Written by Jeff Parker
Art by Roger Cruz; Victor Olazaba; Val Staples; & Nate Piekos
Cover Art by Marko Djurdjevic
SUMMARY:
As a 2007 Target exclusive, this 96-page paperback reprints X-Men: First Class # 1-4 from 2006-2007. Told in an episodic format, these four X-adventures recast Professor X (Charles Xavier) and his teen operatives: Cyclops (Scott Summers); Marvel Girl (Jean Grey); Iceman (Bobby Drake); Angel (Warren Worthington III); & the Beast (Hank McCoy) in the present-day.
- “X-Men 101.” Narrated by Iceman’s letter home to his parents, the team tracks an unknown presence on a journey taking them to the Arctic Circle.
- “The Bird, the Beast, and the Lizard.” In the Florida Everglades, Professor X sends Beast and Angel out Lizard-hunting to recover a missing Dr. Curt Connors. Waiting in reserve, Cyclops, Marvel Girl, and Iceman enjoy some beach downtime.
- “A Life of the Mind.” The X-Men are seemingly trapped within Professor X’s twisting nightmare.
- “Seeing Red.” Doctor Strange meets the team, as Cyclops’ visor is crucial to their mission into another dimension vs. an evasive demon.
REVIEW:
Not only re-energizing the original X-Men, writer Jeff Parker’s fresh update devises four terrific tales. Designed for dual appeal to both kids and adult fans, New Beginnings is exactly that. Parker readily grasps these characters’ early ‘60s personas and tweaks them just enough for the 21st Century. In classy support of Parker’s storytelling, the art squad (including the can’t-miss cover image) is in top form. Reminding readers how terrific these X-Men were long before far many excessively convoluted storylines took hold, this creative team delivers an ideal homage.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
Full-page replicas of the covers are included.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars
Note: Even better is X-Men – First Class: Tomorrow’s Brightest. Featuring the same cover, this gorgeous graphic novel (in hardcover and trade paperback form) has these same four issues, plus Issues # 5-8.
