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X-Treme X-Men #20

We open up to the introduction of our team. And are told straight off Gambit and Rogue not present. (well doesn't that dampen things for a fan of those characters ... *chuckles*)

Sage and Bishop have a conversation about Xavier, the school and his dream. This particular topic seems old to me. Mainly because I think CC is trying too hard to drive the wedge between the teams. Got it, bought it, good with it. I like the idea of a rift. I don't need to beat over the head with it. But ... the good thing is, Sage and Bishop characterization. Which is more from these two than we've seen in awhile.

Storm is still on the mend.

Sage and Bishop investigate a police report, where the killer is a mutant.

In Alaska .. some folks are frozen to death, they were invited to a nice home ... yet, they were not dressed well for Alaska, and they were too far away to get to shelter before freezing to death.

You've pretty much have your basic detective stuff. Sage finding clues and the like.

Their suspect is at Xavier's. So they pay a visit. And the young mutant kids, mess with Sage and Bishop with Emma Frost's good blessing. But ... Sage and Bishop trick them and find the kid they need to talk to, who teleports them away .... without their clothes.

Sooooo, Sage and Bishop are naked somewhere ... rofl!!!!

Emma has looked the best under Sal's pencil here, her pants atleast look like they should and she is not carrying a package like she seems to sport under other pencillers. Still ... the magic of her wonder top keeping to her body still exists.

I love Sage's distrust of the triple telepath thing. Adds to the rift. I just plain liked Sage this issue. Glad Storm wasn't too terribly involved.

Interesting, now that Emma has "hindered" and investigation, it only adds fuel to where CC is going. Which neat, as long as he lays of the obvious. We get it, tell the tale.

Despite our Cajun not present at this time, I'm interested, this has been a pretty good start for an arc.

~Alexis

You left out the other dead people that were tortured. The premise is the deaths are related and likely one was killed because of the torture of the other. Along with Sage knowing the rich owner of the house. As noted this issue is pretty much all Sage - which is good. She needs to get some personal definition.

Emma's fun here - with mostly Sage and Bishop and just a little Storm and Wolverine - this book would be really monotone and super serious without her being that Rogue and Gambit are gone.

Certainly not the best I've ever read but at least interesting enough and I do like the idea of a philosphophical rift between them and New.

~Faith

X-Treme X-Men: X-Pose! #2

I liked this issue better than the first one, but the Xpose #1 was pretty good. I do not like the art, and as already stated by others - Art is a matter of taste, and this isn't to my liking at all. In addition, they messed up Gambit's eyes, they only had it correct on one panel. The rest of the time it was not correct. I thought his eyes stayed the same color with out his powers. Interesting he had his charm. LOL. So, it would appear to be more of his looks and personality then his "powers". LOL. Made me chuckle on the flirty comments toward Gambit.

Interesting rift built between the Xavier clan and XXM.

~Alexis

I liked the issue too and as you and many others have said, the art is really bad. The characters, particulalry Gambit do not like anything like themselvs. The cover art is nice though. I have it hanging alog side my issues of XM #24, XM #45, and Gambit #16. As a R/G shipper, I thought it was rather positive. Liked Rogue's and Paint exchange--

Paint: "...Are YOU? Is HE? Ohmigod Oh my GOD I am so SORRY!"
Rogue: "No harm in enjoying the VIEW." (tee hee)

~Leslie

I thought X-Pose #2 was better than #1 too. While the Storm part of 1 was quite good, the Bishop and Sage part was hokey and there was too much speach making. The Gambit and Rogue part showed what regular non-evil humans have to face with the change in mutant status instead of giving a speach about it. Gambit and Rogue's perspective was far easier to relate with.

I do admit though that it was unclear who Rogue contacted (and it seems CC now says it was Storm) as well as it was unclear who leaked the story to the press. I just assumed it was the disgruntled director who lost his job. It also would have been nice for Angel to mention Betsy to explain why he was more harsh with Storm - being that his anger makes more sense then. Wolverine siding with X-treme was a bit much too - considering his is in New (unless he's going to suddenly change his thinking in New).

Hey and I liked Paint too. I'd love to keep her as a non-powerful mutant perspective. So far she's been more interesting and unique than a lot of the new characters in the books.

~Faith

I didn't read X-Pose #1, so I don't have any comparison to make. I thought #2 was just OK. I really liked Gambit though. I liked his pacifist, let's not argue, attitude. He seemed pretty laid back, maybe a bit mellow.

I wish it wasn't written from Rogue's POV though. We've had enough of her. She didn't even discuss her feelings about her mutant powers, and this was her chance. As for her telling Gambit she wanted to kill the gang member mutant, it seems a bit off course. I'm hoping she meant it as a figure of speach, "I am so mad, I could kill you!", but instead she went on to say "Now I know how normal humans might feel!" Please, Rogue. Spare us. You were thrown into a garbage can. There were worse fights. Luckily Remy saved the day. ;-)

The art really held this issue back. It was just awful. This artist has no idea what foreshortening is. I'd say he needs a few more lessons in basic human anatomy.

~Nico

I liked this one better than #1, if only because it was less obvious. Claremont still had the subtlety of a sledge-hammer in it, but #1 was a positive wrecking-ball over your head between all the speeches.

The Good:

* Gambit was good in this issue for the most part. He is the type of character who prefers to charm his way out of a fight, who doesn't actually enjoy things getting violent, who wants to keep a low-profile. Some of his speeches were a bit over-the-top, such as the one to Rogue about getting into "his heart, his soul." Puke!

* Angel the corporate bastard. There wasn't too much explanation for it, considering he's been sweetness and light in Austen's stupid book, but I did like it. That's how I've always seen him - essentially ruthless, cold, corporate, terrible with people - taken to the nth degree. He's probably reacting to Betsy's death, I'd agree.

* Like Faith, I found Paint an interesting character. It's nice to see a mutant who isn't superpowered, and who only uses her gift to bring joy to people. I wouldn't mind seeing more of her.

* Evil Producer leaking the story to the press. He was a stereotype in himself, but that's just the sort of thing he would do.

* Salva's back next month! Hoorah!

The Bad:

* No definition of Gambit and Rogue's status. I hoped this book would set up some sort of direction for them, but it didn't in any real sense. Gambit seemed more prepared to commit and settle down with her, but they didn't have the sort of conversation I hoped they would.

* More of the same. This didn't add much to X-Pose #1, you know. It could all have been done in one issue.

* Toss up between Gambit's speech, the bar-owner's speech and Storm's speech at the end as to which was the worst of the issue. Storm's last one annoyed me for some reason, though I suspect that had a lot to do with the cutesy group-shot at the end. It rang of "this is our mission-statement". I miss the complexity of motives in some way - you knew Gambit was fighting for a different reason than Scott than Wolverine.

* Rogue seemed out-of-character to me. She seemed to be making Claremont's point for him rather than acting for herself as a character. I don't know. I have a very different view than him of Rogue. Mine's a lot more cynical, distrustful, ruthless. Mine still thinks like a terrorist in many ways. Mine would have walked out of that bar, because she would have known it would be dangerous to be identified and pinpointed while she was weak.

THE UGLY:

* The art! Gambit was unrecognisable for the most part. He looked like he'd been sitting on a barstool and eating pork-rinds for days! And I suspect that fight-scene was physically impossible unless you're Rodney Yee. :P

In short, I'd say it's a 6/10. Not terrible, not wonderful.

~Karen

Hmmm, so no one else is going to come to the defense of the art? I'll be the little lost lamb that enjoyed Ranson's art then.

Larocca draws a bit too "ideal" for my taste. He's talented sure, but Bishop's arm is bigger than his freaking head! (and do I need to even bring up the average cheast sizes of the girls? They put porn stars to shame) Sal's also had a weak point of drawing civvies, case in point what just about everyone was wear in #19. Terrible, just terrible.

Flipping threw X-Pose #2, it occured to me that everyone looked sharp. Gambit had a black shirt, dark pants with his trench. *MUCH* more stylish than Sal's obsession for drawing Gambit in tattered outfits (see #390 as well as X-Treme #19, ugh) Rogue had a cute a-line skirt, blue long sleeved shirt and chunky boots which is something I'd always seen being her style (feminine, but with an edge but never "butch" or just plain fugly). Even Ranson's Storm outfit was simply beautiful.

