it's by psychics. This leads to some excessive silliness (Wolverine regressed to some childlike state, the Beast regressed to a mere beast), some interesting character studies on how people are defined and driven by their guilt and insecurities, and my very favorite X-Man, Kitty Pryde, plunged into a truly awful nightmare in order to manipulate her into using her powers on the intruders' behalf.
And finally, a cause for empathy...more
And finally, a cause for empathy...more
Whedon continues to burrow into the humanity of these six select X-Men, which is really one of the best things about this series. The deftness with which he does so is truly amazing.
A not-too-distant second, though, is the overall plot which sees the X-Men brought low by the newest incarnation of The Hellfire Club, while also having to tangle with Ord and Danger.
This series continues to sizzle in this volume with Whedon's great stories and the fascinating artwork by John Cassaday and co. doesn't...more
A not-too-distant second, though, is the overall plot which sees the X-Men brought low by the newest incarnation of The Hellfire Club, while also having to tangle with Ord and Danger.
This series continues to sizzle in this volume with Whedon's great stories and the fascinating artwork by John Cassaday and co. doesn't...more
This trade collects issues 13-18 of Joss Whedon's run on Astonishing X-men.
**Note: Torn directly continues events started in Volume 1 (Gifted) and continued in Volume 2 (Dangerous). It will be impossible to follow if you don't read those first and this review by necessity will contain some spoilers for previous volumes. **
Vol 3 of Joss Whedon's X-men story builds off the revelation shared with readers at the end of Vol 2. Emma's secrets and odd behavior pays off as The Hellfire Club returns to p...more
**Note: Torn directly continues events started in Volume 1 (Gifted) and continued in Volume 2 (Dangerous). It will be impossible to follow if you don't read those first and this review by necessity will contain some spoilers for previous volumes. **
Vol 3 of Joss Whedon's X-men story builds off the revelation shared with readers at the end of Vol 2. Emma's secrets and odd behavior pays off as The Hellfire Club returns to p...more
I had stopped buying comics, for the most part, until about 6 months ago, and as a result, I missed all but the first couple issues of this, the "second season." It was brought to my attention, that after issue 24 & "Giant-Size Astonishing X-Men #1," Warren Ellis & Simone Bianche would be taking over creative duties with issue 25. So for those of you that follow my goodreadsiness, you know that means I had to catch up. And catch up I did! Another awesome volume. really. I was a little up...more
I'd heard a lot of positive buzz about Joss Whedon's Astonishing X-Men series. Three volumes in, I'm finding lots to like but not enough to love. Like most of the adventures so far in "Astonishing," this story begins with the X-Men basically minding they biz at the X-Mansion (which, as in this film series, houses a school with dozens of teenage mutants whom the X-Men teach) when a hella powerful intruder comes in and mops the floor with them, until, through some psychic mumbo-jumbo and other var...more
I read this book because I had to read a graphic novel and had the coolest looking cover in the graphic novel section of the library. This book is a graphic novel. I liked how easy i was to read because it was pretty much just pictures. I found it hard to understand, I couldnt see hoe it related to the page before and after it, it was just jumping all over the place. I would reccomend this book to little kids who dont really care about a book making sence just as long as they think the pictures...more
Though probably the least accessible to new readers, the third volume of Whedon's X-Men run is definitely my favorite. Having proven he can weave a solid adventure yarn, Whedon decides to delve into the team's collective psyche, playing mind games with characters and readers alike and delivering probably the funniest moment ever for one character and the most awe-inspiring revelation about another. This is a thinking person's X-Men tale that both warrants and supports many, many rereads.
Jun 22, 2010
Jeffrey Lawson
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Whedon Fans and X-Men Fanatics
Recommended to Jeffrey by:
Ashley Daugherty & Evan Townsend
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Couldn't have enjoyed this any more. I actually ended up unintentionally reading it in 1 sitting. A perfect marriage of fantastic writing and excellent art, the reader is swept along by the story. Well paced, outstanding characterization and dialogue,and a clever twist, Wheedon proves that the X-Men does not have to be the convoluted mess it often is, if a competent writer approaches it right.
4.5/5 for this one, one of the best collections I've read in a while.
4.5/5 for this one, one of the best collections I've read in a while.
I really enjoyed this volume of the series! Joss Whedon's sense of humor is very present - Percy Dovetonsils! - we get some serious moments of people dealing with guilt, loss, and betrayal. I kind of like the Cyclops that comes through at the end (and normally I can't stand him). Kitty Pryde manages to kick a lot of ass in this too. For someone who doesn't have a lot of familiarity with the X-Men storylines, I was able to keep up and stay interested. I can't wait for the next volume!
