So I finished Joss Whedon’s Astonishing X-Men series yesterday. This was only my second X-Men graphic novel after the Dark Phoenix Saga, and I’m reminded that even though I love Batman, and his graphic novels are my favorite, I really really freaking love X-Men too. Always have. From the 90′s cartoon, to the movies, to the video games, they just kick serious amounts of ass.
Now combine that with my love of Joss Whedon and I’m in heaven. Seriously, this was an amazing series! Granted I don’t know much about X-Men from the graphic novels, but I was really impressed with what he did with Kitty Pryde. It was almost like having Buffy back in my life. Even with the bit characters like Armor, Whedon handles female characters in a way that Hollywood just can’t seem to get right.
Not to say that he doesn’t do his male characters justice, because he most certainly does. I loved the continuing beer gags with Wolverine, and his eventual relationship with Armor. And Beast had me snickering on the train like a crazy person. Particularly when him and his frenemy Agent Brand got caught in a blizzard and he said:
You’re amoral, you’re abrasive, and right now you’re looking at me like I’m a Taun-Taun.
The story begins with a “cure” for the mutant gene (a story that was then semi-used for the X-Men: The Last Stand movie) and eventually evolves into a story putting the entire world in danger. I often forget how much X-Men skews into science fiction territory, but I like it. It’s a nice change of pace from the realer, grittier Batman graphic novels I usually read.
So yeah, there’s not much else to tell. The series is full of twists and turns (the Danger storyline was great fun) with great revelations (“I object!”) and loads of Whedon wit (see above). It makes me want to read more X-Men. I have the first volume of the Grant Morrison New X-Men series I can start. Does anyone else have any other recommendations?
