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So, I'm at my local comic shop the other day and this guy down the counter says, "Wow, someone else who reads DC besides me." To which I responded, "Well, as I got older my Marvel went down and my DC went up. 'Course now my Marvel is picking up again." What I didn't mention was that my Marvel was increasing because I have decided to check out a few of the new X-titles. If you would have asked me a couple of years ago if I would ever pick up an X-title again (I didn't consider Deadpool or Agent-X X-titles,) my response would have been a nice clichéd, "When hell freezes over." Well, it looks like it's time to whip out that winter apparel folks.
Back in late 2002 I heard a new writer was jumping on to Uncanny X-Men and I decided I would take a look at it. I had done it a number of times with X-titles in the past, but the writers always disappointed me after giving them a few issues. Chuck Austen, on the other hand, didn't disappoint me. Unlike what appears to be a very vocal percentage of X-readers, I actually like Austen's work (though The Draco storyline was very convoluted). I've been with Uncanny since issue 410 and am still reading it. I figured it was just a fluke and that was all, though. Enter the current situation with Marvel and their X-titles.
With the exit of Morrison, and what sounded like an honest desire to improve the X-titles from Marvel, I decided to give some of the X-titles a chance again. As of now I will be continuing with Uncanny X-Men and judging Chris Claremont's writing (I already feel behind after one issue), I have followed Chuck Austen over to X-Men, I am getting Astonishing X-Men because of my faith in Joss Whedon's writing skills, and yes, as shocking as it is . . . I am going to check out the new incarnation of X-Force. I like Cannonball and Shatterstar, what can I say? Sometimes I can stomach a bad artist (*cough*Liefeld*cough*) if the stories are good, so I guess we'll have to see on that last one.
I never thought there would come a day when I would again be giving Marvel so much of my money, much less through X-titles. However, I really want to see if Marvel can pull off this "Reload" thing. While seeing people like Chris Claremont and Alan Davis may be what some fans want, I'm looking at the concepts. To me, Joss Whedon laid the groundwork of a good concept in Astonishing X-Men #1. When Cyclops said, "Sorry Logan, super heroes wear costumes," it really made me think of the days when I was younger. That and I think Whedon was being a bit realistic when he had Cyclops say, " . . .all the black leather is making people nervous," in regards to people's perceptions of the team.
I never liked the idea of a highly unified look for any of the X-teams. To me highly unified says "militant." The Avengers, Defenders, New Warriors, JLA, JSA, Teen Titans and Outsiders don't dress in a unified fashion. They are individuals working together, but they are still individuals who also do their own thing. I think the varied costumes show them as individuals and also work to show that they are making a choice to work together. Of course, that is just my opinion.
Anyway, I am looking forward to what is going to happen with this "Reload" thing at Marvel. Regardless of the outcome it should be interesting. In all honesty (and this will shock those who know me) I really do hope that Marvel pulls this off. I am one of the people still around who believes that super heroes wear costumes. I am also someone who believes that the costumes draw the attention of kids, and the comic community needs a serious influx of them if the industry is going to survive. If I'm willing to check out these titles to see if they're quality (for me,) then I figure those who hate the costumes should be willing to take it on the chin for a chance it could draw some new and younger readers. I guess we'll all see, though. I'll keep you informed of what I think as this thing moves along. Excuse me now, I need to find a parka.
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