Review: X-23 v3 Issue 7

There comes a time in every comic run that makes you glad you've been following it. An issue that just stands out from the rest and vinidcates every reason why you read this series and enjoy it.

This issue of X-23 was that for me. It had almost everything I enjoy about comics in a nice self-contained package yet still keeping in continuity and propeling the overall character drive and story.

This issue of X-23 has art by Sana Takeda. Using this soft glowy art as seen in X-23 v3 issue 3, it pushed a quiet innocence of X-23. The last few pages with Laura's choices just helped accentuate the tone the art gave off.

The subtle commentary from Marjorie Liu hidden within the dialogue was also a highlight. Whether it was Gambit commenting on how much following X-23 has helped him, or the ending lines of just drifting on the waves, the dialogue makes you think about facets you may normally disregard about a character. Yet it was subtly interwoven with every detail of what they were facing. The devil was in the details with the choices X-23 made. Showing yet again her capabilities to analyze a situation fast, and make choices on this information. This time, she used her strategic capabilities to help drive her moral decisions. Something completely new to X-23. She chose to err on the side of innocence in what seems like a throwback to v3 issue 3's commentary on her empathy capabilities.

It even brought up an interesting point about the density of adamantium and the drawbacks to trying to swim with it. It never said X-23 couldn't swim, as she's had plenty of water based missions in her origin mini, but it pointed out how immediate haste could be an issue when in danger. Whereas previously it was just her doing a mission in Greece for the Facility with timebombs she herself had placed on a ship and escaping while wearing scuba gear that could have hidden the adamantium weight from herself. This is of course besides whatever other armanents she may have had in tow as well since the panel in question only shows from the top of her nose up lifting the goggles, and what looks like wetsuit over her head. This issue chose to dive further into that, and pick up those loose threads to question just how much of a hindrance could it be. It even raises a point about Laura never asking Logan if he could swim with adamantium coating all his bones.

This issue has it all. A perfect jumping on point for new readers, a perfect self-contained issue for those curious how the comic is, and yet also a perfect issue for longtime fans.

I especially loved the opening commentary about those that use the Weapon X program to create weapons. Whether it be the facility, this new guy, or even Weapon X itself, it brought up a valid point about these people in charge and their lack of care for life. Who cares if the weapon drowns, we can make more, or so it would seem from X-23's perspective at least. Which makes sense considering the final mission from her mother was just that, stopping the facility from creating X-24 onward from Laura's DNA.

6 Claws out of 6



I cannot recommend this issue highly enough. I do not give 6 out of 6 unless it's an exceptional issue or TPB. This is one of those times.


Next Review: X-23 v3 Issue 8
Solicit Description: PART 1 OF COLLISION: THE DAKEN/X-23 CROSSOVER! When X-23 went to Madripoor searching for secrets about her past, she didn't expect to find Daken. But now that she has, will they be allies against a common enemy...or will this encounter lead to only one of them left standing?
Cover Price: $2.99
Writer: Marjorie Liu
Penciler: Ryan Stegman
Inker: Michael Babinksi
Colourist: John Rauch
Letterer: VC's Cory Petit
Editor: Jeanine Schaefer

X-23 v3 Issue 6 - Review (Spoiler Free)

Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know I missed this back in February, but hey I needed some filler for today. Forgive my lack of foresight from not seeing that Marvel themselves were already going to provide that with the re-release of the mini's issue 1, as well as an amazing self contained story in issue 7 of her ongoing. So anyway, let's get this out of the way then to get to the other awesome. Yes, I said other awesome, which means, as you probably suspected, this will be yet another glowing review for the comic.




What can one say about this issue without sounding repetitive to the reviews of other issues? It's a great issue, and a defining issue for Ms. Sinister's personal story, as well as Mr. Sinister's. This issue is written quite well expanding on Gambit and how he interacts with X-23, including ways in which he tests her for how empathetic she is.

The story lays interesting groundwork to be picked up later in comics about Mr. Sinister and Ms. Sinister, and dives into the very nature of how Ms. Sinister became who she is in retrospect.

The artwork is still the same as previous issues, contrasting light and dark rather well to help push subliminally the questions Laura has about herself. It also raises some interesting questions about the recent 'scar' that Laura has acquired and just what it means.

This issue itself raises many questions, yet also builds on ideas presented previously. It gives the reader much to look forward to in upcoming stories.


5 Claws out of 6



Short of 6 claws only because as a single issue it's hard to quantify as meriting that quite yet, but it does show a myriad of ideas starting to come to a head and within grasp of the reader understanding the planned direction this series seems to be treading softly towards in Laura's self-discovery. Something that comes across beautifully in Gambit's little situational test during their escape.

I'd also like to apologize for this moderately crappy review. As I'm writing this I'm being distracted by various, um, distractions.

X-23 v3 Issue 5 - Review

I went midly spoiler free here. So if you wanted to know how Sinister is connected to Laura, you're just going to have to buy the issue yourself.

This is it, the issue that finally reveals what many, and I do mean MANY have been worried about. Just what does Mr. Sinister have to do with Dr. Sarah Kinney and the Facility?

I must say, I was pleasantly surprised by this issue. It's setting up the arcs to come with Daken, and maintaining some decent continuity while addressing even more interesting points about child abuse and the depravity of Sinister's actions during his lifetime. Overall, pretty interesting. Nowhere near as bad as many articles would have led you to believe it would be. In fact, it feels perfectly in tune with something Sinister would have done, and doesn't hinder the already told origins of Laura Kinney. It does raise some questions, but they seem like questions that'll be answered in the upcoming issue, as well as the upcoming Daken crossover. The art is continually fantastic in this, contrasting light and dark rather well, and even conveying a softer appearance when dealing with the children. The usage of Gambit feels perfect and in continuity here, expressing his disdain for Sinister and why. The only thing to be forewarned about, is that this is yet another issue with one of those darn cliffhangers... Yet again, it's one of those cliffhangers that makes you go 'dammit, now I have to wait until the next issue.'

