Comic Review: X-23 #2

X-23 #2

Marvel Comics

Writer: Mariko Tamaki

Artist: Juann Cabal

The first issue of X-23 was great. Mariko Tamaki didn’t completely change everything about the character when she took over. This issue is good, but not as good as the first one. The story that’s unfolding is still interesting, and I want to see how it plays out. But this issue was missing something.

Laura continues her investigation into missing scientists. The Stepford Cuckoos are still doing the ominous “we talk in one voice and dress the same” thing. Both of their paths are set to collide since the Cuckoos have the scientist Laura is looking for.

I’m so far liking how Mariko Tamaki writes the relationship between Laura and Gabby. They have a good dynamic. Laura is the older and more cynical one, which makes sense considering her past. Gabby is young and funny and, despite being part Wolverine, is kind of innocent. It works well, and their interactions are the best part of this issue.

Gabby is one of my favorite characters to be created in the last few years, and I’m glad she hasn’t been written out of the story yet. I like what’s going on with the Cuckoos as well. I’ve read most of the X-books from the last few years and they dropped off the map for a while. I can’t say I’m the biggest fan of them, but what they’re doing in this story is interesting.

There are two pages at the end where Laura fights off fake mental images from the Cuckoos. It’s done in this really cool red and white coloring and it looks pretty cool. Juann Cabal and colorist Nolan Woodard did a great job through the whole issue, but these two pages are especially good. However, on my first read through I had no idea what was going on. I had to stare for a minute before I fully realized what was happening. That’s probably just on me though, I don’t have the best eyesight. Other than that, everything else is good. I don’t have any real complaints.

This is a good issue. I think the first is better, but the story is moving along at a nice pace. There could have been more of an action scene, considering this is a former Wolverine. But the red/white pages we got are great. If anything my biggest issue is that the next issue comes out in a month, but I don’t think that’s anything in the control of the creative team behind the book. I like this series, and I’d recommend it to anyone who enjoyed All-New Wolverine.