Review: New Mutants Classic: Volume One

On the forum for my favorite podcast, Uncanny X-Cast, I suggested that we super-frequent posters pick a collected volume to read and then discuss. This would be done on the forum and, hopefully, via Skype. The idea is sort of a book club for comic book geeks that love the X-Men. I drew up a poll of various X-Men related trade paperbacks, and we voted. The winner was New Mutants Classic: Volume One. I finished it last night, so I thought I’d share some thoughts.

The volume collects Marvel Graphic Novel #4, which introduced the team, New Mutants #1 – 7, and Uncanny X-Men #167. Every issue was written by longtime X-Men legend, Chris Claremont with art mostly supplied by Bob McLeod and Sal Buscema. I think the only glaring omission from this first package is Marvel Team-Up #100, which depicted the first appearance of Karma. Since her past is referenced quite a few times in the collection and she disappears by the end of the first volume, this origin issue would have been a welcome addition.

The packaging is pretty much the same format that Marvel has been using for all its “Classic” and “Visionaries” collections. The cover image is a digitally colored version of a cover from one of the collected issue and the colors inside have been reconstructed to be true to the original printing, but without the old-fashion four-color dots. I found it odd that when the cast is listed on the back cover, everyone’s codename is used except Psyche is listed as “Moonstar” and Wolfsbane is called “Rahne”. I wonder if Marvel thought modern readers wouldn’t be familiar with Dani and Rahne’s original codenames (though, Rahne still goes by “Wolfsbane” the last time I checked).

The Marvel Graphic Novel #4 portion of the collection does a decent job introducing Wolfsbane, Cannonball, Sunspot and Psyche. Karma is already at the school (as per the aforementioned MTU #100), but her background is made fairly clear to the reader. Charles Xavier’s original team of mutants, the X-Men, is missing in action at this point in history, so he begins to recruit a new batch of mutant-powered students. By the end of the story, the cast is all in one place and their personalities fairly well established.

The following seven issues of the original New Mutants series are a mixed bag (the Uncanny X-Men issue included resolves a plotline from the first three issues as well as introduces the New Mutants to the senior team). It starts out fairly strong, especially in the handling of Dani Moonstar, also known as Psyche. She’s very defiant to authority yet balanced by insecurities with her powers. Rahne Sinclair the young girl called Wolfsbane would be the next realized character of the bunch. She’s a bundle of wholesome Christian values mixed with the instincts and impulses of a wolf. The other three, Cannonball, Karma and Sunspot, have pretty distinct personalities as well, but don’t seem standout as much as the other two.

The strength of the first group of issues is also due to the tension provided by a mystery enemy, as well as an appearance by the Sentinels, those longtime, robotic enemies of the X-Men. Issue #4 starts out as a classic by having the New Mutants searching and chasing down someone who has been terrorizing their teacher, Stevie Hunter. Each student and their powers are utilized in very fun and effective ways. Unfortunately, the mystery is telegraphed very early and the issue ends in a very “After School Special” fashion. The last three issues are marred by the appearance of Team America, a group of motorcycle riding heroes that once had a comic book series in the early ‘80s, and a jive talking adversary named Axe that is insultingly stereotypical and ridiculous. Also, the motivations of the enemies are unclear: Why does Viper want that stupid crystal in the first place? What was the reason behind Nina’s kidnapping? The later may be answered in the next volume.

If you’re a fan of all things X-Men then I’d recommend picking this collection up purely for historical reference. The writing and art are very early ‘80s in style, but the characterization of the young heroes shine through. The art and coloring in Marvel Graphic Novel #4 are considerably better than that of the series proper. This is probably due to the production quality of the graphic novel being higher and Bob McLeod inking his own pencils. Having the beautiful art by Paul Smith from Uncanny X-Men #167 was a nice bonus, but only parts of that issue are truly significant in the grand scheme of this collection.

Overall: C