X-Men, or Should I Say X-Women, Getting the Stage they Deserve

Last week Marvel released the new X-Men Vol. 4 featuring writer Brian Wood and artist Olivier Coipel. The new edition to the X-story features an all female cast, with a line up that includes Rachel Grey, Storm, Psylocke, Kitty Pryde and Jubilee. From my understanding this is the first book that features an all female X-Men team, and even in this first issue Wood is showing that these women are not to be messed with (if you didn't know that already).

The story starts off with Jubilee making her way across the globe to get back to the Jean Grey School, towing along a baby boy that she rescued from certain peril. This is the cutest baby ever seen in a comic book, hands down.  While Jubilee is traveling by plane and train, she is being followed not-so-subtly by an old enemy of the X-Men, John Sublime. Sublime goes to seek asylum with the X-Men, and also attempts to warn them of an ancient enemy returning to Earth to sow destruction and despair. 

X-Men Vol. 4 #1 cover by Olivier Coipel.
Image courtesy of Marvel Wiki

Basically, this first book is setting up for some great things to come out of this series. Wood is already promising a plot-dense run that will keep readers wanting more. Already, with the end of the book, I am eagerly awaiting the next issue to come out. Wood is providing excellent story that isn't action driven. The only action scene in this first issue is (SPOILERS) Rogue derailing a train in order to stop a head on collision. The rest of the book sets up what is to come, developing the plot right off the bat with a hidden enemy that already seems to be driving the plot forward. 

The characters in the new X-Men book have been well established by Wood, as well. Wood is setting up for some great dynamics to come along in the future. Especially between Storm and Jubilee, which could definitely come in to play around the new child that Jubilee is toting around. Each of these women are strong and tough, and the characterization of the team and how they work together is one of the things I am most excited to see play out. 

The fact that the entire cast is women also makes this book a great opportunity for Marvel to take on commentary with feminism. Marcel's women have always been strong and capable, but here we have a book that is saying "we are a team of women, and we can save the world without the guys help, bring it on." And Wood is bringing that to the table right away. 

Coipel has some great art in the book as well. I've been a fan of his since House of M and I am excited to follow his work again. He did a great job of bringing the characters to life on the page. In the panel where Storm glares at Jubilee when they are discussing the child, I honestly could feel the anger and suspicion lifting off the page.

All together, I think we have a good pairing of characters, plot and art to continue driving this story. Wood and Coipel are planning some big things for this run, especially in the opening arc. While this entire first issue was just exposition for things to come, it's exciting to see the direction these powerful X-women can take us. The next issue is set to release on June 26, and you can be sure that it will be in my shopping cart.