Marauders #9: How To Firewall A Pyro

What starts as a mindbending Spring Break style welcome home for the Marauder is soon revealed to be just mind manipulation. At first it isn’t even clear who is being fooled with the reveal that Jean hasn’t been looking for a fourth for her ‘throuple’ after all. After yet more misdirection and when all is said and done Gerry Duggan proves there is always room for over the top explody fun. Although I had been hoping for a real explosion that not only would have cured Pyro of his misguided tattoo but also fulfilled a gory need I’ve had since Inner Space, it was satisfying to give Yellowjacket the idea that he is making a daring escape, as we see Pyro is let in on it too. Which only adds to the humor.
And I had a real laugh when he called them tiny little hate goblins. Perfect. But in the midst of it there is some inevitable tragedy. This was not unexpected from many quarters but we are still keen to see how Kate returns. And return she MUST!!! And as Emma delivers the news to the plotting children (and misguided Chen Zhao) that their plan failed all I wanted was for Pyro to get some payback. He was so right, he’s finally found a place on the side of the angels and right off the bat he’s compromised. This to me gives him some credibility and shows he has the right attitude. Even if he does revel a little too much in the chaos. And I can relate as Emma gives us some more nautical speak.
The contrasting mood is a welcome one after the tragic revelation of last issue. And though it was touched upon here it wasn’t done in a heavy handed way or ignored. The right balance was struck. This was also felt in the frenetic style of the art. Where last issue was more pensive still imagery and heartfelt comforting scenes between Storm and Emma, here we had high energy to get the plot moving on. And every panel was alive in drama. From the fake out of the arrival of Pyro, to the similarly deceptive death scenes and shoot out with Bishop. The pathos and drams was also perfectly on show as he arrives at the shore to wrap his coat around a visibly annoyed White Queen. And the menace is perfectly displayed as Emma and Pyro melt out of the shadows in the lair of the Verandi villains to deliver their message.
With the datatext not only mentioning a party in both Beast and the X-Desk notes there is also another mention of the Rio Verde Morlocks….I wonder how long it will be before they play a more active part? And where is Tyger Tiger in all this power play in Madripoor? A fun issue all round, with the bawdy mind games played by Emma to fool Yellowjacket into thinking the Verandi plot had worked. But the underlying issue of the inability to resurrect the Red Queen have deeper implications. Despite Emma making a show of force to the Homonis Verandi brats it’s clear things have taken a toll. I can only imagine how she reacts when the truth comes out about Shaw’s place in events.