Colossus and Marrow have an Art Attack
Originally Published October 1999
We begin with a lengthy -- and boy do I mean lengthy at 4 pages of a 22-page comic -- recollection of Marrow's time in the pocket dimension where she was raised, fighting dinosaurs and pining for the sewers and whatnot.
That's the past, though. Today, Marrow is at a hotel in Massachusetts, reflecting on how while she may not yet have total control over her mutation, her mutation does not control her. Piotr, meanwhile, is up at dawn to do a little art-ing.
Sarah points out that just as she was getting accustomed to life as an X-Man, the whole team just crumbles for no good reason. Colossus reflects on his own crisis of faith that led to him joining the Acolytes, and how it's possible these things have a way of coming full circle.
Down in Boston, a portrait of Illyana hanging in a gallery (??!) is haunted (!!!) by a mysterious Mihail-like specter. Who could it be??
Marrow reflects on her image-inducer self that she uses to get around --
Ultimately preferring to give one more go at re-sorbing her mutant bone horns to pass. Colossus is supportive (and maybe kinda into it??)
Meanwhile, half a world away, a bunch of modern-day Ancient Egyptians gather to behold the coming of their savior. People...know that Egypt is a real country that just has regular stuff in it, right?
Who is that master? Well, I'm sure we'll all be real surprised when we find out, but right now all we know is that he's working with Deathbird.
Piotr and Sarah take in some culture at the art gallery, with Pete marveling over a representation of the Siberian Steppes that makes him long for home and family, and Marrow criticizing an artist's picture-hanging skills.
From afar, these mutants are being watched by an enigmatic, shadowy, almost Mikhail-esque figure, whose identity remains enshrouded in complete secrecy. Who is it? We may never know.
Eventually, Sarah loses her focus and her bones start to re-emerge, causing a Panic! At the Art Gallery.
Luckily, she remembered to bring her image-inducer with her, so she is easily able to give the freaked-out normies the slip.
Anyway, as is like to happen, a portal opens up and swallows Piotr and Sarah to bring them into an adventure.
They find themselves in the Morlocks' pocket dimension, and who should be their host but -- and I hope you're sitting down because this is definitely going to shock you...
That's right kids, let me get you a towel to mop up that spit-take you just did, because Mikhail Rasputin is back! And he wants Piotr's help with a very special project...
Further Thoughts:
As you may be aware, I have been less than enthused with the way the X-Men comics have been lately. Somehow they just can't seem to get in gear and produce compelling material. The recent events of "The Shattering" have been completely anemic as far as storytelling goes -- the X-Men just kind of get fed up with Xavier's behavior and leave? Davis & Co couldn't come up with anything more compelling?
This wasn't a perfect issue -- it meanders over some really inconsequential details and draws out things that the audience is already ahead of, but it's a game effort to do something. I like the Colossus-Marrow dynamic. I'm cool with them having a little adventure with Mikhail, who is one of their mutual connections (the other being Callisto -- we should really get her into this story!) All the ingredients are good, I just wish it wouldn't dawdle so much.
No comments:
Post a Comment