What do you think?
Rate this book
X-Men (2004) (Collected Editions) #7
X-Men: Supernovas
Mike Carey (Ultimate Fantastic Four) and Chris Bachalo (Uncanny X-Men) take over X-Men, or at least what's left of them! As old threats are still having their effects, new, more deadly threats emerge from the unlikliest of places. Threats that spell doom for the X-Men. Plus: What could possibly strike terror into the heart of...Sabretooth?! And who are the Children of the Vault?This is the book you've been waiting for! A perfect starting point for any new reader!
Collecting: X-Men 188-199, Annual 1
Collecting: X-Men 188-199, Annual 1
328 pages, Hardcover
First published August 22, 2007
7 people are currently reading
298 people want to read
About the author
Mike Carey
1,273 books2,973 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Mike Carey was born in Liverpool in 1959. He worked as a teacher for fifteen years, before starting to write comics. When he started to receive regular commissions from DC Comics, he gave up the day job.
Since then, he has worked for both DC and Marvel Comics, writing storylines for some of the world's most iconic characters, including X-MEN, FANTASTIC FOUR, LUCIFER and HELLBLAZER. His original screenplay FROST FLOWERS is currently being filmed. Mike has also adapted Neil Gaiman's acclaimed NEVERWHERE into comics.
Somehow, Mike finds time amongst all of this to live with his wife and children in North London. You can read his blog at www.mikecarey.net.
Mike Carey was born in Liverpool in 1959. He worked as a teacher for fifteen years, before starting to write comics. When he started to receive regular commissions from DC Comics, he gave up the day job.
Since then, he has worked for both DC and Marvel Comics, writing storylines for some of the world's most iconic characters, including X-MEN, FANTASTIC FOUR, LUCIFER and HELLBLAZER. His original screenplay FROST FLOWERS is currently being filmed. Mike has also adapted Neil Gaiman's acclaimed NEVERWHERE into comics.
Somehow, Mike finds time amongst all of this to live with his wife and children in North London. You can read his blog at www.mikecarey.net.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
June 6, 2016
Mike Carey's run on X-Men/X-Men Legacy, especially the first few story-lines was one that I regret ignoring in favor of Ed Brubaker's space opera on Uncanny X-Men. I've started to read his entire work on the characters as long as my monthly subscription to Marvel Unlimited could hold out.
One of the reasons that I'm enjoying this is because of the characters I missed when I was following exclusively Uncanny X-Men. This roster has Rogue as team leader, Iceman, Cannonball, Sabretooth, Mystique, Omega Sentinel, Lady Mastermind and Cable. It is indeed a volatile mix of personalities.
Another reason why this is a joy to read is the art team; Chris Bachalo is one of my favorite X-Men artists; I finally figured it out when I enjoyed my re-reading of Bachalo's first run on the characters. His cartoony, stylized take gives it a timeless quality that doesn't make the work dated even if I read it twenty years from the day I bought if from the comic store. Of course, Bachalo can't handle a monhtly sechdule on his own, so it's a rotating art team with Humberto Ramos spelling him on alternate arcs. Ramos has a similar stylized style so it actullay meshed well with Bachalo to not make it a jarring read.
This is actually one of my favorite X-Men runs now and I don't own a single issue or trade of it, but that's okay because I could just re-read all of it on Marvel Unlimited.
One of the reasons that I'm enjoying this is because of the characters I missed when I was following exclusively Uncanny X-Men. This roster has Rogue as team leader, Iceman, Cannonball, Sabretooth, Mystique, Omega Sentinel, Lady Mastermind and Cable. It is indeed a volatile mix of personalities.
Another reason why this is a joy to read is the art team; Chris Bachalo is one of my favorite X-Men artists; I finally figured it out when I enjoyed my re-reading of Bachalo's first run on the characters. His cartoony, stylized take gives it a timeless quality that doesn't make the work dated even if I read it twenty years from the day I bought if from the comic store. Of course, Bachalo can't handle a monhtly sechdule on his own, so it's a rotating art team with Humberto Ramos spelling him on alternate arcs. Ramos has a similar stylized style so it actullay meshed well with Bachalo to not make it a jarring read.
This is actually one of my favorite X-Men runs now and I don't own a single issue or trade of it, but that's okay because I could just re-read all of it on Marvel Unlimited.
