Writer: Bryan Edward Hill

Art: Szymon Kudranski, Frank D’Armata, VC’s Joe Sabino, Tom Muller, and Ashley Witter

Price: $4.99

Release Date: November 13th, 2019

Psylocke finds herself in this new world of Mutantkind unsure of her place in it throughout this week’s all-new FALLEN ANGELS #1 by Bryan Edward Hill. However, when a face from her past returns only to be killed, she seeks help from others who feel similar to get vengeance. Let’s jump in and see how Cable and X-23 join Kwannon for a personal mission that could jeopardize all Mutantkind!

Bryan Edward Hill kicks off his FALLEN ANGELS run with an aggressively fast-paced story that will really pique readers’ interest in a stunningly remarkable way almost immediately. Combine that with the intriguing line up of characters, as well as some absolutely phenomenal art by Szymon Kudranski and Frank D’Armata, this series will be one to add to your pull list for the next several months. Moreover, this fan thoroughly appreciated the issue and did so knowing very little about the non-Betsy Psylocke, Kid Cable, and X-23. For Hill to lock this reader into the narrative with a very limited background on these characters, clearly shows the talent and creativity he has throughout this issue, his writing, and only makes this reviewer even more excited for this series as it moves forward.

That said, the opening pages were a bit confusing and disconnected. Hill throws readers into the narrative with zero explanation or background as to what’s prattling with this new character in the train, who she is, and the importance of the situation at hand. However, readers need to hang in there until the end. Hill circles the wagon and brings the opening back into the story before the issue’s climax.

Not only does Hill wrap around the opening scene making it extremely significant, but he also takes the time to connect the X-Men Landscape with Xavier’s death AND continues to clearly magnify the fact that this is a different Psylocke in a variety of ways. New readers will depart from the issue wondering how the separation occurred BUT will understand the difference between Psylocke and the new Captain Britain (Betsy Braddock), which is vital to many books as the Dawn of X continues.

Now, to this reviewer, the stand out character of the issue was Mister Sinister, ”bar” none. My hope is that he is reoccurring throughout the narrative and proceeds to make guest appearances each issue dropping incredible little declarations as he did during this opening tale. Hill has set the tone for Sinister to be fiendishly charismatic yet chalked full of eloquently poetic quips that will cause readers to question his motivates while hammering home the validity of this world in every statement. With proclamations like “so you want me to help you break the laws of paradise?” AND “oh how this paradise would judge us if it knew what we truly were.” merely hit the mark of this relaunch, this series, and humanity since the dawn of creation. These are very profound testimonies from Hill through the character of Mister Sinister that this reader hopes will continue as the series progresses.

Finally, Hill expands on this awkward feeling of safety that many of the mutants have, especially after the events of X-FORCE #1. This feeling of safety worries many of the mutants on Krakoa who have fought their entire lives, which happen to be the mutants like Laura and Cable who only know war, destruction, and hate for those that are different. Hill uses this uneasiness as fuel to create his team while fusing the core of this series together in a way that makes total sense. With clearly defined characters and motives, why wouldn’t any X-Men fan or comic enthusiast jump on board this issue instantly?

FINAL THOUGHTS

Hill uses a different approach than almost every other writer relaunching a series and seizes the moment to better explain the team’s purpose, mission, and how they were put together masterfully. Each character is written beautifully and has sincere motives to join. Now, while this reviewer knows very little about this new villain on the horizon, the Biblical undertones are overly intriguing, captivating, and inviting to this reader while additionally raising my levels of excitement for what’s to come. This may not have been a team or a series readers were planning on adding to their pull list, however, this critic believes it deserves a fair shot. Hill’s opening tale was exhilarating, engaging, and filled with amazingly detailed art by Kudranski and D’Armata. Add this series to your pull list and let me know what you think. This comic fan believes you’ll be happy you did!

9.2/10