X-Men Endangered Species #1

Marvel Comics
X-Men Endangered Species #1
By Hervé St-Louis
August 27, 2007 - 00:46

Marvel Comics
Writer(s): Mike Carey
Penciller(s): Scot Eaton
Inker(s): John Dell

A young mutant boy has died, and the X-Men and other luminaries are there to pay their respects to the boy. But are political objectives the real reasons that the X-Men are there to honour a fellow mutant, or is it because of something else. Who can gain from this death? A few years ago, the mutant woman known as the Scarlet Witch removes the mutant genes from the majority of the world’s mutants, leaving but a token in place. This issue looks at what it feels to be an endangered species, with too little numbers to reproduce and ensure that mutants will have a future. Is the end near for the mutants of the world?

This issue takes the concept of the Endangered Species storyline to another level instead of the fantastic. It shows the emotional effect each dying mutant has on those left behind. Don’t expect any fight, well, all right, there is a brief skirmish, in the tradition of heroes who don’t understand each others. It’s a smart story, the type I wish Marvel Comics would publish more often when related to the X-Men. It’s something one could have expected Brian Bendis to write.

Although interesting the artwork is not always consistent. For example, several young girls look like middle age women. If it were not for their odd skin colours, several characters would not be recognizable. Still, the storytelling is good, although one can tell that Eaton is probably more comfortable drawing super heroes, than people in suits, mourning.