New Mutants: Truth or Death #1

During a blackout in the past, the New Mutants decide to play a game of "Truth or Dare". Sunspot challenges Magik to accept a dare, and the team finds themselves teleported into the near future. There, Magik learns that she will die of the Legacy Virus, and the race is on to find a way to prevent her demise, regardless of the consequences that it causes to the future. "Truth or Death" asks the question, "What would YOU do if faced with your own mortality?"  Ben Raab writes an exceptional tale of love, loss, secrets, and familial bonds that serve to expand the character dynamics of the X-Men's junior team of super heroes. For a three-issue mini series, we are treated to a deeper look into what makes each individual member of the New Mutants tick. We find out where their loyalties lie, and what they are capable of in order to accomplish their respective task at hand. 
 
Even though "Truth Or Death" plays it safe, Raab writes it well. Bernard Chang's pencils are competent. He manages to successfully capture the world of the New Mutants in his art, although the kids' facial expressions are a bit peculiar, at times. I see a lot of similarities between Danielle Moonstar and the Disney character Pocahantas in this. You may guffaw, but I challenge you to research it yourself, and see what I mean. I was particularly fond of Raab's portrayal of Illyana Rasputin. Zeb Wells, the current writer of the New Mutants, often writes her dialogue as if she were some character from a medieval fantasy title. In "Truth Or Death", she is the Illyana most fans remember her as. A mouthy, sarcastic kid with a grasp of popular youth culture, who just so happens to be an evil demonic sorceress. 
 
I feel the entire creative team did a good job at creating a stand-alone mini-series for the sake of nostalgia, and character familiarization. Without revealing the storyline's shocking ending, I will say that you won't walk away from the story with anything new, with the exception of how Illyana Rasputin tragically acquired the deadly Legacy Virus. Ultimately, Illyana is portrayed as the heroine that she is, by accepting a fate that is unavoidable. Magik's sacrifice to ensure that the space-time continuum is not irrevocably destroyed is an appropo lesson in the hardships that we face in life, and the interpersonal struggles we deal with, every day. I give "New Mutants: Truth Or Death" #1 2 two and a half out of five stars. Granted, it was too in-depth to be adequately covered in three issues, but the climax managed to serve the purpose of the storyline.