You Won’t Believe Which Astonishing X-Men Run Reigns Supreme

by

The title “Astonishing X-Men” has become one of the most esteemed in X-Men lore. Its first appearance was during “The Age of Apocalypse”, replacing “Uncanny X-Men”. In 1999, it appeared as a three-issue miniseries that established “The Twelve”, marking the end of the X-Men in the ’90s. However, the most renowned “Astonishing X-Men” series emerged in 2004 when Marvel commissioned Joss Whedon and John Cassaday to create a new flagship X-Men title. This series, known for its exceptional X-Men stories, was particularly appealing to new fans, emulating the charm of the ’80s “Uncanny X-Men”. Despite being overshadowed by Whedon and Cassaday’s “Astonishing X-Men”, their work still ranks high among X-Men comics. Yet, it wasn’t the best run on “Astonishing X-Men”. That honor goes to Warren Ellis’s run from issues #25 to #35, a short stint that doesn’t receive the recognition it deserves.

Warren Ellis was once highly esteemed in the world of comics, but his behavior towards female fans and colleagues recently led to him being removed from public view. Yet, this doesn’t mean that all of his work should be discarded, particularly his 10 issues of Astonishing X-Men. Ellis’s Astonishing series built upon the momentum of Morrison’s New X-Men and took it to an even higher level. The stories “Ghost Box” and “Exogenetic”, along with two accompanying miniseries, are exceptional pieces of work that surpassed previous efforts. Ellis’s run on the X-Men series demonstrates just how revolutionary a comic book about the X-Men can be.

Ellis’s Astonishing X-Men Is a Masterpiece of Superhero Sci-Fi

During a period of transition for the X-Men, Ellis’s “Astonishing X-Men” arrived. The previous long run by Whedon and Cassaday had concluded, and the X-Mansion had been lost. The team relocated to San Francisco, where mutants faced greater danger than ever before. Unlike its predecessor, Ellis’s “Astonishing” needed to establish this new phase for the team. “Ghost Box,” a unique story, departed significantly from typical X-Men narratives by focusing on the X-Men’s encounters with alternate realities. When Beast discovers an unusual characteristic in the deceased mutant’s gene, the X-Men soon realize that the situation is far more complex than they initially suspected. This leads them to a cemetery of spaceships and a clandestine facility in China, ultimately revealing a friend entangled in their own self-created war.

From the start, when Armor’s tweet appeared on the Marvel Universe’s version of Twitter, it was clear this X-Men tale would be unlike any other. Kick-off, Ellis skillfully portrayed the bond among the X-Men, and throughout, the narrative is filled with clever dialogue and character interactions. The story avoids mimicking past X-Men narratives while remaining faithful to its rich history. The comic delivers superb sci-fi action, leveraging classic X-Men themes to offer a unique journey for readers. Although “Ghost Box” revisits familiar X-Men themes, Ellis creatively reinvents them. Collaborating with Simone Bianchi, the story benefits from Bianchi’s distinctive artwork, which adds depth and immersion. Scenes like the starship graveyard, Tian’s hidden facility, and the villain’s lair showcase impressive design elements that captivate readers. Bianchi’s character portrayals are outstanding, effectively conveying Ellis’s dialogue. The villains are another highlight, with Bianchi’s style creating terrifying yet well-designed adversaries. The blend of art and words in this story is remarkable, echoing the success of Ellis’s work on Astonishing. Both tales are visually stunning.

Exogenetic”

In this latest installment of the X-Men series, we find a fresh twist on their history as deceased mutants resurface, only to metamorphose into terrifying bio-Sentinels bent on the team’s destruction. This sets the stage for an intense manhunt, targeting a mutant unlike any they’ve encountered before – one driven by an unyielding desire to eliminate the X-Men due to their perceived beauty in contrast to his own ugliness.

“Exogenetic” launches with a thrilling space station action sequence and maintains that high-octane tempo throughout. It’s non-stop action from start to finish, showcasing the X-Men as the epitome of an action-packed superhero team. The most captivating aspect of the book is undoubtedly the villain’s motivation. Despite being the most beautiful mutants on the planet, the X-Men often view their lives as burdensome. This contrasts starkly with the existence of other mutants who face far greater hardships. The villain aims to eradicate the team because he envies their beauty and despises his own lack thereof – a concept that long-time X-Men fans will find intriguing, especially as they witness how the X-Men grapple with this unique adversary.

Jimenez’s artwork beautifully complements the narrative in this story. The bio-Sentinels are grotesque creatures of immense horror, and the monsters derived from the Brood and Krakoa only intensify that. Jimenez delivers intricate, smooth action sequences that consistently leave readers in awe. Moreover, Jimenez’s ability to depict the aesthetic beauty of the X-Men, who are portrayed as the most stunning human beings in comic book history, aligns perfectly with the storyline where their attractiveness is central to the plot. Each panel is a visual delight, with Jimenez’s pencils, influenced by George Perez, capturing every tiny detail. Despite Bianchi and Jimenez having distinct art styles, they both suit their respective narratives flawlessly. Ellis has consistently worked well with artists, and his tenure on Astonishing X-Men demonstrates this. The titles Astonishing X-Men: Ghost Boxes and Astonishing X-Men: Exogenesis are exceptional stories. Ghost Boxes delves into the central themes of the story, revealing what transpired in alternate realities when they faced the same threat as the 616 X-Men, with artwork by Alan Davis, Adi Granov, and Kaare Andrews. Andrews and Ellis collaborated again for Exogenesis, a thrilling narrative that unfolds as a group of potential new mutants emerge in a rural African village. It’s an exhilarating story, one that blends the concepts from “Ghost Box” and “Exogenetic”, integrates them with the current mutant landscape, and takes readers on a rollercoaster ride.

Ellis’s Astonishing X-Men Never Got the Credit It Deserved

Warren Ellis’s tenure on “Astonishing” coincided perfectly for it to be underrated. Whedon and Cassaday’s “Astonishing” was a massive success; although its prolonged delays were detrimental, fans consistently received exceptional narratives. Ellis’s “Astonishing” had the challenging task of following in the footsteps of Whedon and Cassaday, and it never managed to outshine their run. However, the twist is that Ellis’s run on “Astonishing” surpasses its predecessor. Whedon and Cassaday’s “Astonishing” was reminiscent of Claremont’s work and, despite being excellent, it didn’t feel like it was breaking new ground. On the other hand, Ellis’s “Astonishing” always seemed innovative, guiding the X-Men towards fresh territories that harmonized with their history.

Many readers are hesitant to explore Ellis’s latest work due to his past actions, which is understandable. However, since the book is out of print yet can be found on secondary markets, purchasing it won’t financially support Ellis. Despite not meeting the sales success of his previous works, Ellis’s “Astonishing” undeniably surpassed them in quality.

Read More

2025-04-12 23:10