Comics: New Mutants #69

NEW MUTANTS #69
November 1988
"Bad Company"
Writer: Louise Simonson
Penciler: Bret Blevins
Inker: Al Williamson
Letterer: Joe Rosen
Colorist: Glynis Oliver
Editor: Bob Harras
Editor In Chief: Tom DeFalco

The trek I began through the X-Canon after my birthday on July 6th, 2006 rolls on after a bit of a lull. I received the first Uncanny X-Men Omnibus and began reading every X-Men comic in chronological order, starting with Giant-Size X-Men #1 from 1975. This also includes all the spin-off ongoing series that I own (New Mutants, X-Factor and now Excalibur). So here I am, at the end of 1988 after almost three years of reading. I've covered a lot of ground.

This issue of New Mutants finds the teens in the thrall of Gosamyr, a sexy alien who the Mutants are trying to aide, and in the clutches of Spyder, the sadistic arachnid-esque alien who has kidnapped mutant rock star Lila Cheney. The issue begins where the previous one left off, with Spyder's minions threatening to blow up the incoming space yacht carrying the Mutants and Gosamyr. Spyder intervenes and allows them to land so he can capture them as well, which he does by the issue's end. Cliffhanger!

Louise Simonson continues her strong grasp on each character with this issue, even if the book reads a little heavy at times. There's a lot of arguing and angst, but at least those characteristics align more readily with teenagers. Yeah, Illyana constantly moaning about being evil is annoying, but it does work with her and especially her age. Teenagers are whiny and annoying. Gosamyr's emotional trickery also brings some fun rivalries out, like Sam and Bobby's machismo-off and prudish Rahne's worry about having feelings for Sam. Simonson has a very tight cast that all plays off each other very well. With Karma, Magma and Cypher out of sight, she's really getting a lot of mileage out of the remaining six and how they all play off each other. It's all done well.

There are some minor problems with the plot, like the whole fact that the New Mutants have left the planet on a whim to help some total stranger alien who isn't that interesting of a character. Spyder's also incredibly generic and only has his odd repo man angle to set him apart from other spider-like alien baddies. Also, Dani's immature fleeing from the ship as soon as it lands because of how mad she is isn't in character, but I assume that's Gosamyr's effect.

Bret Blevins' art continues to be the best this book has had, outside of Bill Sienkiewicz's abstract take on the teens earlier in the series run. His pages crackle with energy and his characters all look young and mix physical vulnerability with emotional strength. It's good stuff.

I also like the general hints and foreshadowing that are popping up in all the X-Books right now, leading up to "Inferno." Illyana's sword is acting wonky and Emma Frost senses something horrible coming. There's a real sense of foreboding in the line right now, and it's selling the upcoming crossover very well. Looking forward to getting to it.

So a mediocre story is saved by some fun art and believable characters.

MY SCORE: 8/10