Does Ranson have his faults? Sure, his action scenes... well... they could have been better (most noteably the page with G&R's fight w/ the gang) but he's still a very talented artist. He's a very moody artist which was probably the reason he didn't mesh well with Claremont's script. Claremont has no ability to set mood, he beats you over the head with what you're supposed to think & feel with annoying drawn-out narration boxes rather than let the art speak for itself. Claremont can't dig himself out of the 80s, Sal is stuck back in the "ideal comic" art style as well.

As for X-Pose #2 the comic: *Loved Gambit being just being there (well, why else am I on this list people?) Although... Gambit the pool shark with doe-eyes? Um, yeaaaaaaah. I could see Gambit being great a pool, but I just can't see him pulling an "innocent" route. I could have done without Gambit's "dream" speeches as well.

*Paint... *heart* Paint. I'd love to see more of her. I'll gladly trade Tessa & Storm both for Paint.

*Angel telling Storm off was fantastic. I'm so frigging tired of hearing how perfectly amazing & amazingly perfect Storm is. I used to like Storm, but Claremont has ruined her for me and she's now on the bottom of the X-Men list, tied with Wolverine & Nightcrawler. It's funny that Claremont tried to make Waren look like this complete bad guy but I was without a doubt on his side cheering for him.

*The "news story" plot. Bored now.

*The Gambit & Rogue relationship wasn't dealt with... at all. I don't know where I fall with it. On one hand, I was thrilled that Gambit seems to have gotten over his annoyance with Rogue over bring him "back from the dead." I had to watch an entire season of Buffy on the same subject, I really didn't fancy going threw it again. On the other hand, I wish they would have addressed *something.* Gambit & Rogue have been traveling around USA on her bike? Super but... what exactly have they accomplished? Why does one biker bar of mutants & humans suddenly make Gambit wants to settle down with Rogue? It's a bit too much of a "the huh?" from him being all depressive in #19 and Rogue being weirded out by touch.

*The backwards sexisum. Claremont's **GIRL POWER!!** is more grating and annoying to me than anything the Spice Girls ever did. ROGUE has a house in New Orleans, they're traveling on ROGUE's bike, they want to interview ROGUE, it's ROGUE's pov story... One issue of spotlighting is fine, but when the entire run in all about **GIRL POWER!!** I find myself being sick of Chris' wacked feministic views.

~Sara

This was a good chance to explain where Rogue and Gambit are in their relationship. However, after reading this issue nothing is answered. But why am I not surprised? I'm not sure who said it, but in a previous post someone wrote that they would never write what we want to see (gambit and rogue together) At this point I would tend to agree. I think marvel is afraid to do it and they dont know how to do it.

HOWEVER, they could have had a more exciting issue. A bar fight? How....high schoolish. Please think of something more creative. PLEASE. I've given up and refuse to read another issue, like I said before, unless something pretty amazing happens..and I highly doubt that. I'll read your reviews but thats it. I know one reader wont matter but I need to find some better comics or start reading fan fic.

~Divia

X-Treme X-Men: X-Pose!

X-Pose wasn't bad. Storm seemed more herself than she's ever been and her friendship with Logan seems to always work. Storm is the only character that seems to be able to pull off CC's speaches without sounding out of character besides Xavier. I think it's because they both are dramatic idealist so it works for their characters. Aned generally liked the investigative reporting angle though the "evil" producer is a bit cliche.

I think my only real dislike was Bishop and Sage out windsurfing. I just can' t picture either one of them interested in that sort of thing - nor especially Sage suggesting it. Down time on the California beach - maybe. Sage also doesn't seem so much the speach maker to me either. I'm not too much buying into the Sage/Bishop relationship here either. It seems too sweet and forced. However, having seen the preview for X-Treme 20 on the Marvel site, I can say that version of them working together comes off much more believable though I'm still having a real hard time with Bishop as a detective considering has really poor skills in that area when he first showed up accusing Gambit. But if it keeps Bishop interesting and the other characters don't all have to appear totally unable to do some deducing themselves I can live with it.

~Faith

I got around to reading Mekanix 2 yesterday and Xpose 1 today, and I found that I liked them both. The interior art was great in Mekanix and quite decent in Xpose. It was nice to see some books that kept to characterization or plot and didn't feature big fight scenes; there was very little. While Gambit didn't appear in either book, I would still recommend both books for reading. They seem to be among the better of the works that Claremont has done during the last few years. I welcome more.

~Darren Duncan

I'm not sure how I feel about Xpose, partially because the title is just so terrible, but also because I havn't been enjoying XXM much at all and am frustrated with how Claremont is writing those characters.

~Megs

This story is well-executed and enjoyable. As I said, it's an interesting concept and one I've not seen done much in comics. It's a staple of television shows - they're forever having mockumentary episodes - but it's a new device in comics. More specifically, the Storm\Wolverine friendship works. The scene with Emma and Esme worked pretty well too - fairly amusing, actually, and it's interesting that Emma seems to be gathering young mutants around herself that seem personally loyal to her. She's done that before and it ended tragically for them. The Bishop\Sage scenes feel a bit strained - Claremont has a very poor handle of Bishop, and I can't Sage suggesting a day on the beach either - but he does make it into an interesting comment about mutant\human relationships. And the boss is suitably slimy and unethical as well.

On that note, Claremont still can't write credible dialogue. The evil boss might look like Courier, but he sounds and acts like every cliche of an evil boss ever. I just winced every time he opened his mouth. Having said that, it's not entirely unrealistic. I know there are journalists out there who have no concept of ethics to the point where magazines\shows actually budget for libel cases. What they can make from selling the latest, often manufactured scandal outweighs what they have to pay out in damages.

Getting back to the actual plot, it might have been nice to see where Gambit and Rogue are and they are doing. I know the story is being framed by the reporters' perspective, but even a word or two about them might have been nice. He could have cut down some of the scenes, and put in some information about the two of them. The Storm scene dragged a bit IMO, but that might be because I'm so sick of her.

However, the major problem with this plot is that it leaves me feeling: "so what?" I know this is his attempt to define a new direction for the team, but there's absolutely nothing new about it. Since XM #1, the X-Men have protected all of humanity, be they human or mutant. They have never made much of a distinction between them. None of his characters' revelations about their motives are revelations at all. I suppose he needs to define his direction against Morrison's one, but he did that pretty adequately in XXM #19 in the dialogues between the characters. So, why have this story at all?

Finally, I know most people hate the art, but I don't mind it. It's a very different style to Larrocca - a lot more etched and photorealistic. They could have used a lighter hand on the inking in places, but it's not unattractive in its own way. It suits the nature of the story too - we're meant to be buying the X-Men as real people about whom a television show is being made, so the more realistic art works.

Anyway, I'd give it 7/10. It's a good story, but so what?

~Karen

X-Treme X-Men #19

This won't be as coherent as the last review - these are just some thoughts I put together on my second reading of the issue.

What's happened to Gambit's house? He has one in the French Quarter as I remember it, so why the need to invent another convenient inheritance for Rogue?

And the first panel wins my painful reading award. All it needed was Scarlett O'Hara standing in the ruins of her plantation and saying: "As God is mah witness, Ah'll never go hungry again." And Rogue ripping down a few curtains to throw together a ballgown! ^.~

Gambit wins the awful outfit award for the issue, closely followed by Rogue. Just tacky.

The family feel of the issue was fantastic. The joking, the laughing, great to see. And I loved Logan's crack about every bad guy wanting to marry Storm, as well Beast's definition of a Magneto moment. So, CC does have a sense of self-irony and can parody himself. . . .

I'm impressed with how CC uses Morrison's material. They're so different, but it feels so natural. Jean's desire to get them to come back to the mansion and teach is interesting - she's well-meaning, but she doesn't see what's happened to them and to her. That's why I loved Kitty's comment about her thinking they all were humans. Bishop's too, later in the issue. It's just a subtle, elegant dagger-thrust, lacerating Morrison's run's biggest problem. If the X-Men are so insular, who is going to protect the humans, as Xavier has always intended? Whose responsibility does that become?

Bishop wisecracking? Whoa.

Heather's conversation with Neal is interesting. I like how she's questioning her identity and motives now, in light of what Davis said to her. It makes what seemed to be a cheap throwaway device a potentially interesting plot. Still, I'm also glad she's leaving.

