Generation X-23 #10: An Ehh-nding

Generation X-23’s concluding issue ends underwhelmingly, with several plot threads and themes left underdeveloped.

Marco Renna’s artwork and Erick Arciniega’s coloring are serviceable at best. Renna’s linework shines with close-up shots of a character’s face. X-Infinite maintains this smug look of exaggerated arrogance on his face at all times, perfectly in line with the characterization that writer Jody Houser has given him. Laura looks sympathetic and sad in nearly every panel; the feeling of regret is drawn on her face. However, the combat is incredibly stiff. The artwork makes these characters look oddly “slow,” for lack of a better word. Panels are very stiff due to a lack of kinetic detail: few leading lines, barely any motion blur, a lack of background.

Issue #10 brings back a character that hasn’t been seen in comics in several years; a character who should pose immense significance to Laura and Gabby. Perhaps a complicated or emotional reunion. Instead, their reunion lasts for about twelve panels. This character’s inclusion is not only lackluster but also redundant. They contribute nothing to the overall plot of this comic, and they do nothing particularly unique either. Any generic mercenary character could’ve taken their role, and the story wouldn’t be altered in the slightest.

Excluding the final few panels, the plot of this issue is fairly unengaging (the final few panels have a bit of classic X-Men charm to them, which is a nice saving touch to end the series on). This issue is essentially a giant action set piece, concluding the storyline between Laura, the Generated, and X-Infinite. However, the lack of engaging artwork really underscores how dull the plot is. X-Infinite’s “philosophy” is just a recycled, watered-down version of Magneto’s philosophy. Laura doesn’t really have any personal connection to X-Infinite, so her triumph just feels inevitable rather than earned. The returning character of significance has never met any of the Generated, so they have no connection. Overall, for the final issue in the series, the major action set piece feels like a middle point with an abrupt conclusion rather than a proper ending.

Thematically, this series as a whole fails to miss the mark. Generation X-23 attempts to present ideas about found family; unfortunately, those themes end up falling flat. These characters lack the necessary nuance to adequately demonstrate more complicated themes. Compare the development of the Generated to the development of the X-Men across the first few issues of Chris Claremont’s run. With the X-Men, the characters don’t get along at first: Cyclops struggles to convince the team to listen to him, Colossus feels isolated, and Wolverine keeps starting fights. It’s only through their adventures do the X-Men learn to love each other. That’s a found family story. In contrast, all of the Generated get along fairly well: they all mostly listen to Laura, the characters interact all the time, and none of the characters have many moments of emotional outrage. Ultimately, the lack of nuance between the members of the Generated leaves the emotional crux of this series feeling empty.