Comic Review: X-Men Red #7

X-Men Red #7

Marvel Comics

Writer: Tom Taylor

Artist: Carmen Carnero

X-Men Red has possibly been the best mainline X-Men title on the stands. It has an interesting team complemented by solid writing by Tom Taylor.

In X-Men Red #7, Atlantis is under attack while half of the team needs to recover some cargo in the not-so-friendly skies. Both under the sea and in the air is some mind control, but this wouldn’t be an X-Men title without that.

The issue is basically just a long action sequence throughout, with very little storytelling through exposition or dialogue. I don’t mind action-filled issues, but this issue doesn’t really shine in any way. Neither team’s mission is particularly exciting, and the sequences aren’t noteworthy as far as choreography goes. Unfortunately, despite some fairly high stakes, the issue isn’t exciting either. The Atlantis attack feels like it should be much more important, but comes off as feeling like a backup arc to the aerial encounter.

Aside from the average action, the rest of the issue is solid. It feels like a big piece of the story, so the pedestrian approach can be forgiven. The little dialogue that exists is fine as fine as it always has been, and is mostly what is expected from Tom Taylor. This series is Jean Grey at her best, and Taylor still manages to give her a few great moments amongst the mediocrity.

Art-wise, the issue is fine, with nothing too outstanding or offensive. Carmen Carnero’s second issue in this run is much like the first. The art style doesn’t feel particularly unique to the medium and does just enough to get the job done. Just because it doesn’t shine in any area doesn’t mean it is “bad,” and credit should be given to a book that doesn’t have any glaring inconsistencies. 

X-Men Red #7 is the weakest issue in the series so far, but that doesn’t mean that it is a bad issue. At it’s worst, this issue is about the same quality as the average modern X-Men book. Hopefully, things will pick back up again next month.