Comic Review: X-Men Gold #33

X-Men Gold #33

Marvel Comics

Writer: Marc Guggenheim

Artist: Michele Bandini

Why isn’t anyone allowed to be happy? The Wedding issue of X-Men Gold didn’t make enough characters miserable apparently. X-Men Gold #33 kicks off the “Godwar” with some solid team drama following Rachel Grey’s recent outburst.

The drama is where this issue really shines, despite the majority of it being an overall downer. While I am not happy with the fallout of the previous arc, Marc Guggenheim mostly handles it all without stumbling. Is it too much to ask for happy characters, though? The rest of the issue brings Storm back to her home to deal with the death of her mother, as well as the birth of a new cult. Storm’s interactions with those in her old village are solid, and possibly some of Guggenheim’s best writing yet. Unfrountately, the new antagonist’s dialogue does seem somewhat cheesy. He uses phrases like “That’s Amusing” with a villainous smile, which comes across as cheesy and ineffective. Outside of the antagonist, everything else feels natural. The issue is light on action, with the closest thing to an encounter only happening in the final few pages, but that doesn’t stop the issue from being downright entertaining.

Michele Bandini returns to draw a gorgeous issue, with the only flaw being that some characters don’t always look like themselves. Still, Bandini’s artistic style is perfect for this arc, and this issue is one of the best looking chapters in the series. There is excellent shading throughout the issue, and most expressions are highly animated without losing the reality that this style is going for. Nothing about the art feels rushed or lazy either, with multiple panels having subtle changes in expression where the artist could have easiliy gotten away with duplicating panels.

It is hard to tell if X-Men Gold will be a great arc or if it will just sink back into the mediocrity that has plagued this series. “Godwar” is off to a great start, and I really hope that Guggenheim can keep this going.