Post by brentlambert on Jan 19, 2010 14:26:11 GMT -5
New X-Men 2009: YEAR IN REVIEW
(#1-2)
The Cast: Anole, Network, Decibel, Pixie, Speed, Loa, Elixir, Rockslide, Hardball, Stepford Cuckoos, Mercury, and Surge
Antagonists Faced: The Pusher Man and various thugs
Stand-Out Character: Loa
Best Moment: Cable confusing Rachel as to the true purpose of the New X-Men team.
It is obvious that JD really has a love for the characters he's using here. Even in the most awful writing, you can still pick up on whether the writer loves what he's doing. Enthusiasm can't be faked and that's not to say that NEW X-MEN is awful writing. Far from it, but it helps to know that genuine enthusiasm is there. I know that I have probably said this in the past, but I loved how JD introduced the characters in the series. It was clear, concise, and straight to the point without being overly cutesy. I also liked how fast that JD addressed one of my main concerns with the title when it initially started and that was how The New X-Men were able to exist without the main X team knowing.
I feel like with the large cast that JD is building up he is going to have to slow down and spread out his screen time a little more evenly. Right now things feel a bit lopsided in the favor of Speed and Loa. I know that the bigger the cast the harder it is to spread out the time on page, but that is the balancing act of team books. I would suggest a sort of cycling process with the kids. Focus on whoever you're going to and then try to bring some spotlight on the person who received the least amount of action. And maybe with that you'll be able to get to all the characters in the series.
I definitely feel like there needs to be some more classroom time and some teenage drama in the mix for this title. I respect that JD is treating these kids and this title with the same dignity someone would a main X team, but we shouldn't lose sight of the fact that they're supposed to be young people. So let's bring that a bit more into the limelight. And definitely some more teacher/student interaction could help with that. I think unusual pairings might be the way to go as well. What could Emma have to teach someone like Loa or Colossus have to teach Anole?
(#1-2)
The Cast: Anole, Network, Decibel, Pixie, Speed, Loa, Elixir, Rockslide, Hardball, Stepford Cuckoos, Mercury, and Surge
Antagonists Faced: The Pusher Man and various thugs
Stand-Out Character: Loa
Best Moment: Cable confusing Rachel as to the true purpose of the New X-Men team.
It is obvious that JD really has a love for the characters he's using here. Even in the most awful writing, you can still pick up on whether the writer loves what he's doing. Enthusiasm can't be faked and that's not to say that NEW X-MEN is awful writing. Far from it, but it helps to know that genuine enthusiasm is there. I know that I have probably said this in the past, but I loved how JD introduced the characters in the series. It was clear, concise, and straight to the point without being overly cutesy. I also liked how fast that JD addressed one of my main concerns with the title when it initially started and that was how The New X-Men were able to exist without the main X team knowing.
I feel like with the large cast that JD is building up he is going to have to slow down and spread out his screen time a little more evenly. Right now things feel a bit lopsided in the favor of Speed and Loa. I know that the bigger the cast the harder it is to spread out the time on page, but that is the balancing act of team books. I would suggest a sort of cycling process with the kids. Focus on whoever you're going to and then try to bring some spotlight on the person who received the least amount of action. And maybe with that you'll be able to get to all the characters in the series.
I definitely feel like there needs to be some more classroom time and some teenage drama in the mix for this title. I respect that JD is treating these kids and this title with the same dignity someone would a main X team, but we shouldn't lose sight of the fact that they're supposed to be young people. So let's bring that a bit more into the limelight. And definitely some more teacher/student interaction could help with that. I think unusual pairings might be the way to go as well. What could Emma have to teach someone like Loa or Colossus have to teach Anole?