X-Babies #1 Cover

It’s here! It’s finally here!

X-Babies #1 hit the stands yesterday, and I couldn’t get to my comic store fast enough. On a general level, I loved it, except……

These are not the X-Babies that I know. Where was Ricochet Rita? Where was Wolvie and Stormy? Or Baby Bishop? Just how many troupes of X-Babies are there wandering around the Multiverse? This is not the set who met Excalibur, or the group that met the X-Men! I feel cheated! And what about the Mity ‘Vengers? Are we ever going to see those little critters again?

Still, all of my questions vanished with the long awaited (by me at least) return of Planet Terry at the end of the issue. That Mojo has been deposed (again), this time by a programmer who wishes to create educational shows (education? From my TV? Who would want that?) is certainly a departure from the revolt of the Spined Ones, or the rise to power of the rival Mojo II.

In Exiles it was implied that there is only one Mojoworld, and one Mojo. Still, that continuity is a mess, and only one Mojo, but at least thousands of divergent Longshots? Mmmm, that makes sense.

This weeks offerings are a mixed bag. Jim Starlin’s Strange Adventures mini comes to a conclusion, of sorts. A continuation of a plot line that began in Hardcore Station, we see Synnar’s quest for omnipotence, depending on six heroes, the Aberrant Six; Comet (formerly Captain); Eye, a character who hasn’t been explored enough; Adam Strange; The Weird, Starman Prince Gavyn and Bizarro (replacing Hawkman after his untimely demise at the hands of a Black Lantern).

This was not what I call a conclusion, and although it promised to be other earlier, it seems like a re-run of Thanos’ quest for power but in the DCU. The only good thing to come out of this series is that the Weird returned to Earth. Starman under goes a transformation at Synnar’s hands that seems pointless. A waste of a good character if this is to remain permanent, I hope it is soon rectified. We had to wait a long time to see the return of Synnar, but I rather hope that this plotline does not drag on for another few years.

My highlight has to have been Superman:World Of New Krypton #8. After facing an attack by the Thanagarians, which has yet to be fully explained, an old face reappears at the end of this issue angry about the Kryptonians stealing the moon of Callisto to provide their artificial world with a moon. Welcome back to centre stage Jemm, Son Of Saturn!

Considering that the Kryptonians grew their planet, why on earth shouldn’t they have the ability to grow a moon? It seems like the Solar System is getting to be a very populated place, and it is nice to see the Saturnians again, and Jemm healthy and in control of himself.

Now, I wonder if we will see the return of the blue-skinned Venusians that Hal Jordan assisted early in his career? In fact I lose track of just how many different Venusian races there were in the Golden and Silver Ages, now that must have been one busy planet!

Other recommendations? Justice League Cry For Justice #4 – Do not miss this!

Realm Of Kings Advert

Tomorrow sees the release of Guardians Of The Galaxy and Nova, as we begin the build-up to the Realm Of Kings event. Excited about the return of the Magus, I went back to read his first appearance back in Strange Tales Volume 1 #178 – 181, and I aim to read the rest of story in Warlock #9-15 later. These were reprinted shortly after the time of the Infinity Gauntlet if I recall correctly as the Original Warlock, so you should be able to find the back issues cheap.

Back in the War Of Kings, Phyla-Vell was instructed to slay the Champion of Life at the precise moment she became aware of his identity, and thus was born Adam Magus. The original Magus too was destined to be the Champion of Life, engineered by Master Order and Lord Chaos to battle Thanos, the worshipper of Death.

Thus was Jim Starlins original story, full of big concepts and grandiose titles, seventies sci-fi at its metaphysical best. But our characters have grown since then, Thanos abandoned his love of death, only to finally receive her embrace back in Annihilation. The Magus was the champion of Oblivion when he faced Genis Vell in Peter Davids excellent Captain Marvel series. The one thing you can guarantee is the incestuous nature of the Magus history, born by the actions of the woman whose brother and father were his sworn enemies.

And of course, there is the soul fragment called the Magus who now exists as a phantom in the Soul Gem, it’s whereabouts last seen in Lockjaw and the Pet Avengers. Of course the Magus of the Infinity War was merely that, a subconscious fragment, and has no bearing or relation to the original Magus or this new Adam Magus, who may or may not be the same being. In fact by birth, they are the same being, they all are, but in a universe where the timeline diverges at eth drop of a sonic screwdriver, who’s to say if they remain the same being or not.

So where could this lead? The Thanosi, clones of Thanos created to pursue his agenda way back when, believe themselves to be followers of Death, or at least a warped view of her. Who now will be the Champion of Life? Place your bets, ladies and gentlemen.

Personally, my money is on Rocket Raccoon!