X-Men: Prelude to Schism #1

Flashbacks consisting of Cyclops' time as a member of the X-Men under the guidance of Professor X fill the pages of this book which is the prelude to the next X-Men event, Schism.

The Good

I'm usually not one who enjoys X-books, especially preludes to major summer events. Many times, they're lackluster overall, but in issue one of Prelude to Schism, we get more than a set-up to a major story arc. We get to view the relationship between Cyclops and Charles Xavier over the years, and you know what? It's a page turner. We get to view brief moments in this father-son relationship and how Charles wants to shape his young mind.

The writing of Paul Jenkins will keep you glued to the page. Yes, this comic is a lot of two guys talking to each other, but it's incredibly interesting because we get to see more private moments between two characters we don't get to see interact on a personal level that much. Aside from that, you'll fly through this issue, in a good way. It's a quick read, or least it feels like it because I was really dragged into the story.

The Bad

I'm not too sure how I feel about the art on this book. At no point do I feel like it is "bad," but at certain times, it becomes distracting from the story. The scenes featuring Charles and Scott are have a noir feel to them. They're dark and gritty and fit the story incredibly well, but at certain times, during a couple flashback scenes, the art is disproportionate and distracting. This was my only problem with the issue.

The Verdict

Surprisingly, I really enjoyed this issue. The writing is outstanding, and while the art can be a bit hit or miss, mostly hit, the actually story is incredibly captivating. Sure, a lot of the time a comic about two guys reflecting on their life is a gamble, but Jenkins really grounds this issue and makes it worth the read. This is a great starting point for all those excited about the upcoming event, and I'd recommend buying it.