Comics: All New X-men #1 + #2

I find it hard to believe that a few months ago I was apprehensive about this series. I questioned how its premise would be handled, the original X-men time travel to the present and are disturbed by what has become of their world. I also wondered how Brian Michael Bendis would write X-men as well he had Avengers, X-men has always been my favourite comics franchise so if he had failed I would be very pissed off. I was also scared that he wouldn't be able to handle essentially three X-men teams in one comic; Wolverine's, Cyclops' present team and the time-travelling original X-men. For the moment he seems to be solving this by splitting the main focus team for each issue. Thankfully my fears were subsided and I have grown to love this comic; finding it to be my favourite comic at the moment. Spoilers follow.

Issue 1

The first issue is essentially all set up but it manages to stay exciting enough to keep you invested. Present Cyclops is recruiting new mutants for his revolution but you mostly just see the recruitment part and get no sense of his overall scheme. Wolverine's team is unsure whether to attack Cyclops as this could lead to a mutant civil war (well another one). And the past X-men barely feature but its suggested they need to visit the future (from their point of view).

The Beast storyline has been done before, this is even acknowledged; but it is given a sense of urgency which keeps it interesting for the moment.

The artwork by Stuart Immonen is fantastic. All the characters look true to form and appear realistic. The action scenes of the comic appear mostly in Cyclops scenes, with him taking on human authorities who are attacking mutants. Immonen is able to create a kinetic effect in a few panels; the action flying off the page.

A big problem I have with this issue is that the final page reveal has been totally spoiled up in every preview I've seen; which is not any of the creators fault in all fairness. Beast appears before the original X-men and states to past Cyclops: "I need you to stop yourself from committing mutant genocide". This is meant to be a big shocking reveal but it has been mentioned in every preview that the original X-men will be time-travelling; with these exact pages having been released as a preview the week before it was released! But I could write a whole other piece on media being spoiled by advertising showing too much so we should probably move on.

Overall a fantastic issue that leaves you wanting to read the next part of the story. 

Issue 2

"It was her. It was really her. Jeannie..."

In this issue the original X-men come to the present and all hell breaks loose. Focusing much more on the time-travellers this time around; a great deal of the issue is about reminding us of how they differ from their current counterparts (with the big thing being that this Jean hasn't died yet). X-men meet X-men with intense results; particularly in Wolverine's case.

I was quite surprised with the speed that some of the series's events are handled. Jean learns as soon as she arrives that in this time she has died, though I doubt she's aware of just how frequently that occurs. Having her back makes me realise just how much I've missed her in the X-men comics. It appears that Warren (Angel) will have to wait a while to meet his future amnesia ridden self however.

Wolverine makes his first appearance of the series here, greeting the original X-men in his classic style; by threatening to cut their heads off. This attack scene is the stand out moment of the issue in terms of artwork. Stuart Immonen really catches the fury and shock on Wolverine's face. The dynamic of Logan attempting to do what's right and send the time-travellers back; when really he is thrilled to see Jean alive and just wants to be with her is an interesting one.

The cliffhanger end to this series is a great lead in to the next issue, centring on Cyclops' present day team of extremists.