Gambit's response to Beast is interesting. He knows he can't charge cards, yet he feels the need to conceal the fact. He's obviously trying to bluff him in that panel - Remy's too slick for that to be an instinctive reaction, an instinctive reaching for a weapon. And there's some obvious bitterness there towards Rogue.

CC does do Kitty well. The scene between her and Storm was incredibly powerful and well-executed. The best line of the issue: "I'd phase and phase and phase until there's nothing left and I can't reincorporate." Amazingly powerful and quite shocking stuff. And her wanting a normal life is another important counter to Morrison's project of having a mutant school and a mutant identity.

Bishop's still wisecracking? I'm getting scared.

By the way, am I the only one who thinks that Bishop x Sage is going to be a potential couple? I better copyright Bisage now, so people have to pay vast amounts of money to me everytime they use it . . . ^.~

Seriously, though, Sage's comment about Xavier is interesting and ominous. I wonder how accurate it is . . . .

I still don't think Gambit would worry too much about his powers. I wonder if he's displacing the rest of his angst at losing heaven onto this particular issue. That's the only explanation I can see.

Nonetheless, good scene with him and Rogue. Gambit's definitely a little bit snippy in it. I know a lot of people have tried to read his responses in the most positive light, but he is being a tiny bit of a bastard to Rogue. He's definitely ignoring her implications in the first part of the scene. And definitely evading her unspoken questions in the second part. But good for Rogue for not letting him do that, for making him give her an answer.

And honestly it's the only answer he could have made under the circumstances. He's wise not to let her rush into a lifetime commitment based on factors that may change and probably will change judging by the ominous glow on the cards. . . .

Her outfit is still tacky, though. That hasn't changed.

I think I've discussed the ending scene a lot already. Again, it's good Gambit and Rogue want time together to work through the issues. And it's good to see Heather and Neal off - there is a comics' god and he does listen to prayer. ^.~

However, he must have been listening to the fanboys as well . . . Logan's staying behind? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO ::breathes:: OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

The cake plate at the end amused me. I'm not sure if it was Larroca's awful spelling, but I'd like to believe it was deliberate on CC's part. You know, "Well, come home X-Men!"

And Mekanix wins the ugliest cover prize. Celia Calle, stick to drawing anorexic stick-figures in tasteless clothes. Even for a gimmick, it's a darn ugly cover.

Overall Rating That Doesn't Matter: 8/10

~Karen

X-Treme X-Men #17

We see Gambit and Rogue impaled, the rest of the team thinks they're dead until Rogue speaks. Bishop removes the blade, and they're trying to assess damage. Rogue's powers go crazy, she is exhibiting them randomly and quite quickly. She's trying to get control and she uses the knowledge and powers to heal herself, then goes after Vargas for "revenge".

Rogue who looks like Psylocke not faces off against Vargas. She loses her catalog of powers of those she's imprinted so, she actually has to use her own strength,and training. Their fight is captured on TV. Anyway, she is about to finish Vargas off, and she realizes the Diaries are a trap, trapping people and making destined to them. She doesn't kill Vargas.

Other things in the issue:

Davis is fine, Heather drops by to see him and he doesn't recognize her, calls her a monster. He's not handling her Sh'iar look to well. Viper also has a few words with the team, offering assistance. Storm shoots Viper, Bishop takes the gun from Storm, reminds her to be like Viper. Sage, of course drives the message home about not messing with the Xmen, they're family, mess with one, mess with them all. Great scene, with Sage, using her foot and knee to hold Viper into place. She has a blade and cuts Viper.

The last few pages are of Gambit all bandaged up and Rogue (still dresses as Psylocke) hugging, she's resting in his lap.

Next up: "Day of the Dead"

So, this being the wrap of the arc, I'm guessing more ramifications next issue, and it would appear a "new" direction of XXM. Which is fine. The diaries should be treated as possibilities not eventualities. I'm glad we're moving on, the Invasion arc really wasn't my cup of tea. And I'm happy to just have the characters move on.

Still the issue still leaves you wondering. After all, they're not all healthy yet.

~Alexis

Overall, this was one of the few nearly all Rogue issues where she gets to control her powers and to decide how she plans to handle an issue while interestingly in contrast to Storm who is a bit out of control for her (shooting Viper - though understandable was very over the top for Storm). It's nice to see Rogue really get to show what she's learned over time. As a Rogue fan it's great.

Gambit doesn't die at least and hopefully after this arc, he'll get some characterization.

So far rumors put Gambit still at deaths door next issue but he'll survive with help from Beast, Rogue and Jean. An interview with Andrew Lis recently, he noted that this is a crossroads for Gambit and Rogue's relationship and it will change.

~Faith

X-Treme X-Men #14

If you're reading this and haven't bought the issue yet-- DON'T.

It's basicly another filler issue, w/o even a single panel of Gambit to cheer us up. But we have wasted pages of background characters and wastes of ink that adds nothing to the plot. But really, how many pages of the last 3 issues have added to the plot? But I disgree... ;)

Heather's a bird (Sh'air royality it seems, oooh!!) Davis is an amazing fighter that can take out fantastic armies, and Tessa is the best fighter of the X-Men EVER because her powers can predict her enimies next move of attack. I REALLY wish I was making up that whole last sentance as an evil joke but... I'm not :(

Another $3 down the drail.

~Sara

Heh. You left out the further Storm glorification, but with Claremont that's a given, and no spoiler. ;)

~Keri

There is absolutley no need to drag this arc on so long. It doesn't need the number of issues given it. And I felt like I threw away $3 too. Sheesh. The only interesting part was the beginning with Rogue and Vargas. NO Gambit. But, there really isn't anything for Gambit to do. He's still "freakin'" stuck, and it doesn't seem like his "freedom" is coming terribly soon. Well next month, two issues, one to kill him, one to bring him back. (I don't know if that is going to happen, I'm just ranting). Wow, what a great we fans have had watching our Cajun.

I like short story arcs. I don't need six issues. Tell the story and go to the next one. Whomever's brilliant idea at Marvel for doing stories like this, is a moron. Or perhaps, we are seeing a failure on CC's part. Or its possible we wouldn't be so disappointed if it wasn't centered on Storm so much, and its possible others would complain if this story was centered on say Rogue and Gambit. I don't know. I think people complain no matter what. But,I know Millar does long arcs. And people don't seem to complain, but then, not too much characterization is going on either. (I can only guess from what people say, its another book I don't buy).

So, what could be the possiblities (speculating away here) of the deal between Rogue and Vargas. She must of "imprinted" someone important to Vargas. Or perhaps, he's read the diaries and knows something? But .... why would he want to kill her?

I don't think Storm was over glorified this issue, she was okay. Just being a prisoner and victim of jealousy. But why would her powers betray her. She controls the weather, all of the sudden she's knocked herself out???? What???? Maybe I just didn't get that scene, or perhaps, she was too freakin' wet to using lightening, wouldn't she know that???? Ah well.

Heather Sh'iar royalty, well I can't say I was expecting that. She went from beautiful girl who can do anything to Royalty who can do anything and now looks like a bird. But, I'm guessing can take the human form. I guess that makes Davis royalty. I guess he would be good enough for Storm now eh? Not a dumb surfer dude now is he.

As for Sage, she can only calculate the next move or so I thought, she just happened to be right, however, the odds can be funny, and it would humor me to see her miscalculate and get smacked good. bwahahah. But I do like Sage. Funny, everyone is "convenient" for certain things.

I don't think this issue is necessary for the ending of the story. Its just filler.

