Mystique #1: They’re All True, Especially the Lies

Mystique: a quality of mystery, glamour, or power associated with someone or something.
or:
An air of secrecy surrounding a particular activity or subject that makes it impressive or baffling to those without specialized knowledge.

The second definition works better in my opinion for what Declan Shalvey and the rest of the creative team are trying to do here. Krakoa has fallen etc etc, so what is our favorite blue murder mommy up to? Well it’s a bit of a mystery really, and to be honest I think that’s exactly what Shalvey and co are aiming for. Mystique is on her own personal mission, she moves with purpose, wants something called the Protozoa going so far as luring Maverick and some of his men into trap in Germany by pretending to be Sabretooth because she knows Maverick has intel on it. 10 points to Shalvey for remembering Maverick is from East Germany and throwing in some German into his speech. Mystique’s goals are broadly expressed but not her motivation as she uses her abilities to carve a not so delicate path to whatever she’s after which seems to lead to Nicholas Fury JR.

In contrast we find Nicholas Fury Jr. mired in bureaucracy as the agent in charge of Mutant Tactics, according to the sign on his door, for a very much not what they were S.H.I.E.L.D. A visit form Nick Fury SR. and some information that puts him on the path toward the mystery that is Raven Darkholme. Shalvey makes Fury on Raven’s trail and Raven’s movements themselves a smart contrast that emphasizes the mystery and ruthlessness of a mutant that can be anyone at any time. It also lends itself to reader paranoia which adds to the mystery of what Mystique is actually up to. Did Nick really talk to Nick SR or…?  This adds a fun element to reading the issue. Shalvey also blurs things further with a wood cabin scene where a strange woman who’s face we never see, but has red hair, is shot after Nick and a team charge into the cabin seeking Mystique. There seems to be a very deliberate bit of bait thrown in with a mysterious note about Destiny and what appears to be Destiny’s mask. There’s no way Shalvey killed Destiny (people would riot) BUT it could be a clever way of showing a possible vision where Fury tracking her down could result in someone’s death. See lots of questions and isn’t that what you want from a spy/ espionage thriller with a shape changer in the central roll? It certainly is for me.

As for the art. The most apparent thing for me about this issue, is how Shalvey who has been wearing the writer/artist cap for several projects now, understands how to communicate the story he is trying to tell in a marvelously clean and economical way. The book moves at a flawless pace, Shalvey knows exactly what to put on the page to drive the story along, he’s added a little effect to Mystique’s transformation’s and has bit of fun with her being able to be anyone very early on in the issue when Mystique interrogates Maverick. Colorist Matt Hollingsworth is rock solid on coloring duty, with some particularly great mood lighting for different times of day/evening with various shades of pink and orange. The paneling is very cinematic in style, Shalvey relying fairly heavily on the narrow wide rectangular panel format before breaking that with a splash or more square panel. This combined with his drawing style gives the overall story a clean cinematic feel. Cowles is as always flawless on lettering. The issue reads as a really excellent spy thriller movie, with a great balance of mystery, action and intrigue. Welcome back Mystique, let’s see who survives the experience.