Writers: Craig Kyle and Chris Yost
Artists: Mike Choi and Sonia Oback
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Craig Kyle (the co-creator of X-23, the co-writer of this title and of New X-Men, as well as the mastermind behind X-Men: Evolution and the Marvel animated movies) once told me that the one thing he cares about in his profession is telling a good story. Be it in TV, Animated features, or comics, Craig Kyle and co-writer Chris Yost succeed. They succeed on a ridiculously consistent level which results in great stories and a very popular and still fairly new character, X-23. X-23: Target X is the second mini-series to detail the killer teen’s past, and so far it has gotten off to a fantastic start. New X-Men is one of the best X-titles on the shelves currently, and it’s mostly because of one of the best trios in comics: Craig Kyle, Chris Yost and X-23/Laura Kinney. Thus, this mini-series should become the latest addition to any X-fan's pull list.
Last issue, X-23 is in the middle of an interrogation by Captain America and attorney to the superheroes, Matt Murdock. In this issue, Captain America gives the reason as to why he is interrogating X-23 and why we, as readers, are learning this story. It’s a very creative, yet familiar, way of telling this story. But what Kyle and Yost do quite well is give us Cap’s point of view, his disgust towards X-23’s actions, and then they in turn tell the detailed story from X-23’s point of view.
X-23 has moved in with her aunt and has befriended her cousin, Megan. Megan is basically your everyday rebellious teenager, and she throws her fits when she doesn’t get her way. At first, she doesn’t want X-23 around and wants her to admit to the massacre for which X-23 is responsible (the reason why Cap is interrogating her), but X-23 says nothing. She is, however, immediately accepted by her aunt who offers her some of Megan’s clothes. And the rebellious teen X-23 is born. To continue to fit into her new role and her new lifestyle, she must go to school. But first she tracks down Megan, who ran away after throwing her fit, and the two become friends. I really don’t want to spoil or summarize anymore of the plot because the writing and the art is truly worth the price tag (both of this issue and the first one).
So rather than focus the bulk of this review on the plot, which is fantastic, I wanted to take a look at this issue's art. By art I don’t mean the pencils and the inks, I mean the storytelling and comic book as a whole. Kyle and Yost paint Megan and X-23 as the outcasts in the school. Three words shouted to them as they walk through the hall pretty much sums up every stereotype of the kind of girls they represent: “Sluts, Freaks, Goths.” The exchange between X-23 and a jock who grabs onto Megan is not just great characterization of a tough broad, but it also brings out a side of Megan that we seem to only see when she is given the trigger scent (which causes her to go feral). I'm talking about her "father's side" to her, Weapon X.
There is also a great deal of humor that follows this scene. X-23 is challenged by her French teacher after being late to class and in fluent French, she goes into detail about how to gather information in an espionage interrogation. Later, she corrects her biology teacher and goes into detail about how to kill someone without leaving evidence. Just the responses that X-23 provides to her teachers caught me off guard, but it also remains absolutely true to the character. All X-23 knows is violence. She is a weapon, after all, and just seeing her deliver her explanations to each teacher is great writing and key in the development of the character because that is essentially all she knows. Thus, in turn that also stunts her from developing any sort of deep friendship with Megan.
The artwork on this title is visually stunning. If the beautiful cover doesn’t grab you, the inside pages most definitely will. Mike Choi and Sonia Oback’s stellar work on this title cannot be summed up in words; you really need to see it for yourself.
X-23 is one of the best and one of the most carefully developed characters created in recent comic history. So long as Craig Kyle and Chris Yost keep their hold on their creation and control all character development, X-23 will rise even further in popularity.
What did you think of this book?
Have your say at the Line of Fire Forum!