May 26, 2019
Mike Carey comes in like a wrecking ball and makes the X-Men good again after Chuck Austen and Peter Milligan's awful turn on the books. I love this volatile mix of X-Men Carey has put together with a badass version of Rogue in charge. Plus Cannonball! One of my all-time favorite X-Men who hasn't gotten much time to shine in the last 20 years after New Mutants / X-Force ended. The Children of the Vault is a very cool concept that Jonathan Hickman would explore in more detail during his Ultimates run with the "Maker" a few years later. Chris Bachalo's art is wild and bombastic, fitting perfectly with an X-Men team having Mystique, Lady Mastermind, and Sabertooth as members. This was the beginning of the last peak X-Men time that lasted up to Schism where the books were consistently good.
February 27, 2022
This took me quite some time to read but it was so good!
It picks up with X-Men being targeted from the inside and all and we later discover that its the Children of the vault and we find their origins and so Rogue forms her own team and it kinda includes Sabreooth and Mystique and obviously there is some resistance from the X-Men and we follow that tension filled drama and stakes and what not, the face offs and well the team going to fight the Vault children particularly Serafina and I love what she does with Sam and how that comes to bite her big time and its a fun face off! The conclusion to it just shows what a badass her team is and I loved this story and it also plays a big part in Hickman run!
Then the next story is with Rogue being abducted by a guy named Pan (short for Pandemic) and well he absorbs other peoples power and sort of subdues the X-Men but when Rogue confronts him and what Sabretooth does with him makes the whole story so much more interesting and an epic read. And the changes to Rogue but the other story which leads to the Mummudrai invasion, in particular something called "the hecatomb" and how the X-Men deal with the psionic shi'aar entity makes for a great story and it seems inspired by Morrison and a very different threat one which they can't punch but how Cable and then Rogue stop it is amazing and changes the whole dynamic of the team and the series.
Carey comes in with a big bang and like he changes the dynamic between the characters for good and he shows threats in different forms and showing this ragtag team to be a real challenge and plays some interest dynamic between them like mystique and bobby and he also sort of seems to give the other members a redemptive chance and it makes for a great read. My only concern was the art of Bachalo and its interesting and not in a good way and can irritate the reader but alternating with Ramos is good. But overall its a great read and comes after dismal runs of Milligan and Austen. A worthy successor to Morrison!
It picks up with X-Men being targeted from the inside and all and we later discover that its the Children of the vault and we find their origins and so Rogue forms her own team and it kinda includes Sabreooth and Mystique and obviously there is some resistance from the X-Men and we follow that tension filled drama and stakes and what not, the face offs and well the team going to fight the Vault children particularly Serafina and I love what she does with Sam and how that comes to bite her big time and its a fun face off! The conclusion to it just shows what a badass her team is and I loved this story and it also plays a big part in Hickman run!
Then the next story is with Rogue being abducted by a guy named Pan (short for Pandemic) and well he absorbs other peoples power and sort of subdues the X-Men but when Rogue confronts him and what Sabretooth does with him makes the whole story so much more interesting and an epic read. And the changes to Rogue but the other story which leads to the Mummudrai invasion, in particular something called "the hecatomb" and how the X-Men deal with the psionic shi'aar entity makes for a great story and it seems inspired by Morrison and a very different threat one which they can't punch but how Cable and then Rogue stop it is amazing and changes the whole dynamic of the team and the series.
Carey comes in with a big bang and like he changes the dynamic between the characters for good and he shows threats in different forms and showing this ragtag team to be a real challenge and plays some interest dynamic between them like mystique and bobby and he also sort of seems to give the other members a redemptive chance and it makes for a great read. My only concern was the art of Bachalo and its interesting and not in a good way and can irritate the reader but alternating with Ramos is good. But overall its a great read and comes after dismal runs of Milligan and Austen. A worthy successor to Morrison!
June 4, 2024
This book has three story arcs, I picked it up for the Children of the Vault story and was not disappointed, fun high stakes arc with cool new enemies and good art by Chris Bachalo, lackluster ending though. I rushed through the second story illustrated by Humberto Ramos, I really don't like his art style, then Bachalo came back for the third one which was ok. Most of all I loved the team roster, the Marauders, Cannonball is peak in cool here, Cable and Rogue are badass, and Iceman and Mystique had an iconic romance going on, Creed was well written too.
September 16, 2012
"Supernovas" is a great & epic story that touches upon the same science-fiction tone as found in Morrison's best work. The characterization of a large array of characters is also spot on and interesting [9/10]. The annual ("Covenants") has some nice depth to it [8/10]. "Primary Infection" isn't as amazing as what came before it, but it's a solid X story with a good cast of characters, used well [7/10]. And finally with "Red Data" we end on a strong note, with great characters and great repercussions [8/10]. Overall, a very strong and innovative book that almost makes me sorry that Carey moved over to the Legacy storyline. A bit too many omnipotent opponents, though.