~Alexis

Oh, yes, there's a GREAT need to drag this one another issue, even TEN more issues--we just can't glorify Storm ENOUGH. Why, EVERY SINGLE FRIGGIN' PANEL IN EVERY X-BOOK FOREVER SHOULD BE DEVOTED TO ABSOLUTELY NOTHING BUT SINGING THE PRAISES OF LA STORMA. Why doesn't Claremont just write out all the male characters, except maybe Slippy Slide, whom he seems to like? It's not like he's ever going to give them a big fat story arc, or even more than a cursory panel or two per issue. [One notes that Triad story, supposedly about Gambit, focused mostly on Rogue.] I don't think Gambit will come back for awhile--just THINK of all that ANGST Claremont can put Rogue through. Or maybe not. She's sure not thinking about the love of her life this issue, is she? Nor is anybody else. After all, we're well accustomed to the X-Men abandoning Gambit to die, aren't we? Why should we expect anything different now? I'm all in favor of Gambit and Vargas spending the duration of Gambit's "Death" hanging out and drinking beer together, maybe they can festoon the statue of Psylocke with blinking lights, put a star on its head, and celebrate Christmas early--and if Gambit gets REAL lucky, maybe Vargas will let him hug the statue, too. What fun! Anything's better than what we're geting now. "We've got to rescue Storm because of all the damage she can do to this place!" Hello? A guy who can make a kill-power bomb out of anything he puts his hand on CAN'T do any damage? "We can't get him off the altar because there's GUARDS around!" Well, pierce my ears and call me drafty--the X-Men have NEVER fought their way through GUARDS before--and we certainly can't expect them to forego their virgin fight status on this one. Not for Gambit's sake, anyway, but BY JINGO WE CAN BATTLE OUR WAY THROUGH THE JAWS OF HELL FOR OUR BELOVED STORM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oops--and we forgot the fact that if we could just get him OFF the rock, then Khan's tower won't solidify, the invasion goes belly up and all that good crap--BUT WHO CARES ABOUT GAMBIT, THE FUTURE OF THE PLANET, AND ALL THAT TRIVIAL STUFF--THEY'VE GOT STORM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sure, people complain about stuff all the time, But I think I'd have a seizure and keel over dead if Claremont could cough up an original idea (something besides, "Hey, there's this bad guy and he wants to make Storm his queen because she's a goddess yada yada yada!"). I'm at the point where I wouldn't mind seeing a story arc centered on Dunderbird--ANYTHING besides shoving Storm's wonderfulness down my throat until I puke. Not to mention the progressive near-deification of Rogue, Rightguard, and Sage. "Hey, Rocky-- watch me pull a new superpower out of this bra!" I actually LIKE strong female characters, but not with the Kitty Pryde Syndrome (ie, little likable girl becomes smarter than Reed Richards, develops layer upon layer of new powers, saves the universe more often than Wesley Crusher, and becomes an immortal [implied by the Neo storyline]. Think of the possibilities for Gambit, for example. What if he comes out of this not able to convert potential to kinetic energy? What if he could also do the reverse? That means our babe could stand on the railroad track in front of a runaway train and STOP it with a touch. What if the Madripoor jewels actually became part of his body, or their use increased his powers exponentially (versus Claremont's usual thang of the female mutant's power increasing "geometrically")? Gambit could make Magneto's powers look, in comparison, as lame as the Toad's. The air is full of microscopic particulate matter: Even at his usual power levels, Gambit should be able to charge up the very atmosphere itself. Or, what if he became immune to his own power, like the Summers brothers? Imagine that kind of devastative power. What if he were allowed to convert other forms of energy (electrical, solar, magnetic, thermal, atomic, etc) to kinetic energy? He's a mutant, after all, anything SHOULD be able to happen.

But it won't. As long as Claremont wants to be the dog in the manger (that is, HE doesn't want to use Gambit, but he'll be damned if he lets anyone else [Chuck Austen, for example] explore and actually develop the character), Remy will remain in his current rut, mostly just part of the X-Treme Ink-and-Paint Club for Male Characters, or occasionally trotted out to develop ROGUE'S character further (whether the development of Rogue is for good or bad, the point is PANEL SPACE devoted to Rogue as a Claremont Favorite).

If I'm wrong, I'll happily eat every last word I've written. It's a great pity that Claremont doesn't want to deal with male characters and that they are only present as tokens of their sex with no focus upon them. But that's Claremont: He's ALWAYS been this way, and we've been lucky to squeeze the occasional Wolverine story out of him over the years. The person(s) I blame most is the editorial part of this equation, but I even wonder about that. The editor has (or should have) the power to say, "Chris, I want to see something different, something NEW. I want to see stories about the X-Treme group as a TEAM, with equal focus on each team member. I want to see some character development beyond just wallowing in manufactured angst. I want action scenes that make sense. I want to be dazzled by what you've written. Go home and think about it over the weekend, then on Monday come talk to me about what you've come up with." Or maybe editors at Marvel don't have that kind of power, to rein in the excesses of prima donna "writers". If that's the case, what a great job for somebody who just wants to show up and get paid. But the picture I seem to get with this is that the editor has no power to steer the writer, but is blamed if the writer fouls up and is then canned while the writer continues to behave as a highly-paid fanboy. I yearn for the good ol' days of writers and artist working for pennies 12 hours a day, crammed into smoke-filled studios, and Bob Kane taking credit for all their work. Comics were much better then, AND cheaper.

~Louise

I do admit I had some real problems with this issue but it had a few moments. The Rogue-Vargas opening was interesting and Rogue's reaction was spot-on and hopefully will lead to something. It's about time Khan's household started acting like normal people defending their turf though it should have been built up more. There had to be some ambious women in his harem one would think.

I agree with Alexis on the fact that one of the real problems with this arc is it's been too long for the story. It's going to be 7 issues. It should have been no more than 5.

Heather: I didn't really like her before but now I can't stand her. I knew it was coming but her being Sh'iar seems so contrived. Not to mention Bishop figuring it out was out of left field. All I can hope is this means she'll leave earth forever.

People talk about Rogue and Lifeguard but Sage is become Ms. Wonder Power. She sounds more and more like Midnighter from the Authority (a character who annoyed me). There seems nothing her power can't do and more importantly allow her to do better than everyone else.

I would add Storm's power going loopy to the list of contrived things going on. What? She strikes herself with a bolt? All because of Viper nearly killing her? I suppose if it leads to Storm having to re-learn her powers some it might help but it's darn convenient for it to happen now.

And I agree with everyone that the focus on trying to save Storm when doing something about Gambit - whether rescuing/killing him whatever is more important to the goal of saving the world does not make sense. Then go rescue Storm. I understand their concern for her but she just is not the main thing they need to stop in this crisis and generally she was being held captive not under threat of death that they know.

~Faith

I thought XXM 14 was interesting myself, so I wouldn't be surprised by what you read on other boards. Unlike some people who read the books for appearances of one and only one character, judging it on those alone, I like several of the characters, so I usually find something interesting to get out of each issue.

~Darren

X-Treme X-Men #13

This was a good issue but to me it wasn't a great issue or maybe more not quite what I hoped.

What I liked:

Rogue's power issues. Not just the power up but how she used it as well as showing it does have other problems she will have to deal with. And even with all the power of Magneto she still reached a limit and it was too much for her. Just please don't repeat the power corrupts storyline again. Been there done that - more than once. There are way more ways to get creative here. I'm actually looking for this to be more frustrating and amusing than dark - that would be different.

Rogue's Magneto speak. It really did sound like Magneto. I've always thought a lot of CC dialogue is a bit stilted and not unique to each character (Gambit says I too much in this issue. Dropping the reference to himself after the first time would have been more natural) but I have to say even if you didn't know she had just used Magneto's power, you could have recognized his emotions and speach. And I liked that though it was his "emotional" reaction, it was about Rogue's feelings. I'm now dying to hear "Magneto" or "Logan" Rogue express their love to Gambit. The comic potential for this is really amusing. Especially Rogue being jealous of herself. I have this envision of another "female" personna in Rogue "deciding" she likes Gambit too.

Davis's coming in as backup/rescue for Rogue. Despite his loss of conviction moment last issue, he pulls himself together here and acts more like a teammate than we've seen in some of this group. You definitely feels he's bonding with the group from this scene though I'm still not convinced either he or Heather really make me care yet. Still it's more more than you feel Sage or Bishop do this issue. Last issue Bishop and Rogue seemed like teammates and this issue Bishop seems to more back in leader mode - preaching instead of talking to. Which isn't bad really as it shows different sides of him but it's obvious this group is not that tight yet. Gambit's quick reaction to try to kill himself to stop the tower. The shield hardly goes down and Gambit is grabbing a stone and try to help without concern for himself. Gambit's heroic (and interestingly team spirit) streak shines in just a short appearance. Nice being that Gambit is not much more than a device this storyline.

