X-Men #34 is one of the last issues of Gerry Duggan’s run on this series. With how things have escalated with Charles Xavier betraying everyone by siding with Orchis in a desperate attempt to save mutants. As Xavier has gone with his usual communication style of leaving most out of his plan he has become enemy #1 for everyone, including the X-Men. Now with the X-Men hunting Xavier how will things go next in the Fall of the House of X and Rise of the Powers of X crossover? Let’s find out with X-Men #34.
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Gerry Duggan
Artist: Joshua Cassara
Colorist: Romulo Fajardo Jr.
Letterer: Clayton Cowles
X-MEN #34 SOLICITATION
“THE END IS NIGH! The Krakoan Age is nearly at an end… and what might be the final battle of the heroes of Krakoa! One last stop before the fall and rise come to their conclusion… and everything changes!” – Marvel Comics
REVIEW
Much like X-Men: Forever acts as a place for the cut scenes from Rise of the Powers of X, X-Men #34 gives more time for scenes we saw during recent Fall of the House of X. At this point that is what Gerry Duggan has decided to do with these X-Men tie-in issues. Focusing on the action at least provides the general superhero entertainment we expect from the X-Men.
What was particularly refreshing about X-Men #34 compared to other tie-ins is how we see the team working together. The Fall of X period meant we went a long time without seeing the X-Men acting as superheroes. They have mostly operated in small teams or duos for the last year. Finally with X-Men #34 we see a mostly full X-Men team working together.
Focusing on the superhero X-Men was the best call. Duggan even seemingly had self-awareness as X-Men #34 progress that there was no need for a narrator for this issue. We see this with how at the beginning of the issue Duggan tries to make Ben Urich the narrator but quickly abandons this narrative angle. It was for the best because the opening was the weakest part of X-Men #34 because of how Duggan tried and failed with Urich’s dialogue.
Dealing with the last remnants of Orchis led by MODOK was the best way to show the X-Men’s chemistry. MODOK is a villain that we’ve seen tied to Orchis over the last few years. Thanks to those ties MODOK has regained some of his previous power as a threat. Which is on full display here as MODOK use what remains of Orchis to turn into his own monstrous army.
This provided a scenario for the X-Men to do what they do best, save the day. While defeat MODOK was the goal we saw how Firestar, Ms. Marvel, Emma Frost, Synch, and Wolverine were saving people at the same time. They were constantly present in the now and how people where in danger because of Orchis.
Seeing the X-Men do the superhero thing made the teamwork they go on to show against MODOK work much better. The combo attacks by Synch and Laura Kinney’s Wolverine was particularly a nice payoff to their development as a pair. This was also better integration of Ms. Marvel as we actually see her get experience work as part of the X-Men. We see that she is still learning but this was by far the best showing Ms. Marvel has had since becoming an X-Men.
The Shadowcat side of the story did well in continuing to push the Charles Xavier narrative. Shadowcat hunt for Xavier puts over how hurt and angry the X-Men are at their mentor and Krakoa leader for his betrayal. That boiling over in Shadowcat becoming so narrow focused that she lashes out at Caliban showed how much weight she has been carrying throughout Fall of X and this crossover.
Wolverine showing up to confront Shadowcat was a great utilization of their previous mentor-protégé bond. Finally, after constantly pushing forward Shadowcat was able to process her hurt and anger. Wolverine, in his own way, gave Shadowcat a chance to catch her breath and understand the weight of what she was doing became too heavy. Kate Pryde coming to the conclusion that once this event is over, she is done with the X-Men sets her up to showcase what the fallout of this story will be from a character specific angle.
X-Me #34 ending with Wolverine now making it his mission to put an end to Xavier was a solid hook ending. It is an ending that is elevated by Joshua Cassara artwork. The intensity of this ending was captured thanks to the cool splash page. It sets up Wolverine, to hopefully, have a big role in how this crossover will end.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Gerry Duggan and Joshua Cassara deliver a comic book in X-Men #34 that builds momentum for how Fall of the House of X and Rise of the Powers of X will end. This did as much as a tie-in can do to progress the narrative of the main story being told in the two core titles telling this event. Now the stage is set for the conclusion of Fall of the House of X and Rise of the Powers of X to set-up the new path forward for the franchise.
Story Rating: 7 Night Girls out of 10
Art Rating: 8 Night Girls out of 10
Overall Rating: 7.5 Night Girls out of 10
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