March 31, 2018
Wow! This is one of the best modern X-Men runs I've read so far, third only to Whedon's and Morrison's runs. Mike Carey's writing is superb. This is my first exposure to him and he really impressed me, especially with the really clever ways he used the roster's powers. He basically ignored most of the messy melodrama from Austen's and Milligan's runs, took a couple of characters and added some new ones to make a really interesting and unique team. This new team is led by Rogue and consists of Iceman, Cannonball, Mystique, Lady Mastermind, Omega Sentinel, Sabretooth, and Cable. Carey really nails each character's voice and gives each of them good development. Rogue especially gets major focus, and as a result she is now one of my favorite X-Men.
The first arc, Supernovas, was superb. We get introduced to a new group of antagonists, The Children of the Vault, and things play out from there. Rogue is a badass and her new costume looks amazing. Great writing, cool new characters, and amazing art by Chris Bachalo and his coloring team. Solid 5/5 for this arc.
The annual has a new art team and resolves some threads regarding the Beaubier twins from the previous arc. Outside of the twins, the story is fairly average and the art was decent. 3/5
The second main arc, Primary Infection, dealt with a plot thread from the beginning of Supernovas, and ended up finalizing that story. Good writing, good villain, great development for Rogue, and great use of the roster's powers. The pencil work this time around was handled by Humberto Ramos, whose cartoony style looks enough like Bachalo's, so it kept the art direction cohesive. However I can't say I enjoyed it as much as Bachalo. Ramos is generally not an artist I'm too fond of. A decent 3.5/5 for this arc, mostly due to the art being weaker; and while the writing itself was top notch in most aspects, the plot itself was a bit more standard.
The third and final arc, Red Data, ended up being one of my favorites. Like Primary Infection, this took a small plot thread introduced in the first arc that sublimely extended into the second arc so expertly that some readers might've not thought much of it, and then turned it into a giant threat. Carey's set up and delivery is amazing. I am quite impressed at how well paced and tied together everything is in this book. Instead of feeling like disjointed arcs like a lot of runs tend to get, everything was thought of from the very first issue, and every plot thread gets resolved by the last issue. This arc features a really interesting new threat to the team, more great use of the roster's powers, and more great development for some of the characters. The art this time around is handled by Bachalo once again, inked by the great Tim Townsend, and colored by the amazing Antonio Fabela with Bachalo as well. The use of coloring for this arc was nothing short of amazing, with some of the entities being drawn and painted by Fabela and then being overlayed on top of Bachalo's pencils. It worked wonderfully to make these entities feel foreign and spectral. This arc gets a very strong 5/5.
All in all I give this book a strong 9/10 or a rounded up 5/5. Looking forward to continuing this run in Blinded by the Light, and now also interested in following Mike Carey into his X-Men Legacy run after the Messiah Trilogy. I also have a newfound appreciation for Chris Bachalo's incredibly dynamic art and will be looking forward to seeing more of his work in future X-Men runs and otherwise.
The first arc, Supernovas, was superb. We get introduced to a new group of antagonists, The Children of the Vault, and things play out from there. Rogue is a badass and her new costume looks amazing. Great writing, cool new characters, and amazing art by Chris Bachalo and his coloring team. Solid 5/5 for this arc.
The annual has a new art team and resolves some threads regarding the Beaubier twins from the previous arc. Outside of the twins, the story is fairly average and the art was decent. 3/5
The second main arc, Primary Infection, dealt with a plot thread from the beginning of Supernovas, and ended up finalizing that story. Good writing, good villain, great development for Rogue, and great use of the roster's powers. The pencil work this time around was handled by Humberto Ramos, whose cartoony style looks enough like Bachalo's, so it kept the art direction cohesive. However I can't say I enjoyed it as much as Bachalo. Ramos is generally not an artist I'm too fond of. A decent 3.5/5 for this arc, mostly due to the art being weaker; and while the writing itself was top notch in most aspects, the plot itself was a bit more standard.
The third and final arc, Red Data, ended up being one of my favorites. Like Primary Infection, this took a small plot thread introduced in the first arc that sublimely extended into the second arc so expertly that some readers might've not thought much of it, and then turned it into a giant threat. Carey's set up and delivery is amazing. I am quite impressed at how well paced and tied together everything is in this book. Instead of feeling like disjointed arcs like a lot of runs tend to get, everything was thought of from the very first issue, and every plot thread gets resolved by the last issue. This arc features a really interesting new threat to the team, more great use of the roster's powers, and more great development for some of the characters. The art this time around is handled by Bachalo once again, inked by the great Tim Townsend, and colored by the amazing Antonio Fabela with Bachalo as well. The use of coloring for this arc was nothing short of amazing, with some of the entities being drawn and painted by Fabela and then being overlayed on top of Bachalo's pencils. It worked wonderfully to make these entities feel foreign and spectral. This arc gets a very strong 5/5.