Storm using her gift to see energy patterns. Well done but unlike some, I do not consider this new. It was mentioned way back in Uncanny 185 when Rogue absorbed Storm and it's nice to see it creatively used for something other than Storm to see the weather energy patterns that she can manipulate. However, I don't consider it overly unique (my opinion is that most energy manipulators have to have a similar ability to see or feel energy to control their version of it's use. Magneto or Gambit for instance should have some ability to identify energy) or something that can be overly expanded upon. She's had it all along. It's just nice to see her use it now and then. And unlike some I do not find this incredibly sneaky. Sneaky would be if she convinced anyone that she might really be considering Khan's offer. No one believes her and just because she's lucky to have power they do not know does not make her sneaky. Smart but not sneaky.

I'm actually starting to like Shaitan. He's a bitter (near jealous? :-) ) right-hand suck-up, isn't he?

Vargas. - He just gets more and more sick/bizarre as time goes by. Carrying around Psylocke's "statue" and hugging it, talking to his sword etc. is just too psycho. Sounds like Storm's new boyfriend ^_^ Sage hacking their system with her "glasses computer" - nice touch as well as she at least gives them some information for a change instead of at the last minute.

What I didn't like:

Lifeguard's change. Not so much that she changed (and I like it ok) but that it basically amounted to nothing in the issue. Call me when it matters that she looks this way.

The yelling of lines like Rogue's you go girl and Davis' time to catch the warp wave. They just seem so catch phrase-y and melodramaticl. As well as Sage's do we fight? Well duh, of course we do.

And I agree that Bishop before telling Rogue that she may have to kill Gambit and now saying he couldn't don't fit. Even if he couldn't (he did kill his sister), I don't think he'd admit it. I can see him telling Neal that it was alright that it's hard but he needs to understand he might need too the next time.

Too much wasted space - Sage, Bishop, Lifeguard and Neal spend way too much time chatting about what they are doing/going to do. As well as we didn't need Rogue giving Sage the recap like Sage hadn't been there with them all the time. If we need some mild update, then come up with some better ways to do it. And we already spent pages showing Storm flirting with Khan and being pampered and watched. We didn't need pages of it again. A scene or two (even could have the gratuitous naked scene) would have sufficed with the time spend on her watching them and Shaitan's comments. With having similar feelings about issue 11, I still feel this story is dragging a bit. It keeps hinting at pay-off but isn't working at it as well as I'd like. I still feel that the last 3 issues could have easily been two despite it allowing Salva to show off some (I actually have some similar issues with all the x-books storylines at the moment). Definitely good and I still am *very* interested to see what actually comes of this arc, but I'm ready to start getting down to the nitty gritty and quit setting things up.

Definitely waiting on 14.

~Faith

Why does Claremont feel compelled to use dialogue to recap everything from plot to powers? Looking at #13, Rogue gave Sage--who has been present for the events of the past 13 issues--a 2-page rundown on the situtation and her powers, things of which Sage absolutely HAS to be aware (unless she's dense or extremely unobservant, which she is not.) This is something I learned NOT to do in all my writing classes, and it's prominiently featured in almost every reputable guide to writing any type of fiction, from Gardener to The Turkey City Lexicon, which refers to the practice as the "As You Know, Bob..." Mistake That Writers Make: using dialogue between two people who are fully aware of the situation to bring a third party up to speed.

~hf

The cover's very nice, very well done- but I do have one problem with it. Is it just me, or does it look a look like the promotional pictures for that alien movie 'Species'?

~ Crystalwren

X-Treme X-Men Annual

Not too impressed, but it wasn't too bad.

We find our XXM team in Sydney. Bishop is going to try to learn more about his family, and Rogue and Sage go along for the ride. He's visiting Gateway, so they're going to "dreamtime", while there they get attacked. And Rogue sees a page from one of Destiny's diaries.

Shadow King is speaking to Rogue while she dreams, and tells her that perhaps all that she knows isn't really true.

The Reavers attack - Rogue can feel the effects of being hit. She's thrown a distance, the shadow king appears, she smooches him and he turns into Gambit. Then the real thing shows up and they know SK is out, and Gateway is in trouble and Rogue has to take care of this by herself (*rolls eyes*) Since she's imprinted the Shadow King its her fight.

The Reavers and Xmen are still fighting.

Rogue meets up with the Shadow King. Rogue states its her soul and mind, and puts the SK back into prison in her mind. Its her mind, she has control there, the ghosts in her head follow her lead. She kisses Gambit here too. While she didn't need Gambit there, she admits it makes it nicer.

Back to the others, Reavers are put away, they have another book from the diaries.

Then we get a few pages, of computer websites, Kitty is reading about all of the mutant hatred, and wonders if Magneto was right. And maybe its time to do something about it. She has lockheed now too.

~Alexis

The problem I had with these Reavers being here is the fact that they were all killed when the Upstarts sent Sentinels to wipe out the Hellfire Club, in Uncanny X-Men #281. They went to Australia to get Donald Pierce, and killed not only him, but the rest of these particular Reavers while they were at it. Except Skullbuster, if that is indeed who the female is. She and Deathstrike escaped that Sentinel raid, and Skullbuster got offed in Wolverine comics after that.

And I can't believe that Pierce was called Black Prince of the Hellfire Club. He was White King! Claremont knows that, he created the guy, as the HFC's White King. I wonder if that wasn't added by an ignorant editor. "Prince" has never been an HFC title.

I naturally have reservations about Kitty turning to Magneto's philosophy. But I'll wait to see how and if it's executed. If it's just because she looked at a vile web site, that girl needs to grow up. The internet is a sounding board for all manner of malcontents, and while she should be upset (godhatesfags.com sure works me up into a rage), it's hardly a reason to decide that "those kind of people" are a reason to hate humanity.

But what I'm really curious about is, where is she? Looking out her window, Genosha is the only place I've seen that looks like that. And Genosha doesn't look like that any more. Actually, it only just occurred to me that it might resemble Madripoor's Hightown. Is that it? Or maybe it's another dimension, since we've heard rumblings from Claremont that she's going to be able to travel between dimensions.

Anyway, art by Salvador Larocca! So far, 8 consecutive issues of X-Treme (and the next 3 or 4 solicited) all drawn by Salva, and he was even able to fit the Annual into his schedule! I know that this book was inked, but if not having to rush the monthly book's pages off to an inker gives an artist the time to do every issue of their book, more of them should go inkless.

~Ben

me: "what part are you up to?"
sam: "confusion."
me: "What part of confusion?"
sam: *flips between pages of rogue/shadow king kiss and rogue/remy kiss.*
me: "ahh."
*5 minutes later*
me: "what part now?"
sam: "mindless claremont dribble."
me: "not specific enough."
sam: "street fight between parker people."
me: "ahh."

though i gotta say, i liked the intro of kitty. and larroca... ohhhh larroca :o)

~Courtney

Actually this story is the best XXM yet. The Reavers are just muscle so you don't have to really get in volved with them. We have all sorts of things going on in this story from Bishop starting to look into a genologic history that is unknown to him, to Rogue fighting and resisting the SK which shows a great deal of progress in Rogue's character (yeah progress! For any character or story.) Rogue finally accomplishs a believe in her strength of will over the many minds in her head as well as shows the Shadow King she's not such a push over as he thought by defeating him. We get another diary from Gateway and get hints that Kitty has some more of them. We get some very good Gambit and Rogue moments. And if the numbers are correct (13), then it seems all the diaries might be found already with X-treme's two and CC says Vargas does have two, and then Xavier's group and Kitty's group. And lastly there are hints that Rogue's original Ms. Marvel powers maybe fritzing out on her some as well as diary makes vague references to SK "influencing" Xavier's school and Rogue more than one might think and SK tells Rogue that's he's been trying to use her since childhood. Even saying it was him that influences Destiny and Mystique off track and on their messed up missions as well as the X-Men and why Rogue can't control her power becuase he didn't want her to so she'd have all these powers for him to use when she was with him.

The point is that this is likely more a half truth than the real thing as the diary could mean a lot of things and SK really needs to get to Rogue because with Psylocke dead, he would be free from the Astral Plane but unfortunately now that the residuals in Rogue are stronger so is the Psylocke part and it's just enough to keep him in place. He needs to "seduce" Rogue to his side to get free and he''l say anything but some of it might have some truth to it. It brings up a lot of possiblities as to why the X-Men and Rogue haven't accomplished as much as they could have.

There are some other very nice bits in the story with the other characters as well even though the focus is mostly to deal with Rogue's mental battles.

