ASTONISHING X-MEN #13
In which we learn some truths about Emma Frost, and several sub-plots drop in to say hi.
by Frank PittareseI’m not going to spoil it for anyone, but in this issue we learn something about the already cool Ms. Frost that, to me, makes her even cooler. It explains an irritating bit of continuity from the Grant Morrison run (while unfortunately managing to contradict some things that pre-date and were part of my own editorial run on GENERATION X), but it’s highly interesting, and could lead to some fantastic, superhero soap opera, which historically, has been the X-Men titles' strongest suit.
When we last saw Emma, many months ago, at the end of “Volume 1” of this series, she seemed to be in league with the Hellfire Club, or rather, a new version of the Hellfire Club. That thread is picked up immediately, and we learn some of what her secret connection to that group is—and was. It’s gonna get ugly, people. When the truth gets out? The X-Men will want to kill her.
The rest of the issue is devoted to various sub-plots. Wolverine trains some very young students in the de-powered Danger Room (which doesn’t make it any less dangerous, thanks to Wolvie). Kitty and Peter reconnect, after him being dead and all. And there’s some business involving S.H.I.E.L.D. that doesn’t really have a place in this book and, ultimately, distinterested me. But that’s just two pages, in and out.
The artwork is stunning. John Cassaday was always good, but he seems to be improving by leaps and bounds. I’m glad he’s not being rushed here. With the book’s bi-monthly status, he should have plenty of time to work his craft. And Josh Whedon proves once again that, while not always a master storyteller (as the second half of this book’s previous volume proves, or the final two seasons of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, for that matter), he can write some terrificly effective dialogue. Through the years, I’ve disconnected from most of these characters, but Whedon takes the time to write them as people, reminding me what I like about ’em in the first place.
If you can only read one X-Men title on a regular basis, this is the one to read.