5 Claws out of 6



Borderline perfection, with only a few questionable spots. Spots that seem planned intentionally that way. Short of perfection only because of the cliffhanger... Yes, that's me being pissy about how it ended and having to wait a month to read the next.

*Update* There was the notion of 'these' clones retaining memories from each other. While that bugged me in such things like Smallville since it goes against the very foundation of the science itself, here I can let it slide as it makes sense for Sinister to have instilled that in the Alice series of clones to test it for personal usage. I just hope, nay I pray this doesn't lead to Laura all of a sudden getting Logan's memories. For now, it's acceptable within the confines of how Sinister was used.

X-23 v3 Issue 4 - Review (Soft Spoilers)

Released December 29, 2010

This issue was released last month, and in the thick of everything going on lately, I just didn't really have the time to review it. This by no means reflects the issue itself. Here, we had several snow storms, tornadoes, and more, so it was a well-warranted no time excuse.

Anyway, on to the review!

This issue has Laura hitting the road, and right off the bat we're given a scene where another's perceptions of her traveling is thrust upon her. It's an interesting notion as others seem to always be casting decisions of what they think they see onto Laura. What makes this interesting though is later that same perception issue crops up from Laura herself in using the available details to cast judgement on another girl. The entire issue is a great reminder that things are never what they seem. It also continues another trend that I'm starting to really dig. That of X-23 being the killer of anyone who harms children. Whether they be pedophiles, users, abusers, or pimps. A notion that harkens back to her roots as well. All in all, these 22 pages show some interesting potential, and leave off on a cliffhanger that makes you wonder just what the hell Miss Sinister is talking about. As any good cliffhanger should, it leaves you wondering just where this may go, or if Miss Sinister is just twisting facts to her own advantage as any villian normally would.

The issue feels short, ending just as it really gets going, but that's not a complaint aimed at Marjorie Liu for bringing this great issue forward, more aimed at the comics industry in general as of late. The art carries the issue quite well, and is the same as the other 3 released so far. Overall, the main feeling I got from the issue was how much it felt like a TV show pitch issue. It evokes a feeling borderline similiar to Hard Candy or Dexter but as a series that continually makes you think about the nature of the character, and just how much anyone who uses others to their whims is a pimp of sorts. Albeit this isn't a new notion, but it does harken back to the very essence of the issue about perceptions.

5 Claws out of 6



The reason? There's nothing wrong with the issue, and it does its job as entertainment, even creating moments where you can do nothing more than cheer. It didn't get a perfect score, as the issue is over just as you really get hooked, nor does it really present anything new. It does however use what's not new in quite a fun fashion. The comic itself has clear moments of shock and awe alongside some depressing moments that make it feel rather gritty, even disturbing, but this is a character where you should have come to expect this from. Now, off to buy issue 5 to review that one too, and see where this cliffhanger goes.

Review: X-23 V3 Issue 3 (Spoilers)

These are a new series of reviews going backwards while the other reviews go forwards. Now that they can be evaluated as complete arcs, it's a good time to go back and do the reviews proper justice. Plus, I need to do the spoiler free ones too.

X-23 v3 issue 3 is a very heady issue, and a very well done one at that.
It mirrors moments of clarity, a spiritual moment if you will, and expands on concepts in the mini-series.

This issue justifies why the Facility needed triggerscent. Proves finally to Laura and the world she's more than simply some female Wolverine, and has her growing into her own person in spite of everything that's been happening to her. Shows a woman by her own will and soul picking herself up, and reminding herself that she's a strong powerful woman who should take responsibility for her own choices. She dusts herself off to show the world she will not be pushed around anymore.

There are a few problem spots scattered in the art, and in a 'property of the state' remark, as well as the usage of Emma, but the parallels drawn between Gambit and Storm, against Cyclops and Julian were perfect. Shows the growing aptitude of a writer well capable of handling X-23, even giving her a voice outside of her condescension towards Wolverine in X-Force.  The other problem spot being in the memory of Laura killing her mother, but memory is a fickle thing and changes overtime as people put their own spin on them.  Something even a real psychologist will tell you, as memory is constantly evolving and changing based on how a person remembers it.

That's not to say the problem spots may not have been on purpose though, as this writer is continually proving she has an overall plan with what she's doing with a method to her madness so to speak.

The writer also proves with her usage of the Maslow Peak Experience, that she has a familiarity with psychology, and is just dabbling so as not to overwhelm the readership.  This also comes across subliminally in the usage of the memories themselves.

Overall, a very good issue, and one that should be a crowning jewel in anyone's collection.

5 Claws out of 6



- The property of State remark, alongside Emma's questionable conveyance.

+ The addition of the puppy to Laura's origin finally explaining why the facility needed triggerscent.

+ Parallels between Gambit, Storm and X-23. While Cyclops may have been an orphan too, he did grow up in structure with Professor Xavier. Something that comes across beautifully.

+ Laura leaving Julian in a moment of heartbreak even though she keeps putting herself on the line to save him.

+ Usage of the Peak Experience in a religious context really helps sell the point.

+ Laura's more or less 'hate' towards her mother, caused by the very letter in the mini saying never to forgive her mother.

---------

All these things factor together to create a fantastic issue, and truly shows a writer has done her homework, and is fully capable of handling this character and going in directions that will never be predictable. Something well needed for a character like this.

Now, keep your fingers crossed that Mr. Sinister is only tied to Laura through Kimura.