This was another week packed with comic book releases. To give proper coverage to everything I put together another wrap up spotlighting this week’s releases. This week the spotlight reviews for several new #1 issues. They are for Antarctica #1, Rogue & Gambit #5, and Scarlet Witch #6.
Catch our individual reviews for Knight Terrors #1, Sirens of the City #1, and World’s Finest: Teen Titans #1.
ANTARCTICA #1
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Simon Birks
Artist: Willi Roberts
Letterer: Lyndon White
REVIEW
The opening and closing pages of Antarctica #1 provide a great mystery for our lead character to follow. Sandwiched in between that mystery is what feels like a side mission in a video game. The side story that takes up half of the issue does help the reader get to know Hannah and how she views the world. That said, it does seem like it was a story that we had to speedrun to get back to the main mystery.
The main mystery around Hannah’s father mysteriously disappearing during her childhood is one you wish we got more time with. This is because its not until the last handful of pages where we start down the path of Antarctica being a place Hannah needs to explore. Before that there was no telling where her father was or how he was possibly involved in some sort of excursion.
Fortunately, once Hannah does go to Antarctica the story picks up momentum. That’s thanks to meeting the two characters that have some relation to Hannah’s father’s disappearance. Both are presented as strong individuals who bring something different to the table. In the brief tease it does appear they’ll compliment Hannah well as part of the main cast of Antarctica.
Willi Roberts artwork did a great job at carrying the emotion spectrum that we saw Hannah go through during her two journeys in Antarctica #1. All of the character designs was brimming with personality for each character. Even more impressive was the variety of settings that Roberts drew. From urban city environment to various building interiors the settings were well detailed. The most impressive of them was how Roberts got over the cold and dark look of Antarctic and how characters stood out in such a setting.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Antarctica #1 is a tale of two stories of different degrees of importance. One is the main mystery surrounding our lead character. Then there is what felt like a side mission in a video game. The side mission did not hit as intended, though it did give the series lead time to showcase her personality. The main mystery of Antarctica #1 is where this first issue shines and hopefully is the main-focus moving forward.
Story Rating: 6 Night Girls out of 10
Art Rating: 8 Night Girls out of 10
Overall Rating: 7 Night Girls out of 10
ROGUE & GAMBIT #5
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Stephanie Phillips
Artist: Carlos Gomez
Colorist: Fer Sifuenes-Sujo
Letterer: Ariana Maher
REVIEW
Rogue & Gambit #5 is a sneaky important comic book to the bigger X-Men picture with the upcoming Fall of X storyline. That importance does not come out of nowhere, as a tease for the development is something Phillips introduced us with Rogue, Manifold, and Destiny in the first issue of the series. Now with what is revealed there is a new context where you can have a different experience in re-reading this Rogue & Gambit series.
This development both highlights the strength of Rogue and Destiny’s mother-daughter relationship and the difficult decisions many characters will likely have to make during Fall of X. And as we see with the fact that the decision Rogue makes to go along with Destiny’s plan, because of the future she has seen in her vision, taking Manifold off the table is a big one. This has a lot of ramifications for not only Rogue’s standing with the X-Men and Krakoa but could mean we see Black Panther and Wakanda respond if they find out. To Stephanie Phillips and Carlos Gomez credit they make sure the weight is felt by how Rogue speaks with Destiny as well as her mannerism. This helps get over how big of deal this as Rogue knows this goes against what she believes in.
As big of a focal point as the fate of Manifold is, the rest of Rogue & Gambit #5 is also an enjoyable conclusion to this mini-series. Phillips once again has the chemistry Rogue and Gambit have shine throughout. In the battle with Power Broker, we see how they are an unstoppable pair who even someone with overwhelming power will be defeated by Rogue and Gambit’s chemistry. That trust then is further exemplified by how Gambit saves Rogue from having to live with a mind controlling chip. It was a creative way for Gambit to use his power and not have that be a daggling sub-plot for the future.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Rogue & Gambit #5 is a comic book that X-Men fans do not want to miss out on. There is a major decision that happens in this issue that will have a direct impact to Fall of X. Beyond that, this issue does a great job at wrapping up a fun series that once again showcases what makes Rogue and Gambit great characters. If you didn’t pick up the individual issues make sure to pick up this series by Stephanie Phillips and Carlos Gomez when it comes out in trade format.
Story Rating: 8 Night Girls out of 10
Art Rating: 8 Night Girls out of 10
Overall Rating: 8 Night Girls out of 10
SCARLET WITCH #6
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Steve Orlando
Artists: Lorenzo Tammetta and Sara Pichelli
Colorist: Frank Martin
Letterer: Joe Sabino
REVIEW
As has become a trend for Scarlet Witch, Steve Orlando, along with artists Lorenzo Tammetta and Sara Pichelli, once again shows how to tell a full narrative with this latest issue featuring Wanda Maximoff meeting with Wiccan and Hulkling. What is most impressive is how Orlando continues to show how Wanda is a character that is not limited to one or two corners of the Marvel Universe. Whether its through her powers or past ties with the Avengers and X-Men, Wanda is a character that can fit all sorts of stories.
For Scarlet Witch #6 we see how Wanda can easily get involved on the cosmic side of the Marvel Universe. Her relationship with her son Wiccan is an easy connection point to get Wanda involved with the current politics of the cosmic corner. Once again, we see Wanda’s leadership abilities shine through as she plays mediator between the person seeking her help and Hulkling. In showing empathy Wanda is able to come to the best solution for this story.
It’s also appreciated Orlando integrated the history of the Kree and Skrulls as something that Hulkling can’t just erase. There is so much to the history of both that as their ultimate Emperor, Hulkling has to continue to deal with as he learns about different dealings.
With all that said, it will be the ending of Scarlet Witch #6 that this issue will be remembered for. Magneto returning is a big deal as it did seem this time around he would stay dead, at least through the end of Fall of X if not longer. The suddenness of his return does create a lot of questions. A big one is if this is actually Magneto and not a villain playing a trick on Wanda. That is a possibility that should always be a factor.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Scarlet Witch #6 is yet another example of this series being one of the best comic books Marvel is publishing right now. Steve Orlando, Lorenzo Tammetta and Sara Pichelli know how to tell a full story in one issue that can have a big scope to it while highlighting Wanda Maximoff’s leadership and powers. The hook ending leaves the reader with a lot of questions to look forward to how Orlando will answer.
Story Rating: 8 Night Girls out of 10
Art Rating: 8 Night Girls out of 10
Overall Rating: 8 Night Girls out of 10