Exceptional X-Men #6
B. Radtz
Recap
Eve Ewing and Carmen Carnero are back at it with the newest issue of Exceptional X-Men, starring Kitty, Emma, Bobby, Bronze, Axo, and Melee, as the newest generation of X-kids in the post Krakoan era for Marvel’s merry mutants. What marks these kids as different compared to the kids over in Uncanny, the post puberty new mutants in X-Men, or the New X-kids who are over exploring the post pubescence that is NYX, these kids seem to wish to just learn how to control their powers and return to their lives before their powers manifested. So let’s get on with this, shall we?
After the last five issues of getting to know the kids, and finding out just exactly who they are, we arrive at this issue where the kids decide not to become dependent on Emma’s financial support, and they go out and find jobs. Not just any jobs, but they become paid interns at the company where Priti (Kitty’s roommate) works. It’s called Verate (that’s pronounced Vare-A-Tay), and it’s like the comic version of 23andme, where people send in their genetic material to find out…how to become the best them that they can be. Whether it be something like weight loss, acne issues, or even mutants, company founder Sheldon Xenos wants to accomplish. But something seems fishy.
Trista and Thao don’t think that what Sheldon wants to accomplish with he states the app and company has set out to do, and voice their objections. While on a walk, Alex and Sheldon are accosted by a couple, trying to rob them. The couple gets physical, and that’s when Alex steps in, and manipulates the thieves' emotions, allowing the two men to leave unscathed. After this incident Alex seems to be a bit more sympathetic towards Sheldon’s goals, but is it because of his altruism? Or is it because he thinks that he relates to him more because both of their mutations have changed their physical appearance that he feels a kinship to Sheldon? The story seems to point to the latter, but it’s not explicit, so we’ll have to wait until the next issue.
Now, unless you sequester yourselves from any type of previews, we all know that Sheldon is actually Mr. Sinister, and his company are genome harvesting the unwitting participants, which is very on point for Sinister. Also, Carnero’s depiction of Sheldon is full of Easter eggs pointing towards Sinister in disguise, like the facial hair, how the horns frame his head, or how the hair on his head is cut, all clever little cues. Carnero’s depiction of the kids is brilliant, and while they’re all young, they’re not depicted as being too young, not too old. Plus Carmen’s Kitty and Emma are top notch. Carnero is one of those artists who I will follow anywhere. Whether it’s on Wonder Woman, X-Men Red, or Captain America, her style really resonates with me, and she improves with every new project she’s on. If I had any complaint, it’s that Kitty’s apartment is a tad too plain, but that’s honestly the most insignificant complaint I could come up with.
Review
Eve Ewing and Carmen Carnero are back at it with the newest issue of Exceptional X-Men, starring Kitty, Emma, Bobby, Bronze, Axo, and Melee, as the newest generation of X-kids in the post Krakoan era for Marvel’s merry mutants. What marks these kids as different compared to the kids over in Uncanny, the post puberty new mutants in X-Men, or the New X-kids who are over exploring the post pubescence that is NYX, these kids seem to wish to just learn how to control their powers and return to their lives before their powers manifested. So let’s get on with this, shall we?
After the last five issues of getting to know the kids, and finding out just exactly who they are, we arrive at this issue where the kids decide not to become dependent on Emma’s financial support, and they go out and find jobs. Not just any jobs, but they become paid interns at the company where Priti (Kitty’s roommate) works. It’s called Verate (that’s pronounced Vare-A-Tay), and it’s like the comic version of 23andme, where people send in their genetic material to find out…how to become the best them that they can be. Whether it be something like weight loss, acne issues, or even mutants, company founder Sheldon Xenos wants to accomplish. But something seems fishy.
Trista and Thao don’t think that what Sheldon wants to accomplish with he states the app and company has set out to do, and voice their objections. While on a walk, Alex and Sheldon are accosted by a couple, trying to rob them. The couple gets physical, and that’s when Alex steps in, and manipulates the thieves’ emotions, allowing the two men to leave unscathed. After this incident Alex seems to be a bit more sympathetic towards Sheldon’s goals, but is it because of his altruism? Or is it because he thinks that he relates to him more because both of their mutations have changed their physical appearance that he feels a kinship to Sheldon? The story seems to point to the latter, but it’s not explicit, so we’ll have to wait until the next issue.
Now, unless you sequester yourselves from any type of previews, we all know that Sheldon is actually Mr. Sinister, and his company are genome harvesting the unwitting participants, which is very on point for Sinister. Also, Carnero’s depiction of Sheldon is full of Easter eggs pointing towards Sinister in disguise, like the facial hair, how the horns frame his head, or how the hair on his head is cut, all clever little cues. Carnero’s depiction of the kids is brilliant, and while they’re all young, they’re not depicted as being too young, not too old. Plus Carmen’s Kitty and Emma are top notch. Carnero is one of those artists who I will follow anywhere. Whether it’s on Wonder Woman, X-Men Red, or Captain America, her style really resonates with me, and she improves with every new project she’s on. If I had any complaint, it’s that Kitty’s apartment is a tad too plain, but that’s honestly the most insignificant complaint I could come up with.
Final Thoughts
Eve and Carmen continues to deliver what is easily the best Mutant title of the From The Ashes era for the X-Men. Giving us some enjoyable, and sympathetic newer characters, like the new kids, as well as giving us a realistic take on the season X-Men Kitty and Emma. Their relationship is depicted very realistic, considering the incredibly tumultuous history together. The book is a testament to Ewing’s ability to tap into who these characters, and make them as well rounded as they can be. I can’t wait to see what comes next.
Exceptional X-Men #6: Strut, Pout, Put It Out…
- Writing - 9/109/10
- Storyline - 9/109/10
- Art - 9.5/109.5/10
- Color - 9/109/10
- Cover Art - 9/109/10
