The X alterna-universe makes room for familiar faces with an unfamiliar twist.

January 20, 2000

ISSUE #17: The Wake Up Call
Bad boys, bad boys... Story and Art: Howard Mackie, Javier Saltares, Andrew Pepoy (Click on the image to see a larger version)
	REVIEW: OK. What is the deal with this alterna-Captain America? I dunno, his presence is just sort of jarring. All of the other alterna-versions of characters are sort of like cool variations on a theme, just different enough to make them interesting. But with Cap...well, I honestly don't see any major differences between him and the real Cap. So what's the twist? Is he going to go off and betray The Six? Is he a double agent working for the anti-mutant factions of the government? Does he have bad habits, like biting his fingernails? What? All griping aside, this is a not-bad outing for Mutant X. Cyclops puts on an appearance, and he and Havok are kidnapped and trapped to a giant machine that forces them to live out nightmarish situations. Gee, I don't think I've seen that particular plot device before, except in every comic book and sci-fi-themed TV show EVER. Ah, well. At least we have appearances by the alterna-versions of Sinister and Jean Grey to keep things interesting. This, I like, especially since Ms. Grey seems to be firmly planted on the side of evil. There's also a pretty nice art sequence of a giant building being torched by the Summers brothers. When in doubt, blow stuff up. --Sarah Kuhn
	Recommendation:	BORROW IT!

ISSUE #16: God and Man
	REVIEW: You know, this little alterna-X-verse is really starting to appeal to me. Or maybe that's just because Lil' Scotty Summers is conveniently out of sight for the entire time this month. Thank you, dear X Gods, for small favors. This issue, Havok and Co. (with Captain America still in tow) head to New Orleans in search of a young mutant. Who do you suppose they encounter? Yup, it's Gambit, and in this timeline, he and Bella Donna are married with a young child. Together, they pretty much rule the Thieves and Assassins Guilds and all of New Orleans, and they aren't too happy to see The Six. I must say that I'm coming to appreciate the semi-grubby look of the series, and the novelty of the "hey, check out the freaky version of this character" hasn't quite worn off yet. It still has a pulpy sort of charm about it -- you know, the kind where you know you're pretty much being taken for a ride, but it doesn't seem to matter. Only then they mess things up by introducing yet another irritating kid character towards the end. People, if you are, in fact, trying to torture me, at least be creative about it. -- Sarah Kuhn
	Recommendation:	BORROW IT!

ISSUE #15: The Ripple Effect
	REVIEW: Blah, blah, blah, mutant discrimination. Mutant witch hunts. People are mean to mutants. The government is mean to mutants. Not that this storyline has been done to death or anything. That's OK, though, because the team formerly known as The Six at least manages to keep things moving along. They're outta there once they hear that S.H.I.E.L.D. is offering "protection" (yeah, right) to all mutants and super-powered beings. Lil' Scotty Summers is precious as can be ("It's OK, Unca Hank! It'll be fun! Like a 'venture!"), but at least he's shoved to the background after the first few pages. Things really take off when the always-captivating Bloodstorm encounters some old friends, in the Mutant X tradition of familiar characters with a not-so-familiar spin. Nice. The best part, however, may just be the end. It has a great "what happens next?" quality to it, and could make for some intriguing developments involving Cerebro.
	Recommendation:	BORROW IT!

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