Albert Avilla Reviews: X-Treme X-Men #5

X-Treme X-Men #5
Marvel Comics

Reviewed by Albert Avilla

Script: Greg Pak
Art: Paco Diaz

(Spoilers!)
When I was a little fellow, I went to a zoo that didn’t have lions and tigers; reading this issue felt like that.

This is the lineup for the two teams: Dazzler, Christmas-tree-ornament Xavier, rug-rat Nightcrawler, and mini-me Wolverine vs. full-grown-man Wolverine, Sabertooth, Colossus, Danger, and evil-boss Xavier. Based on pass performance, we know which team should win, but that’s why we play the game. Dazzler takes down some of the most formidable mutants in Marveldom without a scratch, a bump, or a bruise. Saber Tooth and Danger weren’t even factors to be dealt with.

I know Pak is building this team up to be this world-beating ultimate team, but wooo, hold your horses. We didn’t even get the tried and true Wolverine vs. Sabertooth battle. Xavier was taken down with the flick of the claw. If Dazzler has these kinds of battle and leadership skills, then keep her on this level. Put her in an appropriate superhero costume, and forget about the lounge act. I was let down by this story; I was expecting an epic battle. The cast of characters was set; all the elements of a great story were there, and the talent of the writer is undisputed. The big finale never emerged just an anticlimax.

The art really gave you the feel of the Old West from the Southwestern countryside down to young Wolverine’s shoes. Dazzler is shining through it all with various dramatic poses. The cover was the best thing about the whole issue.

I rate X-Treme X-Men # 5 Read a Friend’s Copy. #3 (of 5) on the Al-O-Meter Ranking

Albert Avilla Reviews: X-Treme X-Men #4

X-Treme X-Men #4
Marvel Comics

Reviewed by Albert Avilla

Script: Greg Pak
Art: Paco Diaz

(Spoiler Alert)
Greg Pak writing about iconic X-Men characters in an alternate reality, bring it. The X-Men land in the Wild West. Xavier is a professional gambler who uses his telepathy to cheat. He crosses paths with Sabertooth and comes into his power while protecting himself. Evil Xavier takes over the town and oppresses the town. Good old fashioned Western Mutant action popping off every page. Sabertooth and some outlaws are harassing a mother and her son. Little Jamie starts popping claws. Team X-Treme saves the pair.

Wolverine lets himself get captured so that he can do some reconnaissance. Wolverine is in jail with his alternate reality father when Boss Xavier shows up with Colossus and Danger to take Wolverine. Dazzler and Nightcrawler arrive at the jail too late to save Wolvie, but they get Howlett out. Dazzler is left with the odds stacked against her as sheriff Cyclops and his posse, Wolverine, Sabertooth, Danger, and Colossus-riding a bison (hell, yeah, a bison!) are coming for her. She's rolling with ‘tween Nightcrawler, rug rat Wolverine, and the Xavier balloon.

The art was above average, but what I really enjoyed was Diaz's Flair for design. The industrialized West was fun. The characters were cool. The John Henry-style Colossus was awesome and he rides a bison. Xavier is all Wild West-bossed-up. Dazzler is fine as hell.

I rate X-Treme X-Men #4 Buy Your Own Copy.