All in all I give this book a strong 9/10 or a rounded up 5/5. Looking forward to continuing this run in Blinded by the Light, and now also interested in following Mike Carey into his X-Men Legacy run after the Messiah Trilogy. I also have a newfound appreciation for Chris Bachalo's incredibly dynamic art and will be looking forward to seeing more of his work in future X-Men runs and otherwise.
October 27, 2018
Mike Carey with so much great creator owned work takes the X-Men reigns starting with the Supernovas, like Claremont's 'The Neo' a whole new race of very powerful individuals are after the mutants, which limits their appeal to other writers going forward? Anyways great concept and idea, but I just don't think Bachalo's style of art works with new or returning characters, it gets confusing at times? Some surprise additions to the newly formed Rogue led team. An average 6 out of 12 from me.
September 29, 2020
Reading the current X-men run by Hickman, he had an issue with this “ vault”. Reading this book, I now see what that was. Pretty cool. Also what it does and the why and who was in there was pretty cool as well. Once they came out, they were a real problem for the X-men. What I also enjoyed was the fact they Rogue was running the show and why Cyclops gave her the keys to her own team. She was written as a badass throughout this book. A couple of other adventures jump off in here as well. From someone using Rogue as a guinea pig for some experiment he was running, down to an ancient weapon built by the Shi’ar that backfired and found its was to earth. Good stuff.
March 17, 2022
Great introduction to Carey's run which captures the tone of this era (Pre Hope) so well. Chris Bachalo's art style fits perfectly too (does the last and middle arc of this collection), especially the way he does the backgrounds and landscapes on action scenes. There are so many good 2 page spreads
Its a great comic when you can just flip through the pages without reading the text and have the same emotions.
Its a great comic when you can just flip through the pages without reading the text and have the same emotions.
December 3, 2017
3,5 stele.
O serie mai mult decât decentă.
O serie mai mult decât decentă.
December 24, 2023
Badass from beginning to end. Rogue is one of my favorite mutants and to get to see this version of her was great.
July 29, 2019
De los proyectos que aparecieron después de Génesis Mortal relacionados con la Patrulla-X, quizá el más innovador y rupturista fuera el de Mike Carey. Desde la alineación del equipo a su actitud, todo era extraño. Con el Profesor-X en el espacio tratando de alcanzar a Vulcano, y tras la intervención de un grupo liderado por Pícara en un falso hospital donde viviseccionaban mutantes por órdenes de un tal "Pan", Cíclope y Pícara acuerdan que esta dirigirá un grupo de intervención rápida, sin deberes formativos en la escuela. Así que junto a Pícara, encontramos en estas páginas al Hombre de Hielo y Bala de Cañón... pero también a Cable,Mística, Lady Mente Maestra, la Centinela Karima Shapandar y Dientes de Sable.
Durante la trama de Supernovas, el grupo de Pícara conseguiría incluso un nuevo cuartel general, un barco volador llamado "El Conquistador", que toman de sus enemigos en este primer arco, los Hijos de la Cámara, un grupo de humanos evolucionados que persiguen a Dientes de Sable tratando de acabar con todos aquellos que habían oído hablar de ellos (la aparición de una raza ajena a humanos y mutantes no es nueva, en tiempos, Claremont ya trajo a los extintos "Neo"), y para ello, utilizan a Estrella del Norte y Aurora, volviendo a poner a ambos personajes en el tablero. El segundo arco, Infección Primaria, continuaba directamente con la trama del hospital del primer número de Carey, ya que el grupo de Pícara tiene que hacer frente a Pan (Pandemia), un doctor que experimente con los mutantes para absorber sus poderes. Y por último, con Pícara bastante tocada por su enfrentamiento con Pan, el equipo terminó en la Isla de Providence, un refugio organizado por Cable, donde con la dudosa ayuda de un Mummudrai (una entidad psíquica malvada), tienen que hacer frente a un antiguo arma de destrucción masiva de los Shi'ar...
El argumento no está mal, la verdad, la historia es bastante chula... pero la verdad es que tengo bastantes atragantados a los dos dibujantes que acompañaron a Carey en esta etapa: Chris Bachalo y Humberto Ramos (más el primero que el segundo). Así que realmente no disfruto demasiado de estas historias, seguramente porque se me caen en la parte visual.
