X-23 #1
Marvel Comics
Writer: Mariko Tamaki
Artist: Juann Cabal
A new creative team can bring out the worry and doubt in any fan, but Mariko Tamaki and Juann Cabal have delivered us a new story and kept the characters feeling familiar. After being the “All-New Wolverine” (and being one of three replacement Wolverines) Laura Kinney is back to being X-23.
At the top of the issue, to set the stage we get some exposition from Laura. With her sister/clone Gabby “Honey Badger” Kinney, Laura is tracking down stolen mutant genetic data, her new mission as X-23. Of course, this is done with some very fun over the top action. We see the duo chase down some faceless bad guys, where Gabby discovers one of them to be a green-skinned lizard person. The green skinned guy proceeds to smash Gabby with a truck.
Being clones of Wolverine and thus possessing his healing factor, both Laura and Gabby are fine almost immediately and continue on with their day. Later, at the Xavier Institute, they see Hank McCoy (Beast) who gives them information on a missing Alchemax scientist. More interestingly, they run into The Stepford Cuckoos. When we last saw them, they had different hairstyles and colors and were helping the young Jean Grey fight the Phoenix force. Now, back to speaking as a collective and looking identical to each other, it looks like they’ll be the antagonists for this first arc.
Artist Juann Cabal is no stranger to X-23, having drawn the “Orphans of X” arc for All-New Wolverine. Juann adds a to the familiarity of this new series. Laura and Gabby look like Laura and Gabby. The new costume designs, which look like simplified versions of the All-New Wolverine costumes, look great. The action in this issue looks great. In one panel X-23 looks a little goofy, but she’s mid-air kicking a guy, so it can be forgiven.
When I heard a new writer would be taking over the relaunch of X-23, I was hesitant. I read All-New Wolverine from the beginning, and it’s been one of my favorite series of the past few years. Mariko Tamaki has washed away any concerns I may have had. She captures Laura and Gabby as they were written by Tom Taylor perfectly. Laura being the more serious lead of the series, and Gabby is the source of the humor. It works and feels like a continuation, rather than a completely new series.
The story itself is pretty simple so far. X-23 is out to stop other mutants from being cloned and turned into weapons. It makes sense for her of all people to want to do that. Beast gives her some information, but it feels like that happened mainly to place Laura and Gabby at the Xavier Institute. While they are there, they run into the Stepford Cuckoos. For any unfamiliar with the characters, there’s a small bit of exposition that comes mainly from Gabby having a funny interaction with the sisters.
Another in a long line of series relaunches, Marvel’s “Fresh Start” has had mostly good, if not great first issues. This issue continues that trend. I’m worn out on all the return of Wolverine hullabaloo, and I’m sad to see Laura lose the title of Wolverine. Personal feelings aside, Mariko Tamaki and Juann Cabal have made X-23 #1 a great start to the next chapter for one of my favorite characters of the last few years.
X-23 #1
With a new creative team and story, X-23 #1 brings the characters we know into another fantastic issue for Marvel’s “Fresh Start” relaunch.