X-TREME X-MEN #6 Review

By James Remsberg

09-11-2001

Hey there everybody. How's it going? Welcome to the review of X-treme X-men #6 which was released this week.

Writer: Chris Claremont

Artist: Salvador Larroca

This issue starts out with Bishop at the morgue talking to an autopsy specialist who's just done one on the body of the dead Viceroy from last issue. The doctor concludes that the Viceroy died of suffocation, apparantly in a room full of air. He wasn't choked either. Bishop, who doesn't mention he's a cop, relays this info to Sage who's in a different part of Sidney and Sage forwards it to Storm and Thunderbird who are on thier way to meet the children of the Viceroy.

The first four pages are nothing new; done more to catch up new readers. The doctor just gives a scientific version of the fact that Gambit, who's been framed for the murder, is innocent. This comes as no shock since there is never any doubt in the readers' minds in the first place. I felt that there should've been more suspence. Maybe Gambit was responsible somehow; that would've added more tension between him and Rogue. But now the question of the real killer is brought up, and that's something that'll probably be resolved in the upcoming issues.

Next we have Neal and Storm in thier bathing suites at Surfer's Paradise, each approaching one of the kids. Neal goes to Heather Cameron, a lifeguard, and tries to make small talk, while Ororo goes in the water to Davis. Before things get any further a shark attack occurs. And while Neal gets rid of the shark with a gunshot-style use of his power, Storm brings Davis ashore and restarts his heart with a small lightening bolt. Off-panel, they are now friends.

We finally get to see Neal using his powers, albiet for a few panels, and while this finally gives the guy something to do it's still a far-cry from a personality that the character's been lacking since the series began. So far Neal had only been used, as it seems, as a the guy who raises the same questions as a way of getting new readers caught up and confirming the team's necessity to find the diaries; the same diaries that have been sidelined for 6 straight issues, aside from the scene last issue. The team is still after Destiny's diaries to learn and change the future but they sure are taking thier sweet time doing it.

Though it left me feeling a little off, this segment of the book was nicely done. Storm and Neal are getting friendly with the Camerons (one of which, Heather, seems to be a mutant) in order to protect them, so why not simply come to them as the X-men and tell them about the danger to them after the death of thier estranged father? I guess it'd be better if they became friends but they could've still protected the kids secretely. And how far are Ororo and Neal willing to take this pseudo-friendship? Love, maybe? Nobody knows yet.

Also, why is Ororo carrying a surfboard? Was that just for show? Although it would've been awesome to see Storm surf the waves it'd be awkward and maybe a little out of character since she's never surfed before in my memory. But no harm, no fowl.

Next come the imprisoned Rogue and Gambit who were captured last issue by Red Lotus, a guy who thinks Gambit killed his grandfather (apparantly Remy's been framed of two murders. By who, nobody knows). Here the two are bieng tortured by acupunture needles be an old guy called only the Examiner. Now this is new: instead of pain he inflicts the ultimate pleasures in Rogue, basically with the same results. When Red Lotus objects to this the Examiner knocks him out with a needle. Meanwhile Rogue loosens herself, and when the Examiner throws a needle at her she catches it with her teeth and spits it back, therefore knocking out the old guy. Rogue and Remy proceed to escape.

This part was totally unbelievable to me. Apparantly every villian the Xtreme team meets knows thier entire history and who proceed to recite it (Gambit: thief, X-man, yadda yadda yadda; Rogue: affiliated with the X-men and such). The unbelievability (or cheese) factor is even more pumped when the powerless Rogue catches the needle with her teeth and spits it back with apparantly enough strength to push back the Examiner and knock him out. I though this part by Claremont was lame. Rogue shouldn't have that strength and this Red Lotus character (which many fans want to see join the team) is so easily pushed aside. With his already bad haircut he better not join the team.

Cut to the lonely Sage who suddenly notices that she's drinking wine instead of water and that her clothes have changed. She figures it to be an illusion caused by Lady Mastermind.Out of the blue Sage knocks out an invisible foe which looks a helluva lot like the lady twin that Vargas keeps around. Her name is Regan Wyngarde, the daughter of Jason Wyngarde, the original Mastermind.Sage's surroundings, those of the Hellfire Club, lead her to a door. But before she can escape she's knocked out by none other than Sebastian Shaw who wants to know how and why Sage betrayed him.

Sage, if you didn't know, used to work for the Hellfire Club for years, secretly giving info to Professor Charles Xavier of the home-team X-men in NEW X-MEN. Although her character had been seen before (in X-men 29 and Claremont's first run) the first time Sage appeared (as Tessa) was in Claremont's second run on the X-books last year. She had never ever been mentioned as a mole in the Hellfire Club and she had never given any info to the X-men before that might've helped them against the Club. She just showed up with this history and decided that this was somehow the time to break away from the Club and join the X-men. Since then the readers have known little about her and her powers. We finally get to see her past catch up with her here. Maybe we'll get some answers now.

The Lady Mastermind, who might or might not be the woman Sage knocked out, was seen in Claremont's "Dreams End" storyline last year in the core X-books. Then her name and hair color were different. Here she's known as Regan Wyngarde, daughter of the original Mastermind. But since Jason Wyngarde was just an alias used by Mastermind to be in the Hellfire Club, this may not be her real name. Oh well. Guess we'll find out later.

Then finally it's back to Ororo and Neal who are on an apparent double-date with the Camerons. Neal tells Heather how he's recently lost Psylocke, while Ororo, in her sexy, new dress, dances with Davis. Then when Ororo decides to leave some guys dressed like the Black Panther (black costumes, cat ears) crash in through the roof, thus ending the issue.

As I read this I wondered a minor thing: Where did Storm get that dress? The team, although seemingly wallowing in luxury as seen last issue and this, is getting it's money from somewhere unknown. It can't be Destiny from issue 4 since there was never any money mentioned there. Storm's not carrying around a suitcase so it must be a credit card she has hidden in her tiara or something. This is a minor detail, though significant in my mind.

Overall this issue continues to have the best art that Marvel's currently putting out. Larroca's inkless figures are getting better and better, though I've always liked them. Claremont's writing, on the other hands, continues to be plagued by the same old nudges: the unrealistic dialogue, cheesy new characters and stories, unprobable things occuring based on weak logic. What does that leave? Characterization. That thing that defines characters and lets us inside thier heads and understand them. This issue was great on that front. I personally would like to see the team getting back on track and finding the diaries, the reason this team and book was formed for. The definition of this quest should also be clarified; does the team only want to find them and keep them from Xavier (as far out as that sounds) or are they actually going to change the future. And why is Storm keeping things from the team, like not telling them she's translating the diaries alongside Sage. So, yes, the book needs to go back to its purpose which needs to be more defined.

I was also surprised by the rating of this book 'PG'. As I understand it other Marvel titles such as Wolverine, Amazing Spider-man, and Daredevil have the same rating. But X-treme's content is nowhere near as graphic, violent, or bloody as Wolverine. There are no adult themes in this book. I think X-treme should be moved down to "All Ages" so people don't get confused as to how Marvel's rating thier books. Also there doesn't seem to be any bite, edge, or suspense in this book. Things are happening but nothing makes you go "Oh my God. What the hell's gonna happen next?" That's another thing Claremont needs to work on.

Anyway this issue was highly enjoyable in its own right. Here's hoping the momentum continues.

See you again in 5 weeks.