Comics: New Mutants #70

NEW MUTANTS #70
December 1988
"Self-Fulfilling Prophesy"
Writer: Louise Simonson
Penciler: Terry Shoemaker
Inker: Al Milgrom
Letterer: Joe Rosen
Colorist: Glynis Oliver
Editor: Bob Harras
Editor In Chief: Tom DeFalco

This is still Louise Simonson, right? Yup, her name's on the book. Can't figure out where the stilted dialogue suddenly came from. The issue begins with the Mutants imprisoned by Spyder on the alien world. Spyder then delivers two pages of exposition explaining who each New Mutant is by saying "Ah, ____, you do ______ and feel _____." Yep, he actually says "ah" and then the name of a character three times in a row. Is there a rule about not repeating words or vocal patterns back to back, because it's something I always eliminate from my creative writing and hate when I read it.

Gosamyr's family is stirred early and are "born" prematurely, thus unleashing their crazy giant monster modes on the team. They're only thwarted by Lila Cheney, who apparently teleports them into a nearby sun (which obviously doesn't stick as she is back alive as early as 1992, maybe even before). As Spyder sics his forces on the Mutants, Illyana decides to risk her soul and teleport the kids home by way of the ever-worsening Limbo. The issue ends with the team stuck in Limbo against the foces of S'ym, thus preparing their involvement in "Inferno."

This issue wasn't as much fun as the previous ones, mainly due to the less enthusiastic art of Terry Shoemaker and some clunky dialogue. Plus this story has gone on far too long. Simonson is at her best when she's treating these kids like kids and putting them in fun/realistic drama. This has been way too much, especially since it follows the almost exact same Bird-Brain story arc (mysterious inhuman needs help, thus leading team to exotic locale and tragedy). I'm looking forward to the X-Terminators joining this book after "Inferno."

MY SCORE: 7.7/10