Astonishing X-Men (2004) #57-58
Duna Haller
Recap
Warbird takes Manhattan! What secret is she hiding, and will it endanger the team?
Review
The first thing you notice while you open this comic is the art. While Perkins was a good fit, Walta just takes this game to the next level (with help from colorists Cris Peter and Dan Brown) drawing precious painting-like art and figures, with city/snow/desert backgrounds that seem to have been taken from an art gallery but that, nevertheless, works on these characters and helps in seeing the reflections of their emotions. We also now, for the two beautiful and realist covers of Phil Noto (although I do miss a little more of surfacing emotion and less art perfectionism in them), this is a story about Warbird and her complications. And then, of course, that story captivates you.
With an opening that explores xenophobia and racism, we already know Liu is going to take us deep into those themes related to Warbird’s complicated story and characterization. The conflict presented in these two issues is the rejection of the different, the incomprehensible, the othered, which we come to learn is a very variable word. Warbird, on Earth, is a Shi’ar, an othered one, a walking danger. And the Fianden, to Warbird, are the other, are danger, are to be destroyed. It’s a mirror into the hate and the hated.
Then, the Fianden uses their weapon on Warbird, and Felix Ruiz’s more coarse and glaring art enters, and the mirror breaks. Warbird discovers art, and that forever changes her character and her approach to that otherness. She even ends this arc profoundly respecting and even loving those that she wished to exterminate. You feel this change in yet another incredible character work.
The difference breaks and the other now has something in common with oneself. This profound humanization of a, at first, “ugly” and painted as “evil” character (by comic codes in those first scenes with the Fianden) works to the point that these two issues hold up that species to a profound and loving end by the time the arc is finished. This happens even though, on the way, we see a selfless sacrifice that somehow bitters this up a little. And the change and challenge to Warbird’s character, as she understands the other and more about herself, is brilliant. There are some things left unexplored in this arc, like how this could possibly relate to Wawbird’s rejection of other cultures and subsequent homophobia, but we’ll get more onto that in next issues. For now, let’s embrace this new Warbird.
Final Thoughts
Astounding and detailed art that rounds up an engaging story about the rejection of otherness and final recognition and closeness. We have a lot to admire, enjoy and learn from these two issues.
Astonishing X-Men (2004) #57-58: A Stranger Turns To Recognition
- Writing - 9.5/109.5/10
- Storyline - 9.5/109.5/10
- Art - 10/1010/10
- Color - 10/1010/10
- Cover Art - 7.5/107.5/10
9.3/10
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