Rorschach Reviews
Golden Age Review
Rorschachs Journal,May 1975: This city hates me but even more so them...the mutants. Today I tell you there tale when they became legends for the likes of us and filth for the rest of them. Today I tell you the tale of the All-New X-men and their Deadly Genesis.
Comic Book: Giant Size X-men
Creative Team: Writer-Len Wein
Penciler-Dave Cockrum
Inker-Dave Cockrum and Peter Iro
Letterer-John Costanza
Colorist-Glynis Wein
Editor-Len Wein
Cover Artist-Gil Kane and Dave Cockrum
Release Date: May 1975
Score: 8/10
Pros: -Believability brought to the racial allusions within X-men comics
-Exciting precursor to Chris Claremont's legendary run
-Cyclops gets characterized as a tough leader compared to his former hesitant self
-Flamboyant costume designs and elegant yet comic book styled anatomies
Cons: -Even though mature compared to their predecessors, the new mutants are easily willing to join a creepy bald psychic in his crusade.
-heavy inking during close-ups, though that was the norm back then so as to produce a cinematic feel
Main Events: Storm, Colossus, Nightcrawler and Thunderbird debut. Wolverine, Banshee, Sunfire, Storm, Colossus, Nightcrawler and Thunderbird join the X-men.
Memorable Quotes: "Hey one-eye...there's something followin' us...well, I'll be jiggered, one-eye...the jap!"-Wolverine (insulting both Cyclops and Sunfire, proving he was a bad-ass with no respect from the start)
"...they're not the only ones with big sharp claws, isn't it?"-Wolverine,facing down giant lobsters
Spoiler!!! "You fool don't you understand?...we came to this island to look for a mutant...but the mutant is the island itself!!!"-Angel reveals the big surprise
This is it. The beginning of the X-men that would lead to a legendary Chris Claremont run which would subsequently cause X-men to become the reigning kings of the sales chart, in turn creating a mega-franchise with countless TV shows, movies and merchandise.
The X-men began in 1961 with the original members; Cyclops, Jean Grey, Beast, Angel and Iceman. After 66 issues sales started to wane and thus from issues 67-93 there were only reprints. The series was cancelled in 1970 until five years later Len Wein and Dave Cockrum brought the X-men back with a bang in Giant Size X-men. Th full X-men publication history can be read here: http://www.thexmensite.com/xmen_history.aspx
The story revolves around the original X-men minus the Beast (now an Avenger) with reserves Havok and Polaris, being trapped on an island called Krakoa. Cyclops escapes and with the help of Professor X and his mutant detector Cerebro, he uses the aid of new mutants to help save his friends.
The story isn't much since the book was to establish a bridge between the old and new X-men. Being the secondary plot in comparison to the primary narrative of introducing the X-men, it is nice to see that the story has a small air of mystery around it with a big shocking reveal. Len Wein provides the prototype for pitch perfect characterization on popular characters such as Storm's caring nature, Colossus's loyalty and protectiveness of friends and most importantly Wolverine and Cyclops budding rivalry.
This allows the reader to get into the book and hence continue onwards to the X-men comic as the characters are each given their own set values, rules and personalities as unlike their predecessors they have joined the X-men as adults. However the negative aspect of this is that the new mutants are easily swayed into aiding Professor Xavier (who let's face it, looks and seems quite creepy!!!) in saving his students and joining his crusade.
As with the X-men, the theme has constantly been to mirror racial conflict with the mutants against humans. This is made more believable with the use of characters from different ethnic backgrounds and races unlike the original X-men who were all prim and proper white teenagers.
The best characterization however comes for Cyclops, he goes from a reluctant and worried leader into one who is tough as nails and demands respect from his team but this is development as he still takes barbs from the likes of Wolverine. This characterization is aptly supported by his look.
Dave Cockrum creates a muscular frame for cyclops with a straight jaw to present a more tough leader like look. His pencils overall are sharp, fluid and dark to present a much more gritty and mature feel to these older X-men. Costume designs are a Cockrum forte and thus it comes as no surprise that the costumes look flamboyant, the color schemes and detailing also fit each X-man's personality and power base. The art design of Krakoa is very murky so as the protagonists are able to stand out, as with the antagonist colors are darker and pencils with the inking provide an organic look (you'll understand this once you read the quotes above or the whole book).
The mutant powers are all different thus the designs for each are unique, but Dave Cockrum also provides them with distinct visuals. Panels to watch out for include Storm using her electricity to charge Polaris's magnetic powers and Havok's circular plasma blasts working in tandem with Cyclops optic blasts to propel the X-men back towards home. The only concern is the excessive inking in close-up scenes which provide boldness yet look overstuffed, this was however the norm back then as it was believed to provide a cinematic feel to the books.
The cover is exciting as well with a wide panel look at the new X-men bursting from the pages in full color. It also in modern day context foreshadows the rise of the X-men as a franchise from that point onwards as they run from the shadows of the past.