First it's Gambit who figures out what is actually going on with SK and why he wants Rogue and her residual Psylocke part. Very smart and he's the one (obviously as this is his area of expertise) that SK's story is best if it's the most plausable lie or half lie. He also makes the statement about "sounds perfect for a couple named Gambit and Rogue" which is just more support for their relationship and for Rgoue. Though not used a lot, Gambit looks very good in his issue without being a Rogue extension. As do Bishop and Sage and their fights with the Reavers who we find being used by the SK to be his muscle as he has no body himself and only can use those turned to his will.

Despite the confusion over what is going on in Rogue's mind and when she's there and not, this was a very good issue. All sort of information was being given or hinted at and Rogue grows as well as everyone looks good. I highly recommend this issue for it's progress on a lot of fronts (the diaries and Bishop starting to look into his history) so it's great for all X-treme readers and for the progress with Rogue so it's great for Rogue lovers and. Gambit looks good as does the Gambit and Rogue relationship. Sage is the only ? because it's still not clear how she does things though she looks good at it.

~ Faith

X-Treme X-Men 7

Ok first of all I agree with the people who were saying it was weird that Rogue didn't recognise Shaw...I mean obviously she didn't see him the first time he hit her but after she flew into him and was talking to him I don't see how she could fail to recognise him. Gambit sure seemed to know who he was right away.

Secondly, doesn't Rogue think it's a little weird that one minute she's fighting Shaw and Gambit's jumping out the window and the next minute she's in a pink dress in bed with him? (And speaking of dresses, what kind of funky date would that have been if it were real where she's in a ball gown and no shoes and Remy's in jeans and no shirt? I'd like to see them try to get into Chez Fancyfrenchjoint dressed like that...heck I don't even know if they could get into Denny's looking like that.) This is my first comic series so I'm not that familiar with Lady Mastermind but I would think that she would notice such a huge jump in time and circumstances. Ditto with Sage and the doors.

Also with Sage, when she puts the gun to Remy's head is that really Lady Mastermind, like Gambit thinks, or is it Sage after all the illusion conditioning, or do we not know? And does anyone else think Sage's Tessa-in-the-Hellfire-Club costume is bordering on the obscene? ;) I mean, she lifts up her head and her decolletage is going to fly out and take out somebody's eye...and how much money do you think she spends every year on bikini waxes?? (hehe) I'll spare everyone the feminist rant here...

One last question about Sage, what are those angled lines under her eyes, are they tattoos or does she just have *really* sharp cheekbones?

It also suddenly struck me that Beast hasn't been around (yes I'm a little slow!) because he was sent back to the X-Mansion after he got beat up by Vargas. So is he permanently off the X-Treme team now or is he just there temporarily to recuperate?

And finally, I thought Davis Cameron was supposed to have powers too...is it just that he hasn't discovered them yet or was I misinformed?

~Ann

Overall I enjoyed it. There were a few nitpicks (Bishop's new lady's friend's bike for one - despite all the super stuff in the MU, it has not reached the streets but somehow this girl has a super bike - uh, no) but nothing that killed the story.

~Faith

I've only seen some pages of it - thanks to Alexis who scanned 'em for me - because we're only on XXM #5 in sunny SA, but I enjoyed them a great deal. Have some comments and questions even. :)

The Gambit\Rogue illusion was charming, and, as more than one member has commented, it was a pity that it wasn't real.

However, as a ploy, the whole thing was brilliant. (It's the same pleasure\pain principle as was used in the last issue, actually. Take her to both ends of the emotional spectrum.) Using Rogue's impulsiveness and temper against her was very smart. Still, you have to think that LM must also be controlling her mind in some other way for her not to be able to see the illogicality and irreality of the events happening after her smoochies with Remy. She can't touch him. She knows that. So, why would she think the remainder of the events happened?

That, and she should know she has better dress sense than that eeeeeeeeeevil, fuschia outfit. Bleech.

On another note, do you think Lady Mastermind was Gambit throughout that illusion? I've heard some people suggest it, but I don't think it's likely. I think the last panel is just a clever visual way of comparing the illusion and the reality. Why do I say that? They kissed. LM would have been absorbed, which wouldn't bode well for her plans. Also, LM can generate solid illusions - see her holding the body of Thunderbird. Anyway, expect to see some shoujo ai and positive yuri generated as a result of the scene.

Finally, why did Remy need Red Lotus to carry him down the building? He is as agile as Red Lotus himself. And he would have got a softer landing. (No offense to Salva, but Remy is not superstrong or invulnerable. His skull or spine would have been cracked in any landing that buckled a car.) And it didn't deviate from tradition in that two, heroic characters who fight on first meeting will always team-up. It's one of the unalterable laws of comics! :)

So, I saw enough to make me very, very eager to get the whole ish in my hands.

~Karen

X-Treme X-Men 6

I'm just going to hit some things, for full details, read the book. =)

This was an enjoyable issue. And there was lots of things going on all at once in this issue. Bishop's continuing investigation on the murder. Sage being at the "home" base, interesting to note, she's drinking water but says the wine is excellent. I missed that the first time through the book.

Storm and Neal are at the beach checking on the Camerons (children of Warbeck) Nice scenes, and Neal is really starting to have a personality. Davis is drowning, Storm saves him using her power, looked cool. Heather sees this and things its cool. Neal's use of his power was fun.

Rogue and Gambit are tied up. The "Examiner" is torturing them using acupuncture), Red Lotus doesn't like it. The Examiner knocks out Red Lotus, Gambit creates a diversion, Rogue is able to free herself and they get dressed, and take Red Lotus with them. Now, this scene is a little far fetched, but I liked it anyway.

Sage figures out that she is seeing an illusion from Lady Mastermind who is Regan Wyndgarde and Shaw knocks Sage out.

(Shaw and Wyndgarde look very similiar to Vagas and one of the twins - wouldn't that be a weird twist?)

Anyway, Storm and Bishop have contact with Rogue and Sage. So she's meeting up with Bishop to find out the problem is, while Neal will stay with the Camerons.

And the story continues next issue.

Not too wordy, it was a pretty good issue, I enjoyed it, enough to re-read it. =)

~ Alexis

I thought it was okay. I liked the Bish and Sage parts the most. I like the Camerons too Much better than Red Lotus, especially character-wise.

Erm....did anyone else notice the hair on Storm, Sage and Heather and then on Rogue??? I think Rogue's getting the short end of the stick.

~ M

I definitely agree this was a good issue. My favorite parts were those with sage. First because she needs some characterization and history workd done on her and second just because the whole concept of her perceptions being played with was done very well.

I have to admit that Storm and Neal with the Camerons didn't do much for me one way or another except to allow Neal to finally use his power himself but I like Heather as a possible addtion way way better than Red Lotus despite that the team really doesn't need any more female members. She's at least down to earth so that would be different for this team (like CeCe was) while Red Lotus so far is every asian "nice guy" heir to a gangster cliche so far.

However, what I fun in as a character fan in X-Treme #6 is now Rogue is in her element (direct confrontation) and she handles it wonderfully. Both characters are obviously trying to escape but like Gambit when Rogue gets her chance is when she makes her move not when everyone is looking on and though we don't see it she must signal Gambit that she now has more movement (and a percentage of her powers per Claremont at X-Fan) for him to smile to get Examiner to then focus on her and give her a weapon to take Examiner out of the picture as she thanks him for that. She then frees Gambit (uses her mouth to pull the needle out of his back so he can use his powers and he in turn frees her).

Up until that point they act like very coordinated partners - But then the dynamic changes without a word. It's obvious Rogue is in charge and Gambit easily conceeds to her lead. He tells her of what he finds and she starts making decissions on what to do next. I think this fits perfectly with both of them. Gambit doesn't like leadership and like when they were in space he readily follows Rogue's in battle (meaning I think he does respect her battle kills a lot though he might object to her being too trusting at times) and Rogue has at least grown in this area where she is more confident with leadership, will fall into that mode easily and I think would like some more responsibility in that area.

They also have an honest moment where Rogue does admit (though she doesn't want to and didn't out loud) she was worried he really did do something despite her protests to Storm and Bishop and he tells her honestly (in a way to show he understands she wants to hear this directly though that's not his comfortable personality trait without joking - a nice attempt to show he's growing as a character) that he really doesn't know what's going on or had anything to do with it. Then it's over and done and they move on (ie whatever).

