X-Men #10: Fun, fun, fun in the Sun, sun sun

The promise of Scott in a Speedo given in The Crucible was delivered in this issue. Yes, Logan was there. I’m starting out with this, because it was a nice little nod to what has been going on in previous books. Scott, Jean, Logan and ‘the kids’ have hit the beach in Shi’ar Space and left the recently resurrected at home to do some serious drinking. So yes, the Summers are trying to be a family, and Scott has saved room for his older, eviler brother — although The Emperor has (probably intelligently, given everything) chosen to avoid Shi’ar territory.

At home, on the moon, Petra and Sway are enjoying life by dropping as many margaritas as they can stomach, while Vulcan is haunted by dreams of his encounter with an alien who resembles a more competent version of Chrononzon,demon of hell from the Sandman series. This demon informs Vulcan that his one shred of good is a flaw, which he is obliterating, and although the repercussions of this are only hinted at, the set up for the rest of the X-Books is pretty clearly outlined.

The rest of the story is primarily set-up for the rest of the upcoming Empyre books, no more, no less. There are some hints that Krakoa is known to the plant-invaders, and that the new nation is the next target of this very invasive species, but beyond that there is very little left to the book. 

I have to say that these issues of X-Men are being used, primarily, as extended (occasionally infuriating, oftentimes vapid) commercials for the other books. And that’s not even touching (once again) the subject of his treatment of women. Jean plays wifey, in this issue, and Petra and Sway are depicted as drunken, shallow alleycats. Seriously, as someone who was AFAB, this is getting beyond a joke. 

The linework was ok. It was a bit sketchier, even than usual, and the faces of the characters (other than the demon Aliens) looked the same as every other member of their gender. Petra and Sway were interchangeable, beyond costume and hair. The coloring was beautiful, however. Appropriately rich, and shifting according to the climate and emotions of the scene. 

All in all, this issue was largely unsatisfying. And that’s something of a shame, considering the series.