REVIEW: X-Men Misfits vol. 1 by Raina Telgemeier and Dave Roman Illustrated by Anzu

X-Men Misfits vol. 1 by Raina Telgemeier and Dave Roman Illustrated by Anzu
Publishing information: Paperback; 192 pages
Publisher: Del Ray; 11 August 2009
ISBN 10: 034550514X
ISBN 13: 978-0345505149
Series Volume 1
Reviewer: Tyson

Back of the Book "THE X-MEN GET A RADICAL NEW REMIX IN A STORY ABOUT TEEN ANGST, FIRST LOVE, AND WHAT IT’S LIKE TO BE ON THE OUTSIDE LOOKING IN

High school student Kitty Pryde has always been the odd girl out. A mutant, she was born with strange superpowers, magical talents that make her the class freak. But Kitty’s world is changed when she’s invited to study at Professor Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters, a special home for mutant teens. There’s just one catch: Kitty’s the only girl at the all-boy school, and she ends up just feeling like a freak all over again.

Then Kitty meets Pyro and the ultra-hot bad boys of the Hellfire Club. They’re the school’s elite–handsome, rich, and totally above the rules. Now Kitty seems to have it all: a dreamy boyfriend, super-cool friends, and the chance to develop her extraordinary talents. But why is her heart telling her that something is wrong? Will Kitty ever find the place where she belongs, or is she doomed to be a misfit forever?"

The book seemed to be targeted for girls or at least this particular book was as Kitty Pryde is a outcast at her school when she is asked to come to a private school for people like her. She accepts the offer and learns she is the only girl enrolled which seemed to me to be trying to hit the Twilight fans as that seemed right out of Stephanie Meyer's personal playbook. X-Men Misfits is a reboot on the popular Marvel franchise and for me it did not do it for me. When I reviewed the rebooted Wolverine, I liked it. X-men Misfits just failed to hit the mark.

Some of that may have to do with the fact that the book focused it on Kitty Pryde AKA Shadowcat. She was such a minor character back when I read the comics that I had difficulty getting into this one. While I had several issues with this reboot I will only focus on a few. The second issue I had was that the book had Scott Summers/Cyclops as a student and his wife Jean Grey and Ororo Munroe/Storm as professors which really confused me and the timeline I had already set in my mind. The third issue I had was that Eric Lehnsherr/Magneto was in charge of an elite group of mutants at Xavier's School for the Gifted called Hellfire Club and that the they students in that group had free reign of the school. I would have thought that Professor X would have knowledge of the group and put a stop to it but it was never brought up.

X-Men Misfits does have a lot of potential as there are plenty of characters that can be introduced or brought in as a cameo. However, I have no plans to continue with this particular series.

The artwork is the real gem in X-Men Misfits. It is done in the anime style and should bring more fans to the world of the X-Men. It may take some getting use to as some panels have some serious humor ejected into them which is not common in traditional American comics. It was my first encounter with Anzu and I have to say that I like what I saw. It was the books only saving grace.

Plot 6
Characterization 7
Style 5

Overall 5/10

REVIEW: Wolverine Prodigal Son Vol 1 written by Antony Johnston art by Wilson Tortosa

Wolverine Prodigal Son Vol. 1 written by Antony Johnston art by Wilson Tortosa
Publishing Information: Paperback; 192 pages
Publisher: Del Ray 7 April 2009
ISBN 10: 0345505166
ISBN 13: 978-0345505163
Number 1 in a Manga series
Copy: out of pocket
Reviewer: Tyson

Back of the Book "The gripping, all-new adventure of the x-men's greatest icon, comletely reimagined in the Manga style

This is not the Wolverine you know.

Logan is a teenage rebel with a real good reason for having a real bad attitude. Ever since being left in a nearby forest–with no memory of who he was or how he got there–Logan (or Wolverine, as his classmates sometimes call him) has been stuck in a martial arts school in the icy wilds of Canada. No wonder he’s bored, restless, yearning. There’s a whole world out there, and Logan can almost taste it. But he’s chained to a past he can’t remember and can’t escape. Now it just may destroy his future."

When I found this comic in the bookstore I had to check it out. I have heard rumors about a Manga Spider-Man but have yet to find it but Wolverine has always been a favorite of mine. In this series opener we have a re-imagined Logan/Wolverine.

He is a teenager who was found outside a dojo with a Wolverine standing over him, which is how he received his nickname. He has his healing factor, is adept at martial arts, and has no memory of his past. The anchors that make Wolverine what he is are still there. 

The story is slightly different. Logan has found a home at the dojo and excels at his training but the master is not Japanese nor are any of his friends. He knows that something is wrong and that he is different from the rest of his peers. While the book is divided into smaller sections as all Manga does they are easy to read and I found them to be a quick read.

The art work is top notch. The characters have a Manga feel to them but still manage to retain the "Wolverine" feel while successfully giving him a youthful appearance. The action and supporting characters are drawn well and I really found Tortosa's look appealing. I would like to see his take on a lot of other Marvel and DC characters.

Overall, Wolverine Prodigal Son is a nice change of pace from the normal Wolverine stories. An updated origins story that does its best to stay true to its roots while giving it a fresh new approach that I found to be bold without upsetting the die-hard fans. The Manga look helps carry this transition. I think that anyone who would like to give the Manga type books a shot and want something they are familiar with will really enjoy the series and I will be on the look out for book two when and if it becomes available in my area. Book 2 was published on 31 March 2010.

Plot  9

Characters  8.5

Style  10

Overall  9/10