Marvel Meltdown: February '10

[Stephanie]

Welcome to an all new Marvel Meltdown, true believers! Each month we’ll select three upcoming Marvel comic books and let you know whether or not they’re worth buying. This time we'll flip through the pages of Psylocke #4, exchange not-so-witty quips in Uncanny X-Men #521, and save America from its most evil icon in Captain America #603.

Psylocke #4

The Ol' Canucklehead and Psylocke (Betsy Braddock) duel claw to mental blast this week, and things could get ugly. Visiting Japan on a special mission, Braddock learned that she's not the only one gunning for Matsu'o Tsurayaba, the man who involuntarily turned her into a psychic assassin years ago and more recently obliterated her former body. Talk about closure. Psylocke and an assassin named Jinn, both determined to strike the killing blow, soon discover that Matsu'o's provocations aren't what they seem. Logan, angrier than ever, annually tortures Matsu'o in remembrance of his past flame Mariko Yashida's fate. Mariko once begged a torn Wolverine to end her misery, and Matsu'o dealt the poison that would have slowly killed her. Now fellow X-Men Wolverine and Psylocke clash: One wants to continue hurting Matsu'o, and the other endeavors to grant Matsu'o's wish despite his wrongdoings. But capping Matsu'o's suffering won't be easy with an out-of-control Wolverine standing in the way.

The Part Four issue—written by Chris Yost and illustrated by Harvey Tolibao, inked by Sandu Florea, and colored by Jay David Ramos—churns out an odd mix. While the art and overall writing flourishes, instilling thoughtful emotion and depicting battle action in near equal amounts, the plot wavers inconsistently. Throughout the comic, Psylocke attempts to understand Wolverine's plight on both a personal and psychic level, and tapping into his mind throws her quite a curve ball. Wolverine doesn't plan on backing down from this fight—he wants Matsu'o to live the same agony he must also endure, and the currently empathetic Psylocke aims to do otherwise. Calming a raging mutant takes more than words, though, and since psychic manipulation fails to dent Wolverine's resolve, the purple-haired ex-super model must work her persuasion another way. Unfortunately, the way she picks lacks believability, especially considering the building narration.

The storytelling doesn't exactly greet new readers, either. Yost leaves much unsaid and indirectly discerned, and overall the issue drops Psylocke in an ambiguous state. But Psylocke #4 does rise as a decent character spotlight, with the three central figures making logical decisions. It just doesn't necessarily accomplish anything terribly influential.

Uncanny X-Men #521

The X-Men have their work cut out for them. Mutant-eating Predator X's recently invaded their new island called Utopia, which is built from Asteroid M's sunken ocean ruins. Along with their supposed new ally Magneto, the X-Men discover that swarming microscopic nanites have crashed onto the sanctuary, as well. Cyclops assigns Wolverine, Psylocke, and Colossus to investigate the interlopers' source. After encountering the mutant mercenary-for-hire, Fantomex, who directs his attention on a rogue Predator and not the nanite host location, the X-Men continue their search and happen upon their foes, who have hindered them since "Nation X" began. Meanwhile, Magneto climbs Mount Tamalpais, and Cyclops and Emma Frost learn that he's shut the islanders out from his mental and physical focus.

Matt Fraction pens the issue, which concludes next month, and Greg Land pencils, Jay Leisten inks, and and Justin Ponsor colors. In New York City, the three-mutant search team fight their Predator-hiring opponents and hear their vision for mutantkind. Much of the dialogue shrivels alongside the sometimes melodramatic, sometimes highly appealing artwork. Ponsor's colors improve many of the aforementioned visual imperfections, at least.

Additionally, the X-Men's enemies wield a dangerous weapon that drains any originality from the story, and the villains just sound so typical. Fraction's writing suffers from weak, forced dialogue that, even when humorous, doesn't push the right buttons. The writer tosses in some Namor and Kitty Pryde mentions and briefly darts to some Utopia X-Club undertakings, but their limited inclusion alters them into filler material.

On the other hand, the comic did warm me up to Fantomex's character, who Fraction depicts in an enjoyable manner. Plus, the X-Men are now struggling with their hands heaping full. The comic might bend under its own weight, but that's still better than a flimsy collection of effortless pages.

Captain America #603

Captain America #603 comprises the second part of "Two Americas," and the issue fully earns the name. Ed Brubaker writes a comic that deals with more than the psychotic Cap doppelganger, who intends to reclaim America. James "Bucky" Barnes joins Sam Wilson, otherwise known as Falcon, and together they seek to infiltrate the paramilitary, anti-government Watchdogs' camp and apprehend the unstable super soldier.

Luke Ross polishes the comic with a wonderful, almost sentimental artistic flair, which transports us back to the 1950s and rekindles our memories of Steve Rogers. The technique works well, setting old times against newer generations and contrasting a nostalgic American feel with the rogue Captain America madman. Bruce Guice supports Ross's visuals with his own inks and Dean White lends patriotic, faded colors.

The issue commences with narration that snaps a portrait of '50s American country and reminds us of its former idealistic mentality. Captain America fought for that loyal era, but the hero's new impostor sews a manipulative design into the traditional fabric. He efficiently sabotages Bucky and Wilson's operation, and the two split, heading unknowingly into separate traps. The camp infiltration scene paints a sinister coat on Bucky and Roger's original partnership, and the growing effect spreads a foreboding sense throughout the book. Cap's troops ambush both Bucky and Wilson, but the latter receives a worse greeting.

Unfortunately, the main comic ends too quickly, for the creators dedicate the remainder to a Nomad mini second feature. Sam McKeever writes the short tale, and David Baldeón pencils. The extra demonstrates a fun, light-hearted style that makes for an easy read, but the central portion of the issue would have benefited from more breathing room.

Good or bad, you can find these and lots of other Marvel comics over at the Impulse Creations shop.