Durante la trama de Supernovas, el grupo de Pícara conseguiría incluso un nuevo cuartel general, un barco volador llamado "El Conquistador", que toman de sus enemigos en este primer arco, los Hijos de la Cámara, un grupo de humanos evolucionados que persiguen a Dientes de Sable tratando de acabar con todos aquellos que habían oído hablar de ellos (la aparición de una raza ajena a humanos y mutantes no es nueva, en tiempos, Claremont ya trajo a los extintos "Neo"), y para ello, utilizan a Estrella del Norte y Aurora, volviendo a poner a ambos personajes en el tablero. El segundo arco, Infección Primaria, continuaba directamente con la trama del hospital del primer número de Carey, ya que el grupo de Pícara tiene que hacer frente a Pan (Pandemia), un doctor que experimente con los mutantes para absorber sus poderes. Y por último, con Pícara bastante tocada por su enfrentamiento con Pan, el equipo terminó en la Isla de Providence, un refugio organizado por Cable, donde con la dudosa ayuda de un Mummudrai (una entidad psíquica malvada), tienen que hacer frente a un antiguo arma de destrucción masiva de los Shi'ar...
El argumento no está mal, la verdad, la historia es bastante chula... pero la verdad es que tengo bastantes atragantados a los dos dibujantes que acompañaron a Carey en esta etapa: Chris Bachalo y Humberto Ramos (más el primero que el segundo). Así que realmente no disfruto demasiado de estas historias, seguramente porque se me caen en la parte visual.
July 28, 2013
Mike Carey teams with artists Chris Bachalo and Humberto Ramos for an unusual look at the X-Men franchise. Following her handling of a hostage crisis, Cyclops offers Rogue the chance to put together her own field team and handle operations as she sees fit (shades of the future X-Force series). This coincides with a fleeing Sabretooth seeking sanctuary at the X-Mansion, running from the evolutionary creatures known as the Children of the Vault. Able to drive off the brainwashed strike team of Northstar and Aurora, rogue opts for a very dangerous squad to take down their opponents. Veteran X-Men Iceman and Cannonball join traitorous Mystique, prisoner Sabretooth, vengeful Lady Mastermind, rebuilt Omega Sentinel, and utopian leader Cable to bring the fight to their new adversaries. After dealing with the Children, the group tracks down both the genetic scientist Pandemic and the monstrous mind-creature called Hecatomb. Despite the fantastically oddball team, Carey is unable to leave this X-incarnation with any notable battles. The art by Bachalo and Ramos is engaging but can get caught up in lack of detail and muddles action sequences. The team was a great idea, but the overall volume fizzles out exactly like a supernova.
June 30, 2015
The first arc involving the Children of the Vault is probably one of Rogue's best stories if not the best. We get to see her kick ass and fight an almost unbeatable opponent. Her team is unique and each one has a specific reason for being there and staying rather than just being a tag along because they are X-Men. The arc isn't like most others in that we see the enemy right off the bat and they are knee deep and around the heroes the whole time. They never leave their side and as a reader you are screaming 'THEY ARE RIGHT THERE!'. The suspense only builds from there. The best part is that ending scene. There is nothing else like it. I'd love a print of it on my wall.
The next issues sadly do not live up to the first issues. They are scattered and seemingly disjunct with what you have just read. That is until the last issue where some of the tale is wrapped up. It has that same action packed intensity of the first arc where you are wondering whether the day is going to be saved or not.
I rate the first arc five stars and the rest three and the final issue a four. So we'll call it a four. That first arc is a classic of modern X-Men.
The next issues sadly do not live up to the first issues. They are scattered and seemingly disjunct with what you have just read. That is until the last issue where some of the tale is wrapped up. It has that same action packed intensity of the first arc where you are wondering whether the day is going to be saved or not.
I rate the first arc five stars and the rest three and the final issue a four. So we'll call it a four. That first arc is a classic of modern X-Men.
October 27, 2013
Supernovas 188-193.
Vs Children of the Vault. Leader Rogue, Iceman and Cannonball are joined by Cable, Omega Sentinel (From the Last Excalibur Series), Lady Mastermind, Mystique (coming from her own series that ended and Bizzare Love Triangle story) and Sabretooth.
I'm not a fan of Bachalo's art, most of the time I can't tell what's going on, and distracts from the story.
On second read, knowing what's going on, I can get into it a little more, I can get what the art is going for.
But still, in the end this book is just ok.
Primary Infection 194-196.
Pandemic needs Rogue's Powers.
Ramos can be good on Spider-Man but I just don't like it on X-Men.
Red Data 197-199.
Vs. Hecatomb.
Cable & Deadpool #40 is a tie-in after X-Men 198 but is not included in this book.
