Mr & Mrs X #7: A Bird On A Wire In The Hand

Yet another stunning cover from Terry and Rachel Dodson, showing this power couple are truly comfortable in each others space and are a team not to be messed with. And the art within was a sight for sore eyes too. The fill in last issue was okay but I do find it distracting when it switches. Yes, it is a common enough occurrence and we should be used to it by now, but it is jarring and takes away from the storytelling and when the medium relies on it as much as comics do it needs to be more linear. So the return of Oscar Bazaldua and Frank D’Armata is a truly welcome one, especially to a story that is so deserving of their style. From the perilous alligator infested cliffhanger setting to the switcheroo of the gumshoe world of PI Remy LeBeau and the fairy tale ending, it takes us on an entertaining romp that doesn’t disappoint or make me want to skip to the next bit. And Frank makes Gambit pop with the colorful explosions of his kinetically charged bostaff and offhand card throwing as well as the ‘defrag’ scene change as Rogue watches her worst nightmare come to pass.

The wacky ‘out of this world’ of Mojoverse is a hard one to pull off for most artists, let alone writers and these two pull it off skillfully. This world is definitely a rewarding one for Oscar too and he eats up the scenery with the changing of setting and is a great fit for the storytelling of Kelly Thompson, they are a marriage made in heaven, almost as much as our titular characters. The imagery of the matrimonial mutants back to back fighting heavies is a harmonious one and to see Oscar and Kelly show them in action is sheer poetry in motion. Theirs is a marriage of style and strength, Gambit dancing around the enemies while Rogue simply makes her presence felt with sheer power.And it’s a testament to him that he not only doesn’t feel emasculated by her superior strength, but he revels in it. And even under the thrall of Mojo and the obvious mind manipulation that seems to have wiped their memories she still refers to their partnership in a telltale way with the “me and mine” comment, proving that even a mind wipe can’t bury her feelings.
I also couldn’t help notice the opening scene reflecting Gambits own volume 5 series and the cover of #15, very nice echoing there. And speaking of references, after last issue and the entrance of Belladonna I am loving the continuation of the film noir theme. Although I don’t see how Moonlighting was the least bit noir, the humor definitely fit the feel of the show itself so I can forgive that, as Mojo was ever the king of twisting things to fit his vision. And the lovebirds had less in common with Maddy Hayes and David Addison and I saw them as more Rick Jarmin and Marieanne Graves of Bird On A Wire, or even Jason Nesmith and Gwen DeMarco of Galaxy Quest as they traverse the air vents.
And….Mojo is back in the Mojoverse? I had thought after Mojo Worldwide he was not only relegated to the sewers but was also still stranded in New York in X-Men Black: Mojo. Also with the development that Spiral received in Uncanny X-Force and her time with Ginny I’d have thought there might have been at least some background there, but she is back with Mojo? I am glad of it though and will not question it again because this is where she truly belongs. But it was nice to see his romance with Ann at least referenced and his exile of Spiral also, even if it wasn’t explained how they both reverted and went home.And Mojo definitely has his mojo back and the threat of him going into “turnaround” was a temporary glitch. As well her discomfort as Mojo threatens her with exile again ensuring all was well with this dysfunctional pair. And was it my imagination or did he even hint he can make her reform to her true original state as Rita Wayward? Spiral and Major Domo are also back where they belong and to see them dealing with the big baby playing with his toys, using his ever maniacal twisted mind to create new scenarios on old themes and watching them both pandering to it is equal parts reassuring and unsettling.

With the inclusion of the Lucky One next issue, in a truly unexpected twist ending only the Spineless One himself could dream up, I am sure there will be much more to come and can’t wait to see how this pans out. With the seamless introduction of so many guest stars so far every issue and introductions to new characters, Kelly is going from strength to strength when it comes to ensemble casts, while still expertly keeping the spotlight on the main stars.