To me though the Sage part was the best part of this issue, another major plus with this issue is that it did have some of the best "down-time" (despite the circumstances) solemn Gambit and Rogue interaction in awhile. They are very open and do seem to understand each other well here.

Nice to see a Gambit moment I enjoyed. in an overall story that's been quite fun all in all.

~ Faith

X-Treme X-Men 5

Rogue is posing similar questions to the ones I have noted to others.

This alone made me very happy. For this to be taken seriously, these questions need to be asked by someone. Rogue is ideal because she did see what it did to Destiny and Mystique.

And I see that I was right that Storm is doing this to get the diaries to use not just to keep them away from Xavier. She lied to the others.

Rogue's a bit more "in-your-face" than I'd like but at least she's showing her stress in other ways besides complaining and over more than one issue.

What's more, she's backing Remy up like her personality use to be about those she's close to and it's X-treme that goes out of Rogue's concern for Gambit not because he asked them to help. Thank goodness. Gambit actually seems to be taking care of himself fine until he goes to check in with Rogue over her taking the direct approach.

And their interaction is warm and charming - just like an old familar couple - as they are compared to everyone else on this team. Gambit and Rogue should know each other better than others by now.

I would like to know why Gambit's not with the other X-Men. Fight with Xavier? Has he gone back to helping people his way instead of with the X-Men since the people he considers family aren't with the group he was allowed to stay with? I have a hard time buying he's just become a thief for profit again after all this time as an X-man.

So the character interaction feels really right for a change. I only had a few gripes/comments:

Anyone but me getting a some laughs out of Bishop's new personna? Seeing him play detective and hearing him say things like "I take nothing for granted, I challenge presumptions, etc." and comparing that to the complete analysis-impaired character he was when he showed up always gets me chortling hysterically. Someone has got to ask him when he suddenly was implanted with the brain of a detective as compared to a street cop or leader/fighter that he became in his book. Not that it's bad, but it is a shock. It really needs to be more aquired skills - I hate instant anything.

Also Rogue has touched Bishop and been in his head way back with the Phlanx - remember her seeing the comments with the Witness? It's only Sage she hasn't touched and note Sage's reaction to what Rogue might find out if she did - nice touch there.

And anyone notice how easy it is for villains to suddenly nullify powers when it's needed? Why can't the X-Men do that?

As well as Rogue seems to remember that she's lost them fine until she so conveniently needs to kiss a villain/hero so she can either be saved or like it.

Lastly for yet another laugh, Red Lotus has fashion sense to match his ability to choose a decent name - which is none. Are those chaps? And he's a super Asian martial artist to boot! With the Princess Bride comment, so far this guy is hitting on all my overdone skills/plot device/hope he dies but know he won't cyclinders. If his help for Rogue is to try to aid her by teaching her meditation techniques and "inner peace" I will scream. Also note the tatoos and them being much like the ones that Vargas' twin henchmen have.

Otherwise, I like it, even Storm expanding on her seeing weather forces as energy to seeing the world as energy around her. Nice touch there as well.

~Faith

I truly enjoyed this issue. While there were some things I didn't like, overall, I thought it was very good.

I think it was great that Rogue wanted to help Gambit and that she talked the team into helping him. I like the fact that Storm knows Gambit can take care of himself.

Rogue did come across a little strong, even a bit over the top, but it was a good balance to Bishop.

I can see what your point Faith about Bishop getting a brain. Its not that bad, and it gives some balance. One guy (Thunderbird) not knowing whats going on is enough. I like how the did some history characterization through conversation and searching for clues.

Gambit came across well. Kudos to CC for that.

Yes, the nullifying of powers is annoying. But I suppose necessary for the set up of the next issue. But ... its seems anyone can do it. Just have a button put in everywhere you go, and don't worry about it. Like a bug zapper.

I will admit her kissing the villian was annoying. And of course she liked it. *shakes head* I'm not even going to get started on that.

Storm being in charge was done very well. The whole Goddess thing is a bit much. But ... what can ya do.

I still enjoyed this issue a great deal.

~Alexis

X-Treme X-Men 4

I really enjoyed this issue. Gambit looked great. He played his enemy and his enemy played him. Very interesting to see how it will turn out.

I'm also curious as to *how* Vargas got that diary. Wouldn't of Destiny known he would? After all she sent the care package and all. Maybe I missed something.

Goodness, some work was done on Bishop this issue. I didn't know his name was Lucas. And his family tree certainly looks different now. With Gateway being his Granddaddy.

Rogue's "rogue" power still doesn't work for me. Now the receding hairline because she absorbed Gateway, then her hair returns to normal? C'mon. Enough already. Well at least we didn't hear or see the claws.

I do like Vargas. He is one heckeva enemy. He oozes evil. He seems to be awfully strong. Sheesh, he's faster than Gambit. I don't expect Gambit to out do everyone, but one would of thought he might of gotten a swat in with his bo staff before Vargas had him by the throat. But the exchange was classic Gambit. He would try and talk his way out of it.

Gambit letting him win at the cards, good move, making his enemy like him. He worked his "mojo". It seems there is something there after all to the charm power, CC seems to want utilize it. Very nice.

Gambit checking on the team, and them not knowing, again, nice touch.

I can't wait till next issue, and I haven't felt that way about a Marvel comic in some time.

~Alexis

I very much liked this issue aftert getting to read it. It's easily the best issue so far as it begins to progress the original plot of the book and sets up Destiny as much of the support (everyone seems to have missed the whole comments about the fact that what Destiny left Rogue was enough to support the team for some time to come. Small wonder a precog could make a good deal of money).

Her support means one hopes that she foresaw that they "have" to chance to do what needs to be done. I hate the idea that the diaries are a complete "destiny" as it were. I would like if some books contridicted others. If the books are the exact future then what difference would it mean if they get them or not? They are just fulfilling what's already set and leads to my annoyance at bleak future stories. I have a hard time buying into the all or even most futures are horrible and bleak. I'd rather there be one that Destiny knew needed to be avoided and that what she and Mystique tried but later Destiny "saw" that it was only heading toward it with their actions and others had a better chance than she and Mystique, but Mystique could never accept that until recently. And I too hope that Destiny realized the only way to do this was a quest for the books becuase her just doing it as a "game" is utterly silly for something so important. There is always a problem when one of the characters (ala Rogue in this case) points out that is makes no sense if Destiny knew they were coming for her to hide the information they need. It goes beyound stupid unless there is a good reason for it. It's one of the big flaws of the story. If these dairies are so true and so important and Destiny knew this, why hide them from herself and Mystique unless she foresaw Mystique having them or the X-treme team getting them too fast as creating the problem they are trying to prevent which it seemed Mystique was doing?

And hurray, Gambit did look very good in this issue overall. Gambit's reaction to the card issue was good though Vargas always winning was not convincing ( though I would like to believe Gambit was playing Vargas here I don't think Claremont was trying that. . I do think he's trying to show Vargas as "too good" - which is something I do have a problem with) Just like the rose thing seemed a bit over the top too. I mean I like tough villains but not "I can do anything no matter how impossible it is" villains. What? Vargas stole the book ages ago without breaking the seal and then for some stupid reason decided to put Betsy's rose in it's place later? :) Remember he had the book before Betsy died. And how the heck would Neal know "his" rose from any other? I didn't know they bar coded roses these days. ^_^

I did however love Gambit flirting. Vargas seemed a little taken aback (got to give it to Gambit there's is nothing like insulting a man's "performance" while he holds your life in his hands) because it seems that the twin might have been interested but it was not clear. It should have been because I would have if I was her. Gambit's definitely got that over Vargas in my opinion. Vargas is too worried about his quest. Maybe the twin is lonely. :)

I assume Gambit was lying through his teeth to Vargas about his original reason or why else was he in Spain or after Vargas with X-treme at the same time? A little too convenient.

The Gambit picture in the diary seems very interesting, but I'll wait to see the explanation. I still want to know what Gambit was really doing at Vargas' since he obviously already knew about Betsy. Gambit stealing the diamond makes sense for him to do once there, but if that was the original reason that he was there, I'll be miffed unless Gambit already knows something about the diamond that Vargas doesn't (hmm, the Professor has some diaries, doesn't he? Maybe Gambit looked at them. I would have. Heck knowing what Rogue and Storm were doing I would have copied them.) Also Gambit knew where Storm and the team was going to be. How - unless he knows more than he's letting on?