X-Men Annual
Vs Children of the Vault. Leader Rogue, Iceman and Cannonball are joined by Cable, Omega Sentinel (From the Last Excalibur Series), Lady Mastermind, Mystique (coming from her own series that ended and Bizzare Love Triangle story) and Sabretooth.
I'm not a fan of Bachalo's art, most of the time I can't tell what's going on, and distracts from the story.
On second read, knowing what's going on, I can get into it a little more, I can get what the art is going for.
But still, in the end this book is just ok.
Primary Infection 194-196.
Pandemic needs Rogue's Powers.
Ramos can be good on Spider-Man but I just don't like it on X-Men.
Red Data 197-199.
Vs. Hecatomb.
Cable & Deadpool #40 is a tie-in after X-Men 198 but is not included in this book.
X-Men Annual
June 26, 2011
Major disappointment. I thought that Mike Carey would bring some intelligent writing to X-men but what did we get? Endless fighting against ridiculous opponents. Yeah, we saw enough of this in the 80s. But X-men of the new millenium should be about different, more intelligent storytelling, as Morrisson or Whedon showed. So the only thing about this comic is Rogue and the fact that some really surprising characters join the team.
August 19, 2013
Por lo que he leído hasta ahora, con Mike Carey me pasa lo mismo que con Peter Milligan: en sus títulos "Vertigo" me parecen dos guionistas de puta madre, en sus títulos "mainstream" (sobre todo los que hacen para Marvel) me suelo pegar tremendo embole. Con Supernovas, evidentemente, me pasó lo segundo. Espero que para "Complejo de Mesías" repunte un poco.
May 10, 2024
En el contexto post Día-M, donde la comunidad mutante se vio mermada hasta casi su extinción y el gobierno aprovechó para "vigilar" mejor a los Hijos del Átomo hasta apostando Centinelas hiper gigantes en la Mansión X. Surge una nueva formación de la Patrulla-X de acción más "directa" en consonancia con varios miembros más hermanados con la villanía. El caso, es que este grupo liderado por Pícara, se salva de tener que generar un nuevo nombre clave o hiper forzar la alusión a formaciones ya asentadas como X-Force y demás. Sencillamente son el grupo titular que necesita la historia en un momento en concreto. Y así, Mike Carey presenta este ciclo reconocido por el título del 1º arco argumental: Supernovas. Donde Dientes de Sable motivará la trama al estar escapando de una amenaza que pone los pelos de punta a semejante bestia parda. Se le sumarán otras grandes amenazas que presentan mi mayor problema con este conjunto. El cual busca antes la acción y espectacularidad por encima de todo que aprovechar semejante grupo entre los que destaca una Mística queriendo sacar su lado más maternal (y cercano con cierto miembro X clásico), el Cable totalmente asentado en el presente de los X-Men y un par de Mujeres-X de poderes psi y tecnopátas que se enrolan con grandes instintos agresivos hacia una de las tantas amenazas que se van a suceder. Y es cierto que el autor se esmera en otorgar a esta formación de guerrilla unas aventuras de un nivel mayúsculo para cualquier formación de Hijos del Átomo por muy pro que sean. Ya solo ese primer grupo maléfico de , resultan algo más que un recurso argumental hueco para dar arranque a la etapa. Pero el interés en que los personajes estén a la gresca lo más pronto posible lleva que el conjunto no epate apenas como lectura de evasión. Se suceden enemigos como un personaje ligado a Pícara que al final parece que se utiliza para forzar más su arco dramático de la época. O esa amenaza de infestación que se despacha sin ninguna gracia ni acierto. Y entre medias, apenas atisbamos ese necesario asentamiento de personajes con sus interacciones (orgánicas y no ligadas a avanzar la trama grandilocuente). Así pasa sin pena ni gloria el recuperar a un par de personajes clásicos perdidos hasta el momento o cierto romance X que sí que sé que en el futuro de la colección tendrá toda la relevancia posible. Pero que no se ha presentado de otra forma que la mínima necesaria para que ya a posteriori se pueda aprovechar.
El lado gráfico está ligado a esta identidad de "blockbuster comiquero". Aunque es cierto que el estilo del dibujante que más define el conjunto, Chris Bachalo, es algo más particular que los artistas de la plantilla Marvelita de la época más "cumplidores" de cara a la galería de plasmar la acción del poderío mutante. Se entiende muy bien que Humberto Ramos venga de refresco a conformar el dúo artístico. Llevando su estilo "amerimanga" a potenciar todo diseño de personaje y enfoque de la acción a un reclamo más llamativamente comercial.
Desde luego, es cierto que de querer "apagar el cerebro" con un cómic de los X-Men, Supernovas es una estupenda elección. Pero si buscas algo más con estos personajes, quedará muy a deber.
