A wonder child will change the world? – review of the comic book “X-Men. Turning points. Messiah complex “, vol. 1

Savior or a threat?

There are not too many mutants left on our planet. Most of them now gather in one of two groups – X-Men led by Scott Summers and Marauders led by Sinister. Although both sides have always been hostile to each other, they are now starting another war with each other. And the cause of its outbreak is an infant who carries the X gene for the first time in a long time. All homo superiors see the newborn as a savior for the breed, but intend to use them in a different way. Also entering the game are the Purifiers, a group of people who hate mutants and want to eliminate them once and for all. In addition, two time travelers with their own plans for the child and Predator X also appear on the stage. Who will ultimately win the battle and what fate awaits the newborn mutant?

Dark vision

X-Men. Turning points. The Messiah Complex is a story that requires you to buy several different comic book series to complete, namely X-Men , New X-Men , Uncanny X-Men and X-Factor. That’s why it has several writers such as Peter David, Mike Carey, Craig Kyle, and Christopher Yost. The main originator and the person overseeing the connection of all threads was the multiple Eisner award winner Ed Brubaker. His name alone can herald a great adventure! But is it so? Not exactly. First things first. Let’s start with the fact that the comic is incredibly dark and brutal, which just happens to be its big plus. The creators are not afraid to kill a few famous characters, show brutal fight scenes or even massacre the innocent inhabitants of a town. Brubaker also gives us what he is famous for, i.e. meticulously drawn intrigue and a few surprising plot twists. It was also given a chance to show off a few new mutants who will be the strength of the X-Men in the future. Most of them do really well and will surely win the sympathy of the readers. We also have a lot of fast and crazy actions here, falling out differently. Some are really spectacular and suspenseful, but there are also some that are resolved too quickly, are thrown almost forcibly and seem inconsistent. Also, building relationships between the heroes is not the best. While there is a feeling between Emma Frost and Cyclops or a friendship on the Wolverine-Nightrawler line, the conflict between Summers and Xavier is reduced to a few scenes. In fact, it might as well be omitted. These few mistakes and lapses are unfortunately noticeable to the recipient and certainly lower the level of the whole. We also have a lot of fast and crazy actions that fall out differently. Some are really spectacular and suspenseful, but there are also some that are resolved too quickly, are thrown almost forcibly and seem inconsistent. Also, building relationships between the heroes is not the best. While there is a feeling between Emma Frost and Cyclops or a friendship on the Wolverine-Nightrawler line, the conflict between Summers and Xavier is reduced to a few scenes. In fact, it might as well be omitted. These few mistakes and lapses are unfortunately noticeable to the recipient and certainly lower the level of the whole. We also have a lot of fast and crazy actions that fall out differently. Some are really spectacular and suspenseful, but there are also some that are resolved too quickly, are thrown almost forcibly and seem inconsistent. Also, building relationships between the heroes is not the best. While there is a feeling between Emma Frost and Cyclops or a friendship on the Wolverine-Nightrawler line, the conflict between Summers and Xavier is reduced to a few scenes. In fact, it might as well be omitted. These few mistakes and lapses are unfortunately noticeable to the recipient and certainly lower the level of the whole. which are resolved too quickly, are thrown in almost by force and seem inconsistent. Also, building relationships between the heroes is not the best. While there is a feeling between Emma Frost and Cyclops or a friendship on the Wolverine-Nightrawler line, the conflict between Summers and Xavier is reduced to a few scenes. In fact, it might as well be omitted. These few mistakes and lapses are unfortunately noticeable to the recipient and certainly lower the level of the whole. which are resolved too quickly, are thrown in almost by force and seem inconsistent. Also, building relationships between the heroes is not the best. While there is a feeling between Emma Frost and Cyclops or a friendship on the Wolverine-Nightrawler line, the conflict between Summers and Xavier is reduced to a few scenes. In fact, it might as well be omitted. These few mistakes and lapses are unfortunately noticeable to the recipient and certainly lower the level of the whole. In fact, it might as well be omitted. These few mistakes and lapses are unfortunately noticeable to the recipient and certainly lower the level of the whole. In fact, it might as well be omitted. These few mistakes and lapses are unfortunately noticeable to the recipient and certainly lower the level of the whole.

A mix of styles

The Marvel comic in question had not only many writers but also cartoonists. They were Marc Silvestri, Billy Tan, Scot Eaton, Humberto Ramos and Chris Bachalo. Of course, each of them had their own idea of ​​how to portray the characters. Admittedly, it is interesting to be able to see different styles and portray the same characters. Of course, it is impossible not to recognize Wolverine in any case, Storm, Gambit or also less known mutants entering the universe, but at the same time even the greatest layman will notice the differences between the individual notebooks. Some of them are really minor. Several artists decided to present us the X-Men and their enemies as realistically as possible, taking care of every detail on their faces and in the background. Unfortunately, there have also been a few less expressive clashes in which we have to guess what we are currently looking at. However, I liked what Ramos presented in New X-Men the most. His line is a bit more cartoonish, youthful and adds a breath of freshness to the album. He’s more colorful than his colleagues, and less dark. Despite this, he also does not avoid brutal scenes, and we get a bit caricatured, but how beautiful (however beautiful it sounds) tripe!

A few words about the release

X-Men. Turning points. The messiah complex was released in Poland by Egmont as part of the Marvel Classic series . The history itself is extremely important both for the homo superior itselfas well as for the entire universe, so we should be glad that it also came to our country. Another plus is the introductory words written by Kamil Śmiałkowski, who introduces us to the events taking place at the moment. Thanks to this, we can accompany the heroes in their actions. Of course, also putting together all the notebooks scattered across different series and arranging them in chronological order is another thing for which publishers deserve praise. Additionally, at the end you will find several alternative covers, notes about individual groups, as well as a bonus in the form of a comic book description. This can be a very useful thing for all those who would like to create their own album someday.

A strong start

The comic in question is sure to be appreciated by Marvel fans. For fans of the X-Men group, it is even a must-have. It contains key elements for all mutants from the universe. And although history did not avoid a few mistakes, it should be considered successful. By the way, it awakens our appetite before continuing the adventure. And this has already been announced and is to be released this year. So I look forward to the Messiah’s War !