Review: X-men #4

X-men #4

Two good stories fitting in one satisfying issue. We follow Wolverine and Jubilee as she takes her new baby to Cali her home, filled with memories of her California life and how she came to the X-men while Storm and the rest of the gang have their own issues to deal with as they’re in the X-jet and on a plane rescue mission.

RECAP

Wolverine, Jubes and Shogo are enjoying a Day at the beach, meanwhile “Storm and the X-men” are on the black assisting a commercial aircraft's who’s engine’s on fire but can't land. Storm takes Rachel aside to speak - because she’s having obvious issues with Storm’s seeming exerted leadership- while asking Rogue and Psylocke to come up with a plan to save the aircraft. Rachel still very much disagrees with Storm’s decision on their last mission to sacrifice Karima. Storm stands by her decision (I support her too lol). “Who died and made you leader of the X-men? Here’s a hint : It’s not Karima Shapandar”.

Jubilee and Wolverine visit her old home. Now for sale wolverine offers to buy it. She declines. Then they go for lunch in the very mall Jubilee first encountered the X-men.

The X-men begin executing their plan to same the commercial plane which involves TK grapple hooks and power sharing between Psylocke and Rogue. Storm continues her passive aggressive discourse with Rachel while Rogue goes prodigal with Psylocke’s powers. By the time they’re done plane saving Psylocke cuts Rogue off sending her sailing from the jet, luckily skydiving Storm is able to catch her in time (and the team dynamic drama continues).

WHAT I LIKED ?

There’s too much that I liked and too little that I didn't like about this issue (as opposed to Wood’s work over in the UCXM title).

As someone who isn't too familiar with the comic version of Jubilee I could appreciate the nostalgic glimpse into her and how she has grown since then to be who she is today - when i started reading comics Jubilee wasn’t in any of the titles I read till the whole depowering thing… even then I never read much about her.

The exploration of the team dynamic over on the rescue mission side of the story was rather intriguing as we begin to see how this team functions together, both the pitfalls and the strong points. Rachel still has a big problem with storm asserting her leadership, especially since the last issue where Storm almost ordered Karima’s death. She get’s pretty self righteous about it and declared that it’s an issue she won't let go. Rogue after being inconsiderate in using Psylocke’s TK gets cut off and with no powers to secure her is flung from the plane. I mean, Psylocke must have known that Storm or Rachel would have saved her… right?

I can see that trust is going to be one of the future challenges this team will have as they continue to work together. Will Rachel trust and give into Storm’s leadership? How is Psylocke and Rogue gonna get along after this? And it looks like Kitty is about to become the middleman.

I have to mentioned that I continue to love the art in this title. The depictions of Each character’s racially distinct appearance is excellent – Storm is HOT and Shogo utterly adorable. The artist does a good job of capturing expressions and Portraying mood (expect for that one panel where I wasn’t certain if Psylocke was rolling her eyes, about to faint, or both lol).

WHAT DIDN’T I LIKE ?

Rachel’s heavy eye shadow; she need to go easy on that.

I’m really hoping the title picks up a little more though, especially during and after the Battle of the Atom crossover. I’m not the biggest fan of Wood’s pacing, but it has been sufficiently appropriate thus par with this title. I’ve been enjoying it. Here’s to hoping for more good issues.

I give it a 7.8