I would recommend this book to those interested in reading X-men comics from an earlier starting point. From here onwards the X-men continue from issue 94 written by Chris Claremont. Even without my saying this the Giant Size X-men issue is one of the greatest X-men stories and is a must in any X-men fans collection. It can be found here; http://www.amazon.com/Mavel-Milestone-Edition-Giant-Size-X-Men/dp/B001E3ZMM8
'Nuff Said
Aneesh Raikundalia
Creative Team: Writer-Len Wein
Penciler-Dave Cockrum
Inker-Dave Cockrum and Peter Iro
Letterer-John Costanza
Colorist-Glynis Wein
Editor-Len Wein
Cover Artist-Gil Kane and Dave Cockrum
Release Date: May 1975
Score: 8/10
Pros: -Believability brought to the racial allusions within X-men comics
-Exciting precursor to Chris Claremont's legendary run
-Cyclops gets characterized as a tough leader compared to his former hesitant self
-Flamboyant costume designs and elegant yet comic book styled anatomies
Cons: -Even though mature compared to their predecessors, the new mutants are easily willing to join a creepy bald psychic in his crusade.
-heavy inking during close-ups, though that was the norm back then so as to produce a cinematic feel
Main Events: Storm, Colossus, Nightcrawler and Thunderbird debut. Wolverine, Banshee, Sunfire, Storm, Colossus, Nightcrawler and Thunderbird join the X-men.
Memorable Quotes: "Hey one-eye...there's something followin' us...well, I'll be jiggered, one-eye...the jap!"-Wolverine (insulting both Cyclops and Sunfire, proving he was a bad-ass with no respect from the start)
"...they're not the only ones with big sharp claws, isn't it?"-Wolverine,facing down giant lobsters
Spoiler!!! "You fool don't you understand?...we came to this island to look for a mutant...but the mutant is the island itself!!!"-Angel reveals the big surprise
This is it. The beginning of the X-men that would lead to a legendary Chris Claremont run which would subsequently cause X-men to become the reigning kings of the sales chart, in turn creating a mega-franchise with countless TV shows, movies and merchandise.
The X-men began in 1961 with the original members; Cyclops, Jean Grey, Beast, Angel and Iceman. After 66 issues sales started to wane and thus from issues 67-93 there were only reprints. The series was cancelled in 1970 until five years later Len Wein and Dave Cockrum brought the X-men back with a bang in Giant Size X-men. Th full X-men publication history can be read here: http://www.thexmensite.com/xmen_history.aspx
The story revolves around the original X-men minus the Beast (now an Avenger) with reserves Havok and Polaris, being trapped on an island called Krakoa. Cyclops escapes and with the help of Professor X and his mutant detector Cerebro, he uses the aid of new mutants to help save his friends.
The story isn't much since the book was to establish a bridge between the old and new X-men. Being the secondary plot in comparison to the primary narrative of introducing the X-men, it is nice to see that the story has a small air of mystery around it with a big shocking reveal. Len Wein provides the prototype for pitch perfect characterization on popular characters such as Storm's caring nature, Colossus's loyalty and protectiveness of friends and most importantly Wolverine and Cyclops budding rivalry.
This allows the reader to get into the book and hence continue onwards to the X-men comic as the characters are each given their own set values, rules and personalities as unlike their predecessors they have joined the X-men as adults. However the negative aspect of this is that the new mutants are easily swayed into aiding Professor Xavier (who let's face it, looks and seems quite creepy!!!) in saving his students and joining his crusade.
As with the X-men, the theme has constantly been to mirror racial conflict with the mutants against humans. This is made more believable with the use of characters from different ethnic backgrounds and races unlike the original X-men who were all prim and proper white teenagers.
The best characterization however comes for Cyclops, he goes from a reluctant and worried leader into one who is tough as nails and demands respect from his team but this is development as he still takes barbs from the likes of Wolverine. This characterization is aptly supported by his look.
Dave Cockrum creates a muscular frame for cyclops with a straight jaw to present a more tough leader like look. His pencils overall are sharp, fluid and dark to present a much more gritty and mature feel to these older X-men. Costume designs are a Cockrum forte and thus it comes as no surprise that the costumes look flamboyant, the color schemes and detailing also fit each X-man's personality and power base. The art design of Krakoa is very murky so as the protagonists are able to stand out, as with the antagonist colors are darker and pencils with the inking provide an organic look (you'll understand this once you read the quotes above or the whole book).
The mutant powers are all different thus the designs for each are unique, but Dave Cockrum also provides them with distinct visuals. Panels to watch out for include Storm using her electricity to charge Polaris's magnetic powers and Havok's circular plasma blasts working in tandem with Cyclops optic blasts to propel the X-men back towards home. The only concern is the excessive inking in close-up scenes which provide boldness yet look overstuffed, this was however the norm back then as it was believed to provide a cinematic feel to the books.
The cover is exciting as well with a wide panel look at the new X-men bursting from the pages in full color. It also in modern day context foreshadows the rise of the X-men as a franchise from that point onwards as they run from the shadows of the past.
I would recommend this book to those interested in reading X-men comics from an earlier starting point. From here onwards the X-men continue from issue 94 written by Chris Claremont. Even without my saying this the Giant Size X-men issue is one of the greatest X-men stories and is a must in any X-men fans collection. It can be found here; http://www.amazon.com/Mavel-Milestone-Edition-Giant-Size-X-Men/dp/B001E3ZMM8
'Nuff Said
Aneesh Raikundalia
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