That said, I do have a hard time buying that a bunch of books that Destiny and Mystique couldn't figure out suddenly Vargas gets one and he's got it all understood, and it all fits with his plans? Uh no, don't think so. It is obvious to me that though I think Vargas did like Gambit, he also was helped to decide to let Gambit go because he suddenly realzed after talking to Gambit that Gambit was in Destiny's book as the drawing and therefore important. I didn't get the impression that Vargas knew that before. If Bishop hadn't said it was Gambit then it really would have been hard to say for sure.

I also didn't like the Rogue and guitar scene though. Not that I have a problem with Rogue knowing how to play the guitar, I like that - I have always suspected Gambit is a mean piano player and I did love the cheeky and funny part of her in this issue (and yeah!! no claws), but the guitar itself at this moment was like - ok, they are on the beach with nothing and somehow Rogue has a guitar? What, did it wash up on the beach? That little tidbit should have waited until they got to Destiny's. Rogue finding her old childhood guitar or something.

Definitely this issue did a lot to humanize and define all the characters and their distinctions (Though I still have a hard time believing Bishop learned to cook as an obsesseive cop but that's ok. He and Gambit can fight over the kitchen and spices which would be an interesting role reversal from the women not cooking). This issue seems to have a purpose and direction more than the first three and that was a welcome change.

However, iIt was still a little wordy in places and we had Vargas explain Gambit to us but at least interestingly Gambit implies Vargas is wrong and he's not the hero type later which is good. I like people to underestimate Gambit because that's what Gambit wants them to do.

I also very much still wish this was inked. It's good but the sad part is I think it could be even better.

And I have one specific complaint about the art. Rogue's hair. When I first saw her sketch I thought Rogues going to get a nice mid length bob that's got style and is practical but every issue, it gets worse. Storm looks like she goes to the beauty queen poofy hair salon while Rogue looks like her hair hasn't been washed, has no body at all, and is so fine it'd nearly disappear while also looking like it was cut with a razor blade most of the time. It's horrible.

Everyone's hair looks better than hers, and I never like the over long Psylocke look before but it's better than Rogue's Only Rogue's silly "wolverine ears" way back was worse. Tessa's is by far the best. Give Rogue's back a an actual "cut" and style with even length and decent bangs and hers could be the best (ala like the AoA Rogue which her hair was the only thing I liked about AoA Rogue) not that stringy lifeless mess.

Leaving my final nitpick with this issue (and they are all mostly nitpicks as I think the story overall was quite good - the best issue so far and it's great that happened with Gambit's return but still they bugged me).

- Bishop as an Australian Aborgine. While I think it's great to have someone of this background on the team I have a hard time believing the *HUGE* Bishop is of pure Aborgine blood. Partial on one of his parents side would have been better, and even if he's of say of partial Aborgine decent (say his father's side), how still could Gateway be his grand father? Bishop is supposedly of the timeline that Gambit may be of his grandparent's age. If Gateway's Bishop's grandfather that would mean Bishop's parents are most likely born already (not necessarily but it would be more realistic). Gateway is old enough to be Gambit's grandfather which means it'd be more useful to at least make him Bishop's great grandfather or even great-great grandfather.

Overall though, this issue has truely peaked my interest in where Claremont will take this storyline, and I hope it doesn't get severely sidetracked too much and moves on then to new ideas. Long unending storylines just get old after awhile. I've complained about Claremont in the past but this was quite good and if he can avoid dragging the story out and keep the characters warm, interesting, and likeable, it could prove very good indeed.

~Faith

Overall, I'd say his best issue yet. Looking back at the first 3 issues, they do feel dated & slow (and wordy!). #4 just felt really *on* to me. Everyone was in better character (raise your hand if you enjoyed Storm being slow at picking a lock!;)) Rogue bitched about her powers, only it didn't come off as whineying for once. The rose in the diary & those last words of Vargas were creepy. The page of Gambit in the diary is just... wow. What could it mean?? Literal? Metaphoric? A ruse? Gambit acting like Gambit again, niiiiiiiiice.

My real only complant about the issue it that we didn't see reactions to what everyone thought about Gambit being tres important to the fate of everything they hold dear. Nada. Not even a thought bubble of Rogue thinking about Gambit. I was dissapointed...

BUY THE DAMN ISUE ALREADY!!! ;D

~ Berry

X-Treme X-Men 3

Claremont has lost his mind. He's also forgotten almost everything he's ever written.

This issue wasn't as unnecessarily wordy as last one (or maybe I've grown numb to it), but there were still extraneous pages of nothing happening for no real reason. Psylocke, having been gutted at the end of last issue by a new villain named Varagas, who also beat the Beast bloody and humiliated Rogue, has died. This issue is supposed to be a testament of the life of Besty Braddock. It really failed.

The tribute takes place as a series of flashbacks of events that never really happened. Psylocke WAS a fashion model, back in the 70's and 80's, before turning Japanese. Claremont was right about that. But was she a special agent of the British Government? No. Special agents of the British Governments are probably trained in some form of hand to hand combat. When Psylocke was introduced, physical combat was her Achilles heel. She was a wimp. This was the woman who, while serving as Captain Britain, had her eyes ripped out. If she was truly a British Special Agent, I suspect that she would have been able to at least call in back up when that occurred. After she joined the X-Men, she was rather bitter about her ineffectiveness in a combat situation-that's why she got so excited about turning Japanese and becoming powerful.

I also think we, as readers, would have been aware had Psylocke been sleeping with Sebastian Shaw at any point. During her trip to the hellfire club, she's also wearing the same dress that Phoenix wore on her first trip there. Ironic, that. There was also not really a need for her to infiltrate the Hellfire Club, since both she and her brother are members of the Hellfire Club. Her fight with Tessa was equally ridiculous. "Compared to them, my power is nothing."

The only member of the Hellfire Club this description applies to would be the Club's current incarnation, led by Selene, or by that brief period when Magneto and Storm served as the White King. I have no doubt that Tessa's able to take down Sebastian Shaw, Harry LeLand, Donald Pierce or Emma Frost. Magneto, Selene, Blackheart and the rest were NOT members during Psylocke's little adventure.

But that's not the worst of the story. The X-Men don't mourn, they talk about mourning. They do get pissed off enough to go hunting Varagas looking for revenge, but that hardly counts. When Jean died, the team mourned. When Thunderbird died, the team mourned. They grieved for Illyana, they grieved for Colossus. About the only thing they did right was call Brian Braddock (although a telephone call to the Otherworld must have been incredibly expensive. Interdimensional phone calls with their limited equipment would be a minor miracle.) Brian and Meggan came and collected the body.

There was also one really glaring continuity error. Bishop commented that Psylocke was barely mentioned in the history books, but Thunderbird is. This is directly contradictory, perhaps even more so than Double-O-Betsy. When Bishop joined the X-Men, he believed Gambit to have been the X-Traitor (who turned out to be Onslaught) for two reasons. 1-Gambit was the last X-Man to join before their deaths at the traitor's hands, AND Gambit bore a striking resemblance to the "The witness known as LeBeau" (whom Lobdell skull f****d into not being Gambit, but that's a different Rant). Obviously, by becoming an X-Man after Gambit, as well as watching several others (Maggot, Joseph, Marrow, Fiz) join the team, he should be well aware that he's either changed the future or is in a different past. Thunderbird in his history books shouldn't be Neal Sharra, or if it is, he joined the team before Bishop did.

So I've e-mailed my store and dropped X-Treme X-Men. I also feel a great swell of pity for anyone who abandoned the core titles in order to pursue continuity, because Claremont has forgotten exactly what he wrote in the first place.

~ Daniel

I really enjoyed this issue and felt it was the strongest X-Treme to date. The story was very gripping and Vargas has become a very real and serious threat. I loved the bit when they realised they were being hunted and that Xavier could be behind it. It gave me chills. I thought the book also did a very nice job of mourning Betsy. Also, the characterizations were great this issue. Sage is becoming quite an intriguing character and Rogue was just plain awesome in this issue. The art was just beautiful as always.

My rating was an 8.5/10

~ Jennifer

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