An issue of this comic came out today that includes Polaris as part of X-Factor. These are my thoughts. I’m not bothering to go very in-depth this time. Also, fair warning, I’m biased and not very positive about things here. Marvel can be thanked for that.
Polaris with freckles is an interesting decision. I’ve never seen her drawn with them before. Makes her look younger, but then it’s set in the 90s so she’s supposed to be. Nothing bad about it, just interesting.
I don’t like Lorna in the X-Factor team uniform. She should really be in her iconic costume.
Quicksilver isn’t included as part of X-Factor in this comic. I don’t know if he was never part of X-Factor in the 90s cartoon, or if this is editorial requiring that he not be included because they don’t want him associated with the X-Men in their comics.
Meanwhile, across the universe, Abigail Brand (a character who didn’t even exist when the 90s cartoon was being made) gets to interact with the X-women and core X-Men characters that Polaris should get to spend time with but never does. Because Marvel likes to suck ass and exclude Lorna from everything.
A bunch of random stuff happens, the issue gets flooded with a bajillion different characters all at once like the book is dying and there’s lots of ground to cover post-haste before it does, etc, etc, etc. I skipped over several pages because I know a) Polaris isn’t going to be around after this arc, and b) even if she was, Brand is still going to get to do all the things Lorna should get to do and never will.
I really don’t care aside from checking the panels of what will be Lorna’s only comic book appearance all year. I might have cared if Lorna was in a better position, she got as much attention as Brand is here or more, and if Marvel had any intention of acknowledging Lorna’s worth and making use of it… but that ship has sailed.
Last thing I really bothered to pay attention to was Polaris dealing with Adam X and his guys.
I probably sound like a colossal dick, but considering that I feel like Marvel’s higher-ups are basically doing the jerk-off gesture every time anyone says they like Lorna and want to see more of her, I enter into this expecting that Lorna’s only here so she makes a token appearance Marvel can point to and say “See, we use her, now stop wanting what you want.”
My views.
The good: Polaris is in this story arc. The art. Lorna isn’t jobbed or made to look stupid at any point. She gets to have a little banter with Wolfsbane, rather than just seeing a couple panels with her in them. She actually gets to make what I’ll call a leadership decision, rather than needing to have it given to her by Havok.
The bad: Brand gets to do all the things Lorna should be doing, Lorna’s wearing the X-Factor uniform rather than her own uniform.
Final verdict: If you’re just looking for something fun to read, I assume this is a good read. I can’t judge it fairly because I’m blinded by my animosity toward Marvel. I get the impression the writer is loving every second of working on the book, and frankly, that’s the most important thing for a writer – that they enjoy their own craft. Otherwise, what’s the point?
I’m also expecting that most of the good things I cited will be ruined by next issue, because that’s how Marvel rolls when it comes to Lorna.
salarta 