Lots of thoughts on this one and no, they are not all about Guggenheim's writing. Not all.
I actually don't think I have time to go into all of the things I want to say, so I will not only be typing even faster than normal, and thus misspelling and using the wrong words, but I may do this in 2 or 3 rounds.
First off, a very small ... problem I had - They actually had a panel showing "Prestige" (Rachael Grey's new name) putting on that little black half-circle, raccoon-mask thing that is on her face. Since I first saw it a few months ago I have never liked that damn thing, whatever it is ... a Unibrow mask? ... but I just assumed it was somthing that popped up when she transformed into her costume. The fact that she actually takes the time to paste that damn ridiculous thing on her face before going out into action? WTF? I understand the idea of a mask, to hide your identity, but
THIS damn thing? REALLY?
STUPID!!!! Looks like she past out at a party and someone Sharpie'd her ass
The art - Nothing bad here, really, but you are essentially resetting the X-Men and this is the art you choose to grab everyone's attention? Marvel has recently stated that art doesn't sell the title as much as the writing and I get what they mean, but jesus man, you have to have a killer start to this, not just a great Dynamite style artist. Again, not knocking the artist, Syaf, I didn't mind the look at all for the most part and would enjoy seeing him on this title later down the line, but at the start? The "lets kick the X-Men back to where they were when they were great" issue? No, get a bigger name on this.
The writing - Not the worst Guggenheim I have read, but still ... I am just not a Guggenheim fan. But still again ... Not bad enough to make me jump off the title ... yet!!!
The main problem I have? The thing that makes me say this is not the way you bring the X-Men back? They are dated.
What I mean by that is, by in-large, society ... by mass percentage ... in America, has become way too accepting of "differences". Oh sure you have the far, far right asses that think a black guy is a danger because he is black, that women deserve less pay for doing the same work and that allowing gay marriage will somehow ruin their 'normal' marriage, but for the most part, America has become a more civil tolerant place. A place where "mutant hate" just doesn't work for me any longer.
Not to spoil much, but there is a scene where some lady screams the old 'get outta here, mutie' type of rhetoric and it jsut comes off as dated now. I know, looking out in the world, that while there are certainly those that would say that, I now know that there would also be, on the other side of the street, a group telling that lady to shut the hell up. The Anti-Mutant crowds of the past just don't work now. Or at least in that scene it didn't. I am not saying the X-Men can't return to "hero" glory, but having the citizens of America cry against them now, even in small groups, just doesn't work for me.
The last page does have me excited about the next issue however, so that is good, and I did enjoy the issue forthe most part, but I am worried that I may finally have to just let the X go if Marvel pushes the old way too much. Or at least drop this title if Guggenheim does.
Issue #1
7 outta 10 - Sharpie markers