Tag: 12

A Look Back at X-Men Adventures Season II #6 (1994)

A Look Back at X-Men Adventures Season II #6 (1994)

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Disclaimer: This is my original work with details sourced from reading the comic book and doing personal research. Anyone who wants to use this article, in part or in whole, needs to secure first my permission and agree to cite me as the source and author. Let it be known that any unauthorized use of this article will constrain the author to pursue the remedies under R.A. No. 8293, the Revised Penal Code, and/or all applicable legal actions under the laws of the Philippines.

Welcome back, superhero enthusiasts, 1990s culture enthusiasts, X-Men fans and comic book collectors! Today we revisit the 2nd series of X-Men Adventures which was the literary adaptation of the popular X-Men animated series of the 1990s.  

First introduced in 1990s comics published by Marvel, Gambit (Remy LeBeau) quickly emerged as one of the most popular members of the X-Men. He always looked cool, his power to charge cards (and other objects) into dangerous weapons, and his combat styling were really fascinating to see. He also has a personality that is very unique and mysterious at the same time. Eventually Gambit got his own spotlight in one of the episodes of the animated series.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at X-Men Adventures Season II , published by Marvel Comics in 1994 with a story written by Ralph Macchio and drawn by John Hebert.

The cover.

Early story

The story begins with Gambit flying away from X-Men headquarters using a mini-aircraft. He is clearly on the pursuit for something. Rogue tells Wolverine and Jean Grey that their teammate received a message from New Orleans and he has to help a certain sibling who is in trouble. While speeding through the air, Gambit remembers what happened several years prior when he was part of the thieves guild. He remembered the moment Bobby became the chosen one among the thieves…

Quality

Wolverine, Rogue and Jean Grey fall down and encounter the thieves.

Anyone who followed the stories of Gambit in the X-Men comic books should be aware that there is a lot more to the past of the character than meets the eye. This comic book is a dramatization – which the animated series did – of Gambit’s involvement with a guild of thieves in Louisiana and what happens when the threads and personalities from his past return.

Upon returning to Louisiana, Gambit learns that the feud between the thieves and assassins has turned violent. Complicating matters further is an exchange the assassins want involving Bobby, the sacred tithe the thieves have and Gambit himself.

As expected, Gambit’s personality develops deeply as the story went on. The changes in him manifest when he encounters key characters from his past (example: Bella Donna) and how unfortunate events from the prior years impact him in the present. In short, this is a portrayal of Gambit that is clearly the most intriguing yet in the animated series.

Visually, John Hebert performed a good job visualizing the characters. While the X-Men are recognizable as before, Hebert’s art style gave the other characters a unique look that is gritty and sometimes creepy to see. I should mention that Hebert’s visual interpretation of Rogue reaction’s about Bella Donna described as Gambit’s woman is a great touch.

Conclusion

Young Gambit/Remy as a thief in Louisiana.

X-Men Adventures Season II (1994) is a good read and it will delight X-Men fans who are avid followers of Gambit. This one has a nice mix of twists, action, suspense and the theme about the so-called ghosts from the past coming back to haunt some. To see more of Gambit and his Louisiana legacy, you have to read the official X-Men comic books (example: the X-Men/Ghost Rider crossover tale during the time of Jim Lee) plus the Gambit mini-series of the early 1990s. Consider this X-Men Adventures comic book a creative appetizer that happens to be fun to read.

Overall, X-Men Adventures Season II (1994) is recommended.

+++++

Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. If you want to support my website, please consider making a donation. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco/.

A Look Back at X-Men Adventures #12 (1993)

A Look Back at X-Men Adventures #12 (1993)

carlocarrasco

Disclaimer: This is my original work with details sourced from reading the comic book and doing personal research. Anyone who wants to use this article, in part or in whole, needs to secure first my permission and agree to cite me as the source and author. Let it be known that any unauthorized use of this article will constrain the author to pursue the remedies under R.A. No. 8293, the Revised Penal Code, and/or all applicable legal actions under the laws of the Philippines.

Welcome back, superhero ans, 1990s arts and culture enthusiasts, X-Men fans and comic book collectors! Today we revisit the X-Men Adventures monthly series – the first series specifically – which was the literary adaptation of the popular X-Men animated series of the 1990s.  

If you are familiar with the classic lore of X-Men literature, you will remember Warren Worthington as Angel who is one of the original members of the X-Men introduced in 1963. That same character would eventually get involved with the super villain Apocalypse and gain a deadlier form as Archangel.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at X-Men Adventures , published by Marvel Comics in 1993 with a story written by Ralph Macchio and drawn by Andrew Wildman.

The cover.

Early story

The story begins inside a facility on Muir Island where genetic experimentation happens and draws mutants who seek a cure for the curse that makes them different. Already four mutants have arrived and were ready to undergo a grand experiment. The doctor in charge of the facility – Gottfried Adler – has already disappeared and in his place is the very powerful mutant Apocalypse.

Apocalypse succeeded in turning four mutants into his Four Horsemen composed of Archangel, War, Famine and Pestilence. For Apocalypse, the age of chaos is at hand.

Meanwhile at Charles Xavier’s School For Gifted Youngsters, the leisure session of Jubilee, Gambit, Jean Grey and Rogue suddenly ends when Storm grabs their attention and shows them TV footage that Professor X wants them to see.

TV news footage shows an important meeting happening in France for the conventional weapons disarmament. Moments later, Apocalypse crashes into the meeting with his Four Horsemen causing harm…

Quality

Rogue takes on Archangel while Wolverine is busy dealing with Apocalypse.

This comic book marks the emergence of Apocalypse as a tremendous force of evil following his series debut in issue #10 and short appearance in issue #11. As the main antagonist, Apocalypse – who is obsessed with survival and progress – really comes out in full force against humanity with his Four Horsemen as his deadly enforcers.

The threat of Apocalypse and his Four Horsemen towards humanity is clearly the main feature of this comic book and Macchio’s script has a good structure for the narrative. This makes the story easy to follow while still presenting a lot of details that can be absorbed efficiently. Apocalypse’s presence not only drew the X-Men to spring into action, it also drew Charles Xavier’s own fear that they would face an enemy more dangerous than Magneto.

While the main plot is consistently intense, this comic book also serves as a continuation of Rogue’s personal pursuits since issue which is worth reading. Along the way, Archangel (whose new appearance started at the end of issue ) notably got enough share of the spotlight and is easily the more captivating member of the Four Horsemen. The way Warren Worthington is portrayed here is clearly different from his literary version and that means you should not expect Professor X to claim him as one of his original X-Men members.

When it comes to the visuals, Andrew Wildman’s artistic style is present but many of the drawings here look rushed. In fairness, Wildman succeeded in making Apocalypse and the Four Horsemen look really threatening to human civilization thanks to his nice execution of visual dynamism in certain pages.

Conclusion

Professor X reveals his fear of Apocalypse to his team during their meeting.

X-Men Adventures (1993) is a pretty good read thanks to the strong script by Macchio based on the teleplay from the animated series. It concluded the Muir Island saga in a very satisfying manner which includes putting Rogue’s subplot with solid closure (complete with a moral lesson about accepting her team as her family). By the time I reached the end of the comic book, it was clear that Apocalypse is a major antagonist with the long-term in mind.

Overall, X-Men Adventures (1993) is recommended.

+++++

Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. If you want to support my website, please consider making a donation. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco/.