X-23: Target X #6

X-23: Target X #6
By now, it's no secret that I've enjoyed this miniseries. A lot.

The first thing that strikes me about this issue, however, is the fact that its recap page completely discounts the revelations Wolverine had in the aftermath of "M Day". The recap page actually says that Wolverine has no memory of his life at Weapon X!!! Now either that's an indication of exactly how long ago this series was written (which would explain how every issue managed to be published on time), or the writers and editorial staff on this book aren't aware of the current developments in Wolverine's life. And that's okay. After all, the only book so far to have made any use of Wolverine regaining his memories is Wolverine: Origins. And that book moves so very slowly that if you weren't aware of the fact before reading it, doing so won't enlighten you as to that point whatsoever. It hasn't exactly provided us with many insights into Wolverine's past of which we weren't already aware. The rest of Wolverine's titles haven't made very much reference to him remembering his past, so why should others be expected to remember? Still, sloppy.

The rest of the issue raises additional questions as to where it fits in continuity-wise. Especially since the issue ends with Cap sending X to the mansion to meet up with Logan again, yet we all know that she didn't make it there for quite some time. First she found time to become a prostitute. And then, when she first met up with the X-Men in Uncanny, Logan acted as if they hadn't ever met before. [Edit: Okay, so I'm wrong on that last point. But it was so goshdarned long ago, that who can really remember it clearly?]

The fight sequence which is supposed to be the focal point of this book seems out of place as well. The rest of the series has not focused on long drawn-out fight scenes, instead showing how quickly Laura is able to disable any opponent. Of course, I understand that the point here is to show just how similar she is to Wolverine, in every way, but the pacing suffers for it. Not only that, but Wolverine seems to have a disappearing third claw throughout the fight, and Laura is posed, with her toe claws extended, in such a way that she shouldn't be able to walk, let alone run. Also, after the battle, it's apparent that Laura has been (slightly) injured, but none of the panels show anything resembling that. So apparently she did it to herself?
Probably the major issue I have with this scene comes down to the art. The art in this mini has bean beautiful throughout, with attention being taken to not sexualize Laura, regardless of how she dressed. Her poses seemed natural, and her proportions seemed human. But there haven't really been any extended action sequences in this book. And apparently, the art breaks down when Choi and Oback attempt to render them. Still quite beautiful, but the details are offputting, to say the least.

I'm not quite clear on the point of this book's ending, either. Cap acts like there's no grey area as far as the law is concerned, whereas we've seen him act otherwise many times in other books. Cap apparently removes her from Matt Murdock's presence without Matt making any more than a verbal protest. Then, Cap drives Laura to DC for 12 hours (instead of getting a SHIELD 'copter to retrieve them), and only after arriving at SHIELD does he reconsider and takes her to a bus station instead. Well, at that point, why didn't he just drive her back to New York? Or put her on a plane? And then what's the point of the scene with the little boy on the bus at the end?

I'd like to give this issue a higher rating, but EH is as much as I can do. It's been a wonderful series. But with this last issue being what it is, I'd have preferred it to end after the last one.

Books arriving 5/31

Blue Beetle #15 - I thought that this title would flop after Giffen left the book. It hasn't. In fact, it's gotten even better.

Countdown #48 - If you read my last posting on this title, you'll realize just how much I am already disliking it. I may glance at it, but only so that I don't get left behind.

Dark Xena #2 - Last issue was actually OKAY, beginning immediately following the series finale and tying in the legend of Xena with Lovecraftian gods in a way that didn't immediately turn me off, so I'm looking forward to where it goes from here.

Fallen Angel #16 - Will this be the issue? The one where we find out that Lee's predecessor was, indeed, Supergirl? Probably not, since PAD didn't actually own that character. But he'll come as close as he can to saying so without actually saying so.

Green Lantern #20 - Yeah, this is gonna suck. Except for the backup feature. That should be worthwhile.

Hawkgirl #64 - Not reading this. Really not interested.

Hellboy: Darkness Calls #2 - Wait for the trade.

Justice Society of America #6 - Do you think Scipio's right about where this story is heading? I think he just might be.
The JSA portions of this story are turning out to be ten times better than the JLA portions. So this book will probably be a good read, and will hopefully give us some answers regarding the status of the classic Legionnaires with regard to current continuity.

