Customer Reviews

Prisoner X (X Men, Marvel Comics)

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I am avid X-Men fan. Considering that my other experiences to the Mojoverse all involved the X-Babies, I was expecting, basically, a comedy book, something to make me laugh. Instead, I received a very dark and gritty tale.
In a nut shell, the book is about a reality show that shows life in a prison, something that seems even more likely than when the book was originally written. (Ok, the fact that the prison was located in space is less likely, but hey, that's what makes it an X-Book.)This reality program is building to a climax with its first live execution, the mutant Longshot. Not suprisingly, the prison is ultimately run by his arch-nemesis, the grotesque and insane Mojo. The X-Men ultimately learn about this, through a variety of sources, and find their way to the prison to rescue him before his big finale.
A note right now: some social issues Noceti goes into great detail about are video-game violence, TV reality shows, and humane treatment of prisoners. If you like your X-Men all action, this book may not be for you. On the other hand, tolerance and equality are supposed to be what the X-Men stand for, so it's nice to see it applied to something other than the tried and true humans vs. mutants. Prisoner X is also written in past tense: she sees, he walks, they talk, etc. It can be a bit jarring, but ultimately fits with the book's darker tone.
Characterwise, there are good and bad. First, the three villains are portrayed excellently. Mojo is insane, Spiral is callous and vengeful, Major Domo is sarcastic and inhuman. The heroes are more of a mixed bag. Wolverine is in character, as are Rogue, Gambit, and Longshot. Noceti does a particularly good job at looking into the relationships between Rogue and Longshot and Rogue and Gambit. Others are not so good. Phoenix is so-so, as is Beast. Storm, who is supposedly to be the team leader is disappointing. She doesn't lead, exactly, then every other X-Men just go off on their own and she docilely follows behind to pick up the pieces. Also disappointing was the absence of Dazzler, Longshot's maybe-wife. The book makes no reference to her by name and only one reference otherwise, a throw-away comment that may or may not be talking about her. Other than those qualms, this was a reasonably good book, albeit one with rather pointed morals. Give it a go.

I absolutely love this book! It is in my opinion the best of the X-men novels. My main reason for adoring the book is because i love Rogue and Gambit and absolutely love the storyline and characters featured. I think newbies to the X-men will also enjoy this book due to the brilliant characterisation of it's main lead's and also the links to real life issues. Go on read the book i'm sure you'll like it, if not then i'm sure it will still leave you with some idea's you may never have considered before!

Prisoner X is my favorite X-novel so far. The characterization of Rogue was the best that I have seen in a long time. She is my favorite character and it was nice to see her in a starring role. The love triangle with her, Gambit, and Longshot was great. I hope that Ann will write more novels about Rogue soon.

I thought that this was your typical X-Men book. I was wrong. This book really suprised me. It was very VERY graphic, in depth and had a very cool story to it. This book is definately worth reading and is essential for any X-Men fan.

Prisoner X is the best X-novel ever written. It deals with some of the problems in society as well as problems ordinary people can face in their lives. The story focuses on the relationship between Rogue and Gambit. They have to trust each other as Rogue tries to save her ex-boyfriend, Longshot, and Gambit is suspected of betraying the X-Men. If you are a fan of this couple, you will probably enjoy the book. Other featured characters include Mojo, Phoenix, Wolverine, Storm, Beast, Spiral, and Major Domo.

Ann Nocenti, I remember her from the real heyday of the X-Men and the creation of Longshot that stands above all else in new character creation. I remember her from a Daredevil run that was right up there with Frank Miller's--the treatment of child abuse, slaughter houses, the ecology, etc.--excellent. So I picked up this book expecting to be treated like an adult by the writer and I wasn't disappointed. The prison system (and enslavement to enetertainment) as a whole within this country and others is approaching a thresh hold state that will perhaps not affect this generation but the next and the ones after that. And don't all of the real problems speak to what will happen to our children and theirs that we so callously ignore (though we will buy them a PlayStation)? The questions that Nocenti raises about what the prison system (I include mass enetertainment) means, what it does to people and how it ultimately is like a form of deadly entertainment. To put/pit the X Men into this scenario is one of what originally made them groundbreaking and truly a sight to behold. In many ways, legally the X Men are criminals--terrorists who flaunt the law for their own purposes and must remain resolutely good when true outlaw logic dictates that they kill the enemies who keep coming back for more. To get such a perspective on a genuine problem of today in such a simple genre book says a lot about the writer. It's worth the price of admission to be taught a little something, to learn to ask questions and have a concern about the world of today and tomorrow rather than demand that books fulfill the same opiate dreams that TV has so many addicted to. It's okay to learn a little something while being entertained. No, really.

By far one of the best X novels i've read in a long time. It was great to see Longshot back in action, though i was a little disappointed they never once mentioned Dazzler. I think Ann should write a follow-up to this novel...maybe end up dragging the X-men into the Revolution to help out Long and Dazz. Other than that little complaint i loved it, especially the whole Longshot/Rogue/Remy love triangle. Look forward to reading more X novels. oh by the way...Longshot could have taken Gambit out alot sooner....hehe

If you like the X-Men and want to read an X-Men book then pick this up. It's an easy read but has little action or interesting points.

The book kept my interest from start to finish. The way that Gamit was preceived is fitting for his character. Never truely being trusted and the jealously he felt towards Rogue and Longshot played out well for the storyline. I wished they went into more of Longshots history with the X-men. At times the storyline bounced around to much from different characters or just didn't get into enough depth. Overall I enjoyed the novel.

This was a sweet X-Men novel, especially if you are a fan of the Rogue and Gambit relationship. It had some nice moments for them and also showed the team acting like a family who care, support, and give advice to each other as well as fight and argue. There is a sense of realism mixed with the fantasy, and the book is hard to put down or forget. The reader can easily be drawn into the situations of Rogue and Gambit and Wolverine and the man he is trying to reunite with his son. Ann Nocenti is a wonderful author and should be commended for her work on this book.