X-Men #8: A Beast is a beast, if ya know what I mean…

It’s the beginning of the first big crossover between the two flagship X-Men books of the “From the Ashes” line of books, as Jed MacKay, Gail Simone, Ryan Stegman and David Marquez’s X-Men and Uncanny X-Men titles. With both books focusing on both veteran X-Men, as well as new mutants springing up all around the globe, as mutants are no longer with a homeland. With MacKay’s team based out of Alaska, and focusing on the new mutants on the west coast, while Simone’s Uncanny team hanging out in the Bayou. So let’s get on with the book already…

Jed MacKay and Ryan Stegman’s book has thus far focused on Cyclops, and his team that includes a Beast from the Steve Englehart days, where Hank was a part of the Avengers (think Korvac Saga), Magik, Juggernaut, Kid Omega, Kwannon, and Temper, who have been building their own base in Alaska on the Summers family estate, as well as out of an old Sentinel making factory, as they were dealing with new mutants popping up around the globe. What makes these mutants different is that they’re much older than most newer mutants are already adults, where most new mutants’ powers usually manifest in adolescence.

The issue focuses on Beast, Jubilee, and Calico from the Uncanny X-Men book. The Beast  who is a prisoner at Graymalkin, appears to be getting transferred to Terre Verde, where the Krakoan Beast from the X-Force book committed genetic atrocities against the people of that country, trying to make them more pliable to an alliance with the fledgling Krakoan government. Beast transformed himself from what was once a jovial, and brilliant scientist who has been an X-Man, an Avenger, and even a Defender, to this monster that is indistinguishable from Dark Beast from the Age of Apocalypse, or Mr. Sinister. Just bereft of any kind of ethical behavior, forcing the team to bring a Beast from a long lost backup. Unfortunately the Beast from that time is being held responsible for his future counterparts actions.

The crossover seems to feel kinda like the Schism era of the X-Men, where there are two very distinct ideologies on what exactly the X-Men should be. While the ideologies depicted then are far more divergent, you can still tell that each team are contrasting from each other. The cover of the comic is very misleading, as the majority of the action shown here is just between the Beast, and the prison guards. The writers haven’t exactly defined why these two teams are coming to blows with each other, which is a problem you get with all of these hero vs hero fights. It’s just a staple that you’ll have to overlook in order to enjoy the medium.

MacKay has become one of Marvel’s fastest rising writers, who began with getting some lower rung titles, like his two incredible, yet overlooked runs on Black Cat, to the Amazing Spider-Man during the Beyond era, that focused on Ben Reilly where he returned to the role as Spider-Man, to Moon Knight, Dr. Strange, and eventually the Avengers, and the X-Men. His style is full of humor and wit, and he has a very distinct voice that carries over to each of his books. His efforts on this book has ranged from excellent, to solid craftsmanship, and it’s quickly becoming one of my favorite books. Mix that with Ryan Stegman, whose art I only care for with certain types of characters, has continued to impress me with each new chapter.