Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews
Spider-Man & The X-Men #1
Marvel Comics
Kalan, Failla & Herring
Spider-Man and the X-Men is a decent read but probably isn't the kind of book that will be on anyone's must-read list. The title alone makes for a head-scratcher as to how Spidey fits in with the mutants. This first issue provides the banter you would expect and establishes the cast. The premise for the book is not solidified but it manages to at least satisfy for this particular issue. The book has potential for the long term and this issue makes strides towards that goal. I recommend checking this out if you are curious as to how Spidey gets in with the X-Men.
Spider-Man is now a professor at the X-Men school. The comic doesn't shy away from the absurdity of the idea and what the X-Men school seems to really be about when it comes to the younger, less experienced students. These types of jokes won't float beyond the first few issues, but it does establish the strange pairing in a humorous way.
The cast is mostly D-list X-Men and it's small, which is a good thing. The cast is basically from the younger student variety. Some have been floating around for a decade or more while others probably are sparsely seen in recent times. Spidey fits in well with this cast but this first issue seems to be more focused on Spidey than any single mutant.
Basically, the book spends part of the time with Spidey trying to sell the idea that he should be with the X-Men. He's hiding the real reason, which is that Wolverine confided in him that there is a mole amidst the mutants. Spidey is basically trying to sniff out the spy. In the meantime, he's trying to get close to them. This leads to some light tension and a field trip gone wrong.
The book is light and a bit on the wacky side. When you flip through the book and realize just how much ground was covered it is an impressive first showing. The cliffhanger is certainly enough to push the comic into interesting directions in the coming issues. The comic is a dense read and probably could have been paced better, though the heavy dialogue allows the reader to get a handle on some of the personalities.
The artwork is fun and lively. At first glance it might be confused for an all ages presentation. It has some exaggerated pencils that are consistent with some of the other Spider-Man artists, such as Ramos. Generally, the book looks and has the attitude of a super-hero book starring Spider-Man.
Spider-Man and the X-Men is a fun read. It has a tight cast that just begins to get explored in this issue. The comic is a lengthy issue in terms of dialogue but does contain some action to try to provide some balance. The cliffhanger certainly will open some doors in issues to come. I recommend checking this out.
3.5 out of 5 Geek Goggles
