Astonishing X-Men (2004) #48: What Is It About Love?

This issue marks the takeover of the Astonishing X-Men title by X-23/NYX/Monstress writer Marjorie Liu and Captain America‘s Mike Perkins, and the story re-sets itself and its team of outsiders for a promised deep look into the meaning of love in an oppressed life. The opening scene has Northstar’s reflecting on the irrationality of love and the history of it, with a (future) in-fight scene of some X-Men that sets up the intrigue.

Everything in this story is so well navigated and so effectively creates a new status quo that you could imagine you are reading a #1 of a flagship X-title. The domestic life and tender/sexy jokes of Kyle and Jean-Paul, the chemistry between Remy and a tired Cecilia, Wolverine’s anticipated entry, Iceman and Warbird’s stellar appearances; everything feels like it’s building up to something more, and we know very well it’s more than the known villainous gang at the end.

Liu mixes larger-than-life themes and surroundings with sharp noir-ish dialogue and wit in perfect quantities. Except for the briefly appearing, we already know from a bunch of panels where these characters are – emotionally – and their goals. The art is mature, dark and builds great tension, with a fitting team cover by Dustin Weaver and Rachelle Rosenberg. It maybe lacks a little bit of affection and detail, but the characters are credible and their faces and expressions speak volumes as to how they are. This issue screams: you’re here to unravel a mystery about love and mutants. Hold onto your chair.