Great, creative storytelling here - putting the balance all out of whack, giving us a while new way to look at the team. But even without a good story, I would celebrate this whole book for just the hilarious twist they put on our favourite hairy Canadian. Satisfying story, still-great art, and leaves us wanting to see where the team is headed next. Yes, I'm really intrigued and dying to get into the next (and for Whedon, the last) book.
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Really got excited to read Joss Whedon doing some x-men writing. Hilarious dialogue.
And the art is actually good, which seems to be rare from Marvel these days.
Best panel, by far, in the book is this one of Kitty Pryde in the exact stance that Wolverine has in a former fight with the Hellfire Club. Such a good way to give props to the old stories.
And if that knowledge doesn't peg me as a comic dork, i don't know what will.
And the art is actually good, which seems to be rare from Marvel these days.
Best panel, by far, in the book is this one of Kitty Pryde in the exact stance that Wolverine has in a former fight with the Hellfire Club. Such a good way to give props to the old stories.
And if that knowledge doesn't peg me as a comic dork, i don't know what will.
In Whedon's third volume, the renewed Hellfire Club makes it move on the X-Men. Beast is reduced to the mental state of an animal, Logan loses his memory (hilariously), Cyclops is rendered powerless after being "cured", and Colossus is physically incapacitated. The only ones who can save the team now are Shadowcat and Emma Frost - but didn't Emma just betray them? Questions abound and answers are revealed as the X-Men face a battle within.
10 Second Review
Emma messes with Scott's head, Kitty gets lucky and a powerful alien comes to kill X-men.
Meanwhile Beast gets wild while Logan get civilized.
Strange things are going on and Scott struggles to find answers.
Good art and story. A fun read with some unusual elements.
Notes
Why does anyone trust Emma?
Learning Curve
Low: Some knowledge of the X-men would be helpful
Emma messes with Scott's head, Kitty gets lucky and a powerful alien comes to kill X-men.
Meanwhile Beast gets wild while Logan get civilized.
Strange things are going on and Scott struggles to find answers.
Good art and story. A fun read with some unusual elements.
Notes
Why does anyone trust Emma?
Learning Curve
Low: Some knowledge of the X-men would be helpful
I loved the art in this part of the 4-part comp. The facial expressions are amazing, and the way the panels are split up gets very creative. Many of the characters are diverted from their path by... something I can't spoil. It reminded me of "Spin the Bottle" on Angel. The way they are put back on track is fun, well drawn, and revealing of their characters.
One of the signature Joss Whedon plot-lines is to make a character act in a different way. For example, what if all the adults of Sunnydale acted like teenagers? What Buffy thought like a caveman? And now he does that with the X-Men. I like Wolverine's transformations, of course.
Also, the exploration of each of the characters' fears is always fascinating.
Also, the exploration of each of the characters' fears is always fascinating.
The plot is very convoluted, so much so that the many twists and turns are in danger of losing impact. However, Whedon's excellent dialogue lifts the characters off the page, especially Wolverine and Beast. I also love how Beast is drawn, and the scenes between Peter Rasputin and Kitty Pryde made me feel all fuzzy inside (well, the happy ones anyway...)
I enjoyed the dialogue and the characterizations, but the plot was complete mumbo-jumbo to me. I'm still kind of a noob which made it even more difficult to follow along with the weird psychic attacks and clones and alt-universe stuff. I'll finish out the arc, but I'm not exactly waiting with bated breath for my hold on the next trade to come through.
Apr 16, 2011
Virginia
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommended to Virginia by:
Wil Wheaton
Shelves:
graphic-novel,
read-2011
Wow! That's one heck of a cliffhanger at the end of this volume!! Good thing I have the next one lined up ready to go at the library. I can't even imagine waiting for this the next month when these were coming out as monthly installments.
Hilarious (especially Logan), poignant and action-packed, this volume is all things awesome. Great Stuff!
Hilarious (especially Logan), poignant and action-packed, this volume is all things awesome. Great Stuff!
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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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“Are you all right?"
"Oh my god! I phased!"
"Are you all right?"
"Are you?"
"It was strange."
"I can't believe I phased just then! That's never...it was totally your fault."
"I like to think so, yes."
"Tee hee.”
—
3 people liked it
"Oh my god! I phased!"
"Are you all right?"
"Are you?"
"It was strange."
"I can't believe I phased just then! That's never...it was totally your fault."
"I like to think so, yes."
"Tee hee.”
“I'm totally cool. I'm totally calm, and I'm totally cool. My calm is exceeded only by my cool. Which is total. Here we go.”
—
2 people liked it
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Aug 03, 2011 07:10am
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