El lado gráfico está ligado a esta identidad de "blockbuster comiquero". Aunque es cierto que el estilo del dibujante que más define el conjunto, Chris Bachalo, es algo más particular que los artistas de la plantilla Marvelita de la época más "cumplidores" de cara a la galería de plasmar la acción del poderío mutante. Se entiende muy bien que Humberto Ramos venga de refresco a conformar el dúo artístico. Llevando su estilo "amerimanga" a potenciar todo diseño de personaje y enfoque de la acción a un reclamo más llamativamente comercial.
Desde luego, es cierto que de querer "apagar el cerebro" con un cómic de los X-Men, Supernovas es una estupenda elección. Pero si buscas algo más con estos personajes, quedará muy a deber.
March 16, 2024
So, I have had this sitting on my shelf for ages (never read it!) and I was in the mood for some mutants so I grabbed it. And it was really fun although a little bit convoluted.
I know that this was a breath of fresh air buck in the day after some of the worst runs ever so the contrast was probably a huge factor then. Reading it now it's good and fun but not (yet) so awesome.
I love Chris Bachalo and his art is beautiful, but he was in his bad narration period here, it's really hard to understand what is going on and where everyone is. Really confusing storytelling, peaking on the last arc where nothing makes sense, it's just a muddy thing doing things and suddenly it stops. That didn't age well (unlike Wolverine and the X-men, he is at the top of his game there). Humberto Ramos is way better at the storytelling department, if only 3 issues.
The stories are fun, with interesting character development and the first (I think) mutant "black ops" team that will continue to exist one way or the other in the future. But it's SO tied to the continuity of that time that a lot of things don't make sense. A lot of backstory going on that had his impact at the time but out of context has no strength. And the challenges are one more earth shattering than the next, cosmic, huge, mind blowing, etc etc which is tiresome. But it has some cool character developments into it (with Rogue up there) so it balances out.
I have a couple more trades that come after this one that I never read that I'll give it a try. We'll see how it goes!
I know that this was a breath of fresh air buck in the day after some of the worst runs ever so the contrast was probably a huge factor then. Reading it now it's good and fun but not (yet) so awesome.
I love Chris Bachalo and his art is beautiful, but he was in his bad narration period here, it's really hard to understand what is going on and where everyone is. Really confusing storytelling, peaking on the last arc where nothing makes sense, it's just a muddy thing doing things and suddenly it stops. That didn't age well (unlike Wolverine and the X-men, he is at the top of his game there). Humberto Ramos is way better at the storytelling department, if only 3 issues.
The stories are fun, with interesting character development and the first (I think) mutant "black ops" team that will continue to exist one way or the other in the future. But it's SO tied to the continuity of that time that a lot of things don't make sense. A lot of backstory going on that had his impact at the time but out of context has no strength. And the challenges are one more earth shattering than the next, cosmic, huge, mind blowing, etc etc which is tiresome. But it has some cool character developments into it (with Rogue up there) so it balances out.
I have a couple more trades that come after this one that I never read that I'll give it a try. We'll see how it goes!
February 10, 2018
Continuing the great x-read of 2017/18...
This one is a mixed bag in a lot of ways and there are quite a few negative things that I can say about it (too much going on, too many characters, some rather basic plots, too much fighting versus characterization...) and so four stars may be a bit high to rate it.
But... what I love, I love. The art (Oh, I love Bachalo so much) is fun and clean. The mixture of characters on the team is perfect and leads to some interesting tests of character. (Cable, Cannonball, and Rogue are particular favorites but I am really digging Lady Mastermind so far and Mystique works so well here even if her odd romance with Iceman does not...) Rogue, in particular, really shines in this series. She is given so much to do and to work through and I just love how she is handled.
Overall, yeah... It should probably be a three star rating rather than four, but I really enjoyed it. I found it to be a whole lot more fun than some of the other volumes that I've read so it gets that extra star from me.
This one is a mixed bag in a lot of ways and there are quite a few negative things that I can say about it (too much going on, too many characters, some rather basic plots, too much fighting versus characterization...) and so four stars may be a bit high to rate it.
But... what I love, I love. The art (Oh, I love Bachalo so much) is fun and clean. The mixture of characters on the team is perfect and leads to some interesting tests of character. (Cable, Cannonball, and Rogue are particular favorites but I am really digging Lady Mastermind so far and Mystique works so well here even if her odd romance with Iceman does not...) Rogue, in particular, really shines in this series. She is given so much to do and to work through and I just love how she is handled.
Overall, yeah... It should probably be a three star rating rather than four, but I really enjoyed it. I found it to be a whole lot more fun than some of the other volumes that I've read so it gets that extra star from me.
