Customer Reviews

Further Adventures Of Cyclops and Phoenix

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is the tragic story about the origin of Sinister. Scott Summers and Jean Grey are brought back to the Victorian age. It was when Sinister was still known as Nathaniel Essex: A brilliant scientist, who was way too obsessed with reaching his goal: Creating the perfect species. He even puts his neglected wife aside in the name of science.

Other scientists slam his ideas and he only meets failure when trying to pursue his goal. But then he meets En Sabah Nur, also known as the evil mutant Apocalypse - Who tells him there is a way for him to do it. All Nathaniel has to do is choose between that or the love of his caring wife.

This is a very good story about love, the difficult choice this man had to make and how he came to the decision he eventually made. After years and years of hating Mister Sinister for everything he's done to the X-Men... You find that he's had a heart once. And I couldn't help but feel a bit sorry for the guy. They did Sinister good with this story. The writing is great. The thoughts, emotions and distant relationship between Nathaniel Essex and his wife Rebecca are done marvellously. The events can be shocking at times (don't ever browse through a comic book quickly!!!)

The art is very dark and contains alot of shadows - which works very well for this setting and story. It sets the mood for the story just right. Some might take a while to get used to the style, but that happens pretty quick once you get deep into the book.

If you've loved the love story of "Batman: Mask of the Phantasm", I'd recommend this. I would probably be sorry for saying this, but... It made me shed a tear :o)

...but this book explains how Sinister became what he is , and describes a Frankensteinish scientist who crossed the line out of care for his family. Apocalypse also appears, and Jean and Scott too.

The art suits story perfectly, and although this book is not better than Adventures of Cyclops and Phoenix, in my opinion, it is something completely different and well-written. The level of the script is Gaiman-ish.

The Further Adventures of Cyclops and Phoenix takes place in 1859 and retells the origin of Mister Sinister. He begins the tale as Nathaniel Essex, brilliant but misunderstood scientist who, in the age of creationism believes in evolution. Even Darwin thinks Essex insane. Driven by the death of the deformed son he was unable to save, and fear for the unborn child his wife is carrying he is soon pushing past morality into monstrosity.

When a band of thugs Essex employs, named Marauders, set out to collect mutants they accidentally awaken Apocalypse. That's when Apocalypse begins the task of turning Essex into Sinister.

The dialogue is solid, the art is dark, heavy, and moody, which is perfect for the feeling of the book.

The bad news is the inclusion of Cyclops and Phoenix. Transported to the past by Sanctity, their presence feels forces, and could be excluded entirely. It feels like they were only added to boost sales.

The good and bad balance here to make this a readable, but not spectacular book. I recommend it for X-Men fans, but I do not recommend it for new comic book readers due to the messy continuity.