Writer: Gerry Duggan

Art: Matteo Lolli, Federico Blee, VC’s Cory Petit, Tom Muller, Matthew Wilson, and Russell Dauterman

Price: $4.99

Release Date: October 23rd, 2019

Even in this dramatic new dawn, Mutantkind faces hardships and oppression from their human counterparts in this week’s all-new MARAUDERS #1 by Gerry Duggan. Led by Captain Kate Pryde and funded by Emma Frost and the Hellfire Trading Company, Marauders Storm, Pyro, Bishop, and Iceman sail the seas of the world to protect those hated and feared! Fans, come sail away into this series debut issue and let’s ”sea” what Duggan has in store for this opening tale!

Gerry Duggan steals the show with his witty one-liners, carefully timed humorous banter, and clever exchanges between Kitty and the rest of her team. Duggan sails out of the gate with an anecdote that commandeers this reader’s attention, paints a direct purpose for the narrative moving forward, and instantly unmasks the key players and influences that this title will have in the future. The heftiest crinkle to this story will have to be told later on after the comic’s release. But for now, this reviewer left with a few questions, as well as a few more of Sinister’s Secrets to discuss.

Additionally, this fan left the issues thrilled for the character development between the group dynamic of the Marauders. From key players that have been missing in the X-Men franchise to characters that don’t work well with others, the personalities and dispositions that will emerge from this team as the story evolves will definitely be interesting, entertaining, and filled with heated tension. Furthermore, some writers and characters blend together really well. That said, Duggan and Kitty Pryde appear to be a perfect fit at this point and juncture making this critic intrigued to see where this pair will lead.

Matteo Lolli and Federico Blee’s art is very reminiscent of Pepe Larraz (House of X), R.B. Silva (Powers of X), and Marte Garcia’s from the relaunch event by Jonathan Hickman. Blee’s colors are luminous, radiant, and dominant while Lolli’s art was exceedingly easy to follow, especially throughout Kitty’s fight scene towards the climax of the issue. Each movement was captured beautifully and without complication. Lolli’s art was sharp, familiar, and energetic when it needed to be while offering a special allure that fascinated this critic just enough. This reviewer left overly satisfied with the detail in the linework and mesmerized by the brilliantly vivid colors causing my eyes to dance from one panel to the next.

FINAL THOUGHTS

MARAUDERS #1 kicks off in an easy to follow manner while laying out all the pertinent details with just the right amount of humor, action, and character development to apprehend this reviewer’s attention and raise my curiosity for many issues to come. Duggan has won this critic over and frankly is leading the race as to the most impressive relaunch book to date; granted there has only been two but still! If you’re interested in an X-Men title filled with some of your classic favorites that’s well-paced, funny, and filled with just enough action and questions as the story continues, this is your X-Book. Pick this incredibly enjoyable issue up and add this series to your pull list.