February 6, 2022
Mike Carey's X-Men run isn't talked about much, but this was really good! It's a collection of 3 story arcs focusing around a task force of sorts given to Rogue, including Cable, Iceman, Mystique, Lady Mastermind, Omega Sentinel and...Sabretooth? All arcs deal with a threat that's sci-fi in nature, each with interesting twists. The first deals with a hyperbolic time chamber and evolution, the second with a viral infection courtesy of Pandemic, and the third is a cosmic dreamcatcher. The "Supernovas" arc is the best imo, but the second and third are quality as well. Chris Bachalo does most of the book, and though sometimes his art can be too muddy, it can really look uniquely good too. There's a thin throughline connecting the stories outside of the team itself, but for the most part, this is a collection of 3 very well penned X-Men stories with good art to boot. I would recommend to any X-Fan, especially Rogue enthusiasts.
November 18, 2017
Not a bad collection of X-Men comics, but not particularly great. Mike Carey is a good writer, and he tells a few interesting stories here. And I'm a big fan of Chris Bachalo, so I enjoyed the issues that he worked on.
Overall, though, there's not much done with the characters; it's mostly action. There's the beginnings of some potentially interesting stuff with Mystique, but, by the end of the volume, it still hasn't really gone anywhere. And there's a lot of potential with a couple of the newer characters, but again, nothing much really comes of it. I wish there could have been a few slower-paced issues in here to flesh out the characters a bit.
Overall, though, there's not much done with the characters; it's mostly action. There's the beginnings of some potentially interesting stuff with Mystique, but, by the end of the volume, it still hasn't really gone anywhere. And there's a lot of potential with a couple of the newer characters, but again, nothing much really comes of it. I wish there could have been a few slower-paced issues in here to flesh out the characters a bit.
February 23, 2023
Amazing that this run doesn’t get talked about by comics fans in the same breath as Morrison’s or Whedon’s. At a time when editorial really was trying to push people towards the Avengers, Mike Carey was quietly writing some of the best X-comics of the ‘00s. I personally do not love all of the art in this book, but Bachalo’s work in particular rises above and is the perfect balance of weird and dynamic, a great fit for the x-men.
May 31, 2024
This was long and pretty awesome. I'm farther along in the Marvel timeline, but I collect anything Bachalo does art for and hadn't read this before, so I picked it up. The Ramos art was also a bonus.
The whole time there was a sense of doom. These super powerful being that are here to destroy the Earth or kill everyone or both. Then you've got tension between Rogue and Mystique and then a different kind of tension between Ice Man and Mystique. Sabretooh was great too.
The whole time there was a sense of doom. These super powerful being that are here to destroy the Earth or kill everyone or both. Then you've got tension between Rogue and Mystique and then a different kind of tension between Ice Man and Mystique. Sabretooh was great too.
January 17, 2019
I started reading Carey's run with X-Men: Messiah CompleX, but since I've been reading everything Cable, this came up in the list. And it is good. Really good. Not just Carey's writing, but also Chris Bachalo and Humberto Ramos' art. The Hectatomb was some crazy art that really worked well for the chaos happening. And great comic book stories too. It was big, crazy, and fantastic superhero work.
April 15, 2020
Mike Carey comin’ in hot! I loved this book. Bachalo’s artwork is so pleasing. The roster! I love how Cyclops and Wolverine aren’t in this book much. I love them, don’t get me wrong, but man! Cannonball! Mystique! Rogue! Lady Mastermind! Cable! Sentinel Prime! Sabretooth! Aurora and Northstar! The villains were all engaging and interesting. The threats seemed dire. Oof! This was a fun read!
September 8, 2024
This was a re-read and in
my opinion, Mike Carey
told a great story which
has been lacking for
quite a few years now
at Marvel. Intrigue,
battle action, mystery,
personal effects, this
one has it all.
(This is for XMen comics
Numbers 188- 199).
my opinion, Mike Carey
told a great story which
has been lacking for
quite a few years now
at Marvel. Intrigue,
battle action, mystery,
personal effects, this
one has it all.
(This is for XMen comics
Numbers 188- 199).
November 7, 2020
Hi my name is Rouge and I made a team that's clearly X-Force but for some reason I'm not calling it that.
July 1, 2021
Definitely one of the better modern arcs. This gave me so much more appreciation and respect for Rogue. Probably my #1 pre-Morrison X-men arcs. Yes, it’s even better than AoA.
June 24, 2023
I’ve come to terms with the fact that I’m an outlier on that I hate Chris Bachalo art. The art after his stuff in this volume (the 2nd half) is even worse. It’s too bad, because the writing is ok.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews