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Ultimate
X-Men Vol.3 : World Tour
Trade Paperback
[Collecting Issues 13-20]
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Writer: Mark Millar & Chuck Austen
Pencils: Adam Kubert, Chris Bachalo & Esad
Ribic
Inks: Livesay, Danny Miki & Chris Bachalo
Colors: JD Smith & Dave Stewart
Letters: Sharpefont
Price: $2.50/R12.95 SA |
A great collection of Ultimate X-men storytelling with a smorgasbord
of art and a great value for money trade version of the current
ongoing series. I have been following this series via the trades
since day one and having realised that the latest story arc [Hellfire
& Brimstone] was due out in the next month or so, it
was time to finish reading volume three in preparation for this
new release.
World Tour has been criticised by some people to be the weakest
of the three major arcs produced so far. This has been due to inconsistencies
in the art and errors in the storytelling. Some instances are definitely
hard to miss, one such place is when Jean Grey is drawn into a scene
in Scotland when she is in fact on a mission in Russia at the time.
If you have been drawn to this series, as many have, due to the
stunning pencils of Adam Kubert, be aware that this arc changes
hands half-way through. In my mind nothing helps “break”
a story any better than changing pencils in the middle of a story
arc. In this case it is not because of a lack of skill on the new
artist’s behalf, Chris Bachalo is mega-talented as he has
proven with his immensely detailed work on the Steampunk series,
but more the difference in style. A sharp visual change takes shape
as Bachalo takes over with his thick inks and his straight edged
“manga” [for lack of a better word] style of characterization.
Unfortunately his art tends to suffer next to Kubert’s simply
due to its vast differences and not owing to any lack of talent.
Funnily enough after three issues of Bachalo I was really getting
into his style and then, WHAM! It’s straight back to Kubert
for the epilogue of the arc. Sometimes I wish the publishers could
have just organised this a little better, two issues earlier and
Bachalo could’ve relieved Kubert for the full arc and then
I wouldn’t have to be writing this all down in explanation
to you.
The bonus of two lead pencillers lets us see how effective Millar’s
storytelling is. The story barely skips a beat and was a real page
turner. Professor Xavier is really put over the coals and his character
is fleshed out nicely. Love interests and team dynamics take a forefront
role in the “World Tour” storyline and a beautiful twist
is put on Xavier’s role as ‘puppet master’ of
the X-men. Is he controlling and manipulating the team via his mental
powers or not?
Two book-end story’s start and finish the main narrative,
both revolving around Xavier and Magnetos relationship, a nice touch
and it helps to explain a lot of character changes happening in
the main four issue storyline.
A bonus two issue long arc introducing Gambit to the Ultimate universe
is thrown into this trade as well. A different artist and writer,
Chuck Austen, tells the story of the streetwise Cajuns’ coming
of age and his first meeting with Professor X. Great colouring and
some nice touches in the script along with some really funny and
enlightening “Cajun” references, help to boost this
arc. Nice artwork by Esad Ribic kind of like a mixture of Bryan
Hitch [The Ultimates] and Joe Quesada [Daredevil].
The effects and colouring are really excellent and help to tell
a nice account of Gambit helping out a lost girl who is a witness
to a murder.
Overall this trade is worth buying owing to the amount of raw talent
stuffed between the covers. Eight issues have been packed into this
book, making it well worth the money spent. Although it may be disappointing
for Kubert fans, this is still a worthy addition to the growing
legend that is the Ultimate X-Men.
Score 7/10
Reviewed By:Iain Duncan
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Comic Reviews
