Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews
X-Men Legacy #212
Marvel Comics
Carey, Eaton & Deodato
I do believe I am finally piecing together this title’s direction. This issue was as strong as the others, but with more of a dovetail on the horizon. It had a faster pace to it as well. It also has a clearer direction for Xavier. The art has always been outstanding, but now with the story starting to pick up, this title is becoming a very strong one overall. It is also proof that you don’t need a ton of mutants to have an interesting story.
This issue begins with the arrival of Gambit to “save” Xavier. The battle scene is a nice way to show off the art and start the issue off with a bang. This scene didn’t even need a ton of card throwing, which was nice.
Since Xavier can’t remember anything about Gambit, he immediately probes his memories. This sequence is excellent for a couple of reasons. First of all, the interaction between Gambit and Xavier isn’t exactly a well known dynamic, so this is a welcome reset for them. Secondly, the shift in tone from the flashback to the present is extremely noticeable and it gives the reader the ability to see how far each character has strayed from their former selves.
Gambit reveals a list of names up for whacking that Xavier’s name is on. Immediately you have to wonder what Gambit’s agenda is. All of the names on the list have had some role, minor or not, in this series so far, making this a plot tying moment.
Gambit decides to hang out with Xavier and drive him around. While this is going on Xavier has some more flashbacks of his step father and the abuse he gave out to his mother. He also has a bizarre dream sequence that can be interpreted a number of ways. All of this weakens Xavier and, later, when they stop to rest, they are open for an attack and an attack is what they get.
The issue sounds kind of interesting? Maybe you like a little action, a little mystery, a little murder plot? This issue contains all of that, but more importantly, it contains to pull on the X-Men history.
The people that have read this stuff for decades will find nuggets in here that will drum up some old stories. For example, the connections between Sinister and Gambit or Xavier and Sinister are all over the place in this issue and this arc. The nice thing is that a new reader won’t suffer for not knowing this stuff. They will think a nice mutant named Gambit has come along to help out an old and confused man. And for all we know that might be the resolution for this story.
On the other hand, what if Gambit is Sinister? What if Gambit is still towing the line for Sinister? What Gambit is the murderer and the list is his own? This title is hitting the ball out of the park on a number of levels in terms of engaging a wide array of audiences.
The artwork is excellent. The styles we get for the various flashbacks and dream sequences just help enhance the “present” day activities. I don’t think I could possibly enjoy artwork more than what is found in this issue.
So what is this issue missing? Well, for one thing, we get no information on the current day Gambit. What has he been doing since Messiah Complex? Why did Xavier’s mind probe stop after a certain time period? This issue has minor flaws that make the story feel a little bit odd in some spots. These are the kinds of complaints that might get flushed away with subsequent issues.
I keep hearing this book is for the old school, die hard X fans. Yet, I find some of the newer people in the fold loving it too. I find myself more in the middle of the two and I am finally getting into this title’s overall direction. A comic book centered around Xavier, imagine that? Too bad they still haven’t explained how his body disappeared and the X-Men never cared to look into why.
4 out of 5 geek goggles
 X-Men Legacy #212 |
