Comic Review: Major X #2

Major X #2

Marvel Comics

Writer: Rob Liefeld

Artists: Brent Peeples, Scott Hanna, and Romulo Fajardo Jr

Usually reading comics is a fun experience for me. They can be silly or serious and I’ll enjoy whatever comes out of them. I can put aside almost anything that may sound like a flaw and have a great time. While reading Major X, I found myself devouring the pages within seconds since I was ignoring everything. The 90s era of comics is my original gateway into the medium so I’ll say there’s great stuff back there. However, we need to learn to leave behind the X-Treme part of X-Men books from the 90s.

The son of Cable comes back in time to ask his dad to stop a future hazard. Sound familiar? Of course, it does. It’s some common X-Men story tropes and events slapped together and packaged with a Summers offspring gimmick. Nothing about the story feels new or exciting or even fun. Even the mystery as to why the realm is crumbling doesn’t matter to me while reading. The story is set in the midst of Liefeld’s heyday when he was on X-Force. The whole book reeks of trying to catch lightning in a bottle twice. I just can’t speak beyond that because even the fights are frivolous in the worst of ways.

The art team’s clashing is clear as the inker must’ve never spoken with the colorist. The dark parts should complement the colors and enhance them, instead, they dull whatever they are near. If it were for a mood I wouldn’t say anything, but all it does is make for really confusing shadowing and contrast. The art team isn’t bad, they just don’t work well together. I get the sense that this book is a side project for all of them. The only art I genuinely enjoy in the book is Major X’s design. It touches on the X-Treme 90s without overindulging and takes a part of his grandfather’s old cowl. Though if that’s the best praise I can offer, then I can’t say the art saves the issue.

After reading the book, I just want to know who out there was demanding this. I get there are fans of the style and era, but how vocal are they really? I haven’t heard clamoring for this genre and honestly believe some Marvel execs felt it’d be a fun nostalgia trip. It’s not. If you like Major X’s design like I do, I don’t know, get a poster or something. Other than that, the book isn’t a worthwhile read, let alone a purchase.