Review: ALL-NEW X-MEN #25

ALL NEW X-MEN #25
Written by Brian Michael Bendis
Art by David Marquez & Various
Published by Marvel Comics
Release Date: April 9th, 2014

ANXMEN2012025_DC11jpg_Page1All New X-Men reaches its 25th issue, and when a book hits 25 it usually means readers can expect an anniversary issue. After all, comic book companies are always looking for an excuse to tell an extra sized tale, and tack on an extra dollar to the cover price. There is no exception here, as Brian Michael Bendis uses the occasion to tell a giant sized one off story featuring one of the best artistic lineups to ever be assembled for a single comic book issue.

All New X-Men #25 is a strange issue, and an even more difficult one to review. Bendis takes a step back to focus on Beast, and his decision to bring the Original X-Men into the present. After 25 issues of mayhem it is nice to go back to the decision that was the impetus for the entire book, and look at the impact it had. Time travel has obviously played an important role in the series, and Bendis chooses to look at the impact that all of it has had on the Space/Time Continuum. Once again, this is something that has been building through the title from the beginning, and through the Battle of the Atom crossover into the present. It is nice to see the consequences considered, and Hank struggling with what he has done. A special, soon to be dead, guest star shows Hank the results of his actions by letting him see a number of the different universes affected by the decision to bring the Original Five into the present. This framing sequence drawn by semi regular artist David Marquez is a cool way to fit all of the guest artists in, as each artist is used to look into a different parallel universe. The problem with this story is that it feels like complete filler. It may look back at the consequences of Beast’s decision, but looking back is all it does. There is no real sense of forward movement at all in the issue, and that can be a problem when the book is $4.99. Another weird aspect of the issue that threw me off were the inclusion of the indie style comedic pages in the middle of the book. They were all well done, but they felt extremely out of place, and undercut the serious moments. When the story stays serious it does touch on some important thematic points, but overall it seems to be a shell meant to showcase the wonderful art.

What stands out immediately, and is the big selling point, is the stellar roster of artists working on the book. On top of David Marquez, Bendis also gets to work with an all-star group of creators that includes such names as Bruce Timm, Art Adams, David Mack, Skottie Young, J. Scott Campbell, J.G. Jones, Paul Smith, Lee Bermejo, and several others. The art is outstanding, as one has to expect from a group like that. While I won’t go through each one, know that there is seriously not one bad looking page in this issue. In fact, it is safe to say that every single page range from extremely good to amazing. A few of the standouts include Bruce Timm’s look at Jean Grey through the years, J. Scott Campbell’s page set in space, Lee Bermejo’s Colossus, and Skottie Young’s Iceman. Each and every page is a visual feast for the reader’s eyes. Every time you turn the page you will wish that the artist of that page was currently working on a x-book full time. It would be wonderful to see Bruce Timm draw more than just Jean, Bermejo to work on a book like X-Force, or J. Scott Campbell to let loose on an arc of Brian Wood’s X-Men. The only complaint I have is that there are no page numbers listed in the credits, but the creators are listed in order. It just becomes a bit harder to jump back and forth to see who drew the page you just marveled at.

In the end, All New X-Men #25 is a book both hampered and saved by the art. The story itself was structured in a way to showcase the guest artists, but in doing so there was no forward movement in the ongoing story at all. Bendis may touch on some themes he has brought up over the previous 24 issues, but ultimately it isn’t enough to make the issue feel like anything more than filler. With that said, oh what pretty pretty filler it is, as this issue features quite possibly the best collection of artists you will see in a book this year. As a reader you have to ask yourself whether the beautiful art by some of the best in the business can make up for a lackluster story, and extra dollar on the cover price.

The Verdict: 8.0/10

Related posts

One Comment;

Top