The last of the Age of Revelation X-Men titles, the somewhat clunkily named Expatriate X-Men, continues Eve Ewing’s story X years into the future. But where Exceptional X-Men followed young mutants finding their way, Expatriate X-Men is all about those fledgling heroes having become experienced, seasoned mutant fighters. Eve Ewing writes, joined by NYX artist duo Francesco Mortarino on the pencils and Raul Angulo for the colours. If Exceptional X-Men wasn’t your scene, thanks to the new characters and the slower pace, you still might want to give Expatriate X-Men a look; it has some refreshing intensity and more than a few surprises that make this book the rare upgrade over its main timeline counterpart.
In the absence of their mentors Emma Frost and Kitty Pryde, Expatriate X-Men focuses on the student characters from Exceptional X-Men: Bronze, Melee, and Rift, joined by Kamala Khan. 10 years in the future, and the once wide-eyed young aspiring heroes are now hardened, seasoned guerrilla fighters, fighting in the Revelation territories from their floating flotilla fleet, orchestrating rescue operations and daring raids. There’s a maturity and assurance to the former students that conveys how they’ve been hardened by the world quite effectively. Kamala even swears for good measure, letting the reader know that we’re not in Jersey anymore and that the training wheels are well and truly off.
Eve Ewing goes for a different approach than simply having her team be resistance fighters in a dystopia. The Expatriate X-Men are more mercenary than heroes; more calculating and ruthless than anyone could have thought possible if they had read NYX or Exceptional X-Men. They’re more cynical, more hardened by the world, and willing to cut deals with the likes of Mystique to get advantages in the world of Revelation. It’s an interesting approach, refreshing in a way to see this kind of practicality and cynicism in these characters. They aren’t a unified, amiable group either. Kamala and Thao bicker and butt heads, clearly at odds in how they approach things, while Bronze tries to keep the peace, and Rift more often than not sides with Thao.
One issue is how short this issue feels. Though standard length, it breezes by very quickly, and it feels like the story just begins when the issue ends. While this wouldn’t be a problem in a longer series, for a 3-issue mini it becomes a practical concern to ask whether the story can fit within the confines allotted.
Francesco Mortarino and Raul Angulo are the artist and colourist from NYX, joining Eve Ewing here in place of Carmen Carnero and Nolan Woodard. Mortarino’s style is unique and visually distinctive, excelling at beautiful splash pages of scenery and bringing a clear, fun, and visually appealing view of the action and story. Angulo’s colours are the perfect complement, bathing the panels in vivid and evocative colour work. One page depicting an action sequence comes across as stiff, but overall, the art is a triumph.
Expatriate X-Men #1 sets up an interesting premise by exploring just how this cast of characters has changed and become more jaded. The art is strong and suits the characters well, while the story is intriguing, if a bit brief and cutting off right when the momentum begins to build. Eve Ewing, Francesco Mortarino, and Raul Angulo succeed here and build a strong foundation to work off of; one hopes that the remaining two issues can convey the story they want to tell effectively and adequately.
‘Expatriate X-Men’ #1 Ms. Marvel takes the X-Kids from Students to Soldiers
Expatriate X-Men #1 sets up an interesting premise by exploring just how this cast of characters has changed and become more jaded. The art is strong and suits the characters well, while the story is intriguing, if a bit brief and cutting off right when the momentum begins to build.
