Extraordinary X-Men #6 Review: Search and Rescue!

Extraordinary X-Men #6 marks the beginning of the second arc for the mutants in All-New, All-Different Marvel. New threats! New adventures! 

The series has definitely improved since its debut, and with hints about upcoming storylines I am looking forward to seeing what it has to offer fans. Mutants facing extinction is nothing new, and that’s what made Extraordinary X-Men #1 a bit uninteresting. We have seen the X-Men deal with extinction many times now. However, as the series continued, Jeff Lemire was able to able to give the title a unique direction. For me, this series is one of the most improved offerings from All-New, All-Different Marvel, and I hope the trend continues. The series still hasn’t achieved the status of being called extraordinary, but with how things have been progressing it might just attain it soon enough, or at least come close.

The doors to X-Haven are open to mutants around the world, and Storm went public about her intentions to protect anyone in need. Issue 6 opened with Colossus, Iceman, Wolverine, Cerebra, and Magik arriving in Weirdworld for a mutant search-and-rescue mission. The setting was a nice little change from the usual Savage Land the X-Men keep visiting.

With the search-and-rescue mission taking place in Weirdworld we also got panels showing what transpired a few hours before the team was deployed. The main characters got to interact with each other as well as with young students. The X-Men series has always been about family, and I love it when comic books show familiar characters conversing.

I thoroughly enjoyed the scenes between Magik and new mutant, Sapna, who has the power to talk to demons. While Sapna’s family was all about saving her a few issues back, they left once they saw how scary her powers were. Magik helped the young mutant understand that her power to talk to demons doesn’t automatically make her evil. Magik even took her to visit Limbo. I think we’re going to see a lot of Sapna in the future issues especially because of her ability to see other dimensions. There are mysterious worlds that Magik didn’t know about, and that could make for some very interesting adventures for the X-Men.

Another interaction that occurred was between Anole and Iceman. The two finally had a conversation about Iceman’s sexuality, and Bobby admitted to being jealous of his younger self because he was so open and comfortable about being gay. The present day Bobby had kept that part of his true self buried for years. But now that he has come out of the closet, I hope to see him explore that part of him in this series.

Colossus and Nightcrawler also shared a little scene, where Colossus tried to help his friend. Nightcrawler hasn’t been the same ever since his encounter with Mister Sinister. This paved the way for an upcoming adventure where Storm and Jean Grey enter his mind in order to help him. I can’t wait to see what has Nightcrawler acting so scared. While Jean Grey is a powerful telepath, Storm is known to be very strong willed. That’s why their trip into Nightcrawler’s consciousness sounds very interesting. What will they find in there?

Not being able to help his friend left Colossus a bit disappointed, and lost. His little sister also didn’t need protection anymore. That led Storm to direct his attention to the young X-Men that still needed guidance. I admit that it is surprising to see Anole, Glob, and Martha still considered as trainees. They have been part of X-Men for years now, and I had hoped they might have formed their own team of young X-Men to help with search-and-rescue missions. However, that hasn’t happened yet, but with Colossus being their mentor we might see these young mutants take part in future missions.

Storm’s role as a leader has been one of major focuses of this series. She has definitely made some tough decisions. Near the end of this issue, she asks Old Man Logan to help her deal with (kill?) mutants that might threaten X-Haven. The relationship between her and Forge is also strained, and I think that will be talked about in upcoming issues.

I can’t end this review without mentioning the amazing art by Victor Ibanez. I became a fan of Ibanez while reading the Storm solo series. His Storm is one of the best, if not the best, I have seen. And just like in the solo, Ibanez brings a sense of humanity to his characters in this series as well. Extraordinary X-Men, being a title about mutant extinction, needed an artist who could convey emotions, and Ibanez is more than able to deliver.

Issue Highlights:

• Storm making tough decisions to ensure X-Haven stays safe.
• Victor Ibanez’s art is to die for.
• The introduction of new storylines that could make for very interesting plots for the X-Men.

What did you think of Extraordinary X-Men #6? Is Storm a good leader? What lies in wait for the current X-Men team? Let us know!

Author: Farid-ul-Haq

Farid has a Double Masters in Psychology and Biotechnology as well as an M.Phil in Molecular Genetics. He is the author of numerous books including Missing in Somerville, and The Game Master of Somerville. He gives us insight into comics, books, TV shows, anime/manga, video games, and movies.

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