New Avengers: Illuminati #3 - I read the rerelease of the first two books, and it wasn't quite as bad as I had feared. Merely EH, though, as I still couldn't care less. Retcon shmetcon.

Shaolin Cowboy#7 - An actual issue of this? Wow!

Silver Surfer: Requiem #1 - Hmmmm. Obviously intended to tie in to the upcoming film, but bearing in mind that the most recent Surfer material hasn't sucked (I'm obviously not talking about the ongoing series from a few years ago) it might be worth a look.

Spider-Man: Fairy Tales #1 - ??? Really? After the colossal stupidity that was X-Men fairy tales, Marvel's going to saddle us with more of this CRAP? No, thank you.

Teen Titans #47 - Back to basics, I hope. And future issues have Blue Beetle joining! Though how they're going to pull that off after he rejected Oracle's invitation to join the Birds of Prey is something I haven't yet been quite able to puzzle out.

Ultimate Fantastic Four #42 - What does it say about this title that I actually enjoyed Millar's run on it more? That I wish he were back on this title? Especially since I hate his guts? Ugh.

Wolverine #54 - Uh, yeah, not interested, sorry. Last issue was just such a colossal mess (which was actually the only reason I read it, heh) that this storyline can't be forgotten quickly enough.

X-23: Target X #6 - This wonderful miniseries comes to a close. Beautiful art coupled with great storytelling. I just hope that the series truly has an end. Not merely a finish. If you know what I mean.

X-23: Target X #5

X-23: Target X #5
Again, with the unexpected plot development. Kyle and Yost have created a fantastic miniseries here, and have made each issue relatively complete in its own right. Very well done. My only quibbles are that when Laura tells her family that they have three minutes to get out of the house, the art doesn't make it feel as if three minutes have actually passed. Also, how in the world did Laura manage to get the cuffs on Kimura? And what's with Kimura's Power Girl look? Otherwise, this issue is VERY GOOD.

X-23: Target X #4

X-23: Target X #4
After last month's cliffhanger that many people didn't believe to be a cliffhanger, the book takes a decidedly unexpected turn, as Laura doesn't end up killing her family, because Megan gets her mother in the shower and washes the trigger scent off of them. Brilliant. I didn't see that coming at all. Yost and Kyle led us to believe that "X" killed her family. Apparently she saved them. Very nicely done, gentlemen.
Also, in this issue, Kimura is "introduced". Actually, she first appeared three months ago, but since Yost and Kyle have written X-23 since the X-23 miniseries in 2005 (and, in fact, Kyle gets creator credit for the character), it's likely that Kimura's role in Laura's upbringing has been planned for quite some time, and therefore her inclusion in this issue doesn't seem like a retcon or anything, but feels quite natural. (In fact, X-23's origin series was well underway by the time that Joe Quesada finally got around to finishing NYX in which she first appeared.)
Has the art changed a bit? I see that the same artists are working on it, but for some reason it seems less polished than before. It still looks great, though.
VERY GOOD.

X-23: Target X #3

X-23: Target X #3
Another VERY GOOD issue of this series, with drop dead gorgeous artwork. In fact, it's the artwork that elevates it to its current status from a high OKAY or low GOOD. But this is essentially a middle issue. Which is fine. But nothing much happens. The setup is completed for X-23 to murder her aunt and cousin. The last three pages had me rushing through. The final page had me sick to my stomach. But that's precisely the intended reaction, so it deserves the VERY GOOD rating.
Of particular note is the extremely poignant scene wherein Laura sees Wolverine's image on TV for the first time - which is placed precisely at the beginning of the Academy X storyline, when Charles Xavier revealed publicly that he was a mutant and that the Westchester Academy was, in fact, a training academy for mutants.

X-23: Target X #2

X-23: Target X #2
VERY GOOD. I don't often read minis until they're finished, or close to it, but the art drew me in on this one, and the wit has kept me reading. Very VERY GOOD. I actually even laughed at the scene where X-23 gives a dissertation to her French teacher about the best methods for information retrieval. (Also, I REALLY like her outfit.)