Review: Powers of X #2 (of 6)

In much the same vein as House #2, this issue looks to build on some of the surprises left hanging and hinted at in the fantastic first issue.Â With both series being so intertwined, there is also a direct follow on from the House #2.Â Yes, we are at the junction of multi-times again; strap in, it’s going to get confusing!

Powers #2 sees the merry mutants at different parts in their lives; we get to see Charles and Magneto rekindle their friendship through an understanding, we get to see the present with the plan to stop the next generation of Sentinels, the co-joined version of X-characters of the near future, at least relativelyÂ speaking, and we get to see the ramblings of the far future.Â All in all, its a wild and at times complicating journey.

By now you know that Jonathan Hickman is plotting and writing both of the X-books.Â Hickman has been planning this for along time.Â So long in fact, it make you wonder why we had to go through the numerous reboots of the X-universe of the last 18 months.Â The answer is pretty simple; if you are going to do something big, then you gotta do it right!Â Case in point, this is storytelling on such a grandiose stage that other contemporary comparisons such as, say Heroes in Crisis or The Doomsday Clock, pale into significance, the latter of course suffering from the worst case of delayed-itus since Youngblood and Superman Unchained!Â The method of the story telling in this issue is a tad different from it’s House counterpoint.Â Whilst Hickman is trying to give us all the various worlds this issue becomes a bit of a planning issue, though there is still plenty of steps or “how did they get there?” to pique interest.

R. B. Silva returns as artist and again does a fantastic job.Â The book is more talky than the last and Silva handles the change well. The art still retains some of the heavy lines of artists such as David Finch, though the same could be said for Pepe Larraz over on House.Â Is this to become the mutants own “house style” of choice?Â With so much going, Silva has to become inventive with panel and page design.Â Panels over panels over larger splash pages give the book a sci-fi feel; is there some Al Williamson influences in play?Â Inker Adriano Di Benedetto’s work is hard to differentiate from Silva, showing that the pair are certainly on the same page, no pun intended.Â The overall tone of the book is kept in line through colorist Marte Gracia and letterer Clayton Cowles; their inclusion on both House and Powers feeding into the idea of world building and consistency.Â I am even getting used the font style!

Despite no drop in overall quality, I find that I didn’t enjoy this book as much as it’s counterpart, House #2.Â I have always loved the Sentinels, but have never been a huge Master Mold fan.Â Apart from one kick ass Cyclops scene, there isn’t any of the real powerful or all together world changing surprises in the book.Â That said, the scope and ideas within the pages still make this book head and shoulders above the majority of the Marvel line and shows the Distinguished Competition what can be achieved with careful planning.

Writing – 5 Stars
Art – 5 Stars
Colors – 5 Stars

[yasr_overall_rating size=”large”]

Written by; Jonathan Hickman
Art by; R. B. Silva & Adriano Di Benedetto
Colors by; Marte Gracia
Letters by; VC’s Clayton Cowles
Published by; Marvel Worldwide

Author Profile

Johnny "The Machine" Hughes

I am a long time comic book fan, being first introduced to Batman in the mid to late 70's. This led to a appreciation of classic artists like Neal Adams and Jim Aparo. Moving through the decades that followed, I have a working knowledge of a huge raft of characters with a fondness for old school characters like JSA and The Shadow

Currently reading a slew of Bat Books, enjoying a mini Marvel revival, and the host of The Definative Crusade and Outside the Panels whilst also appearing on No-Prize Podcast on the Undercover Capes Podcast Network