Ok so with a short delay (a friggin month already? I didn't even.. dam sux to be a student, but better someday than never right?) I can finally say that I'm ready to at least try and cast my vote because both runs are totally worthy with some major and positive contributions for the X-mythos from those points on.
Both runs had some of the most explosive, diverse and incredibly interesting casts that with a sheer fact of them being on the page would make you want to read those comics (if you have something similar to what we call "taste" of course ;)) and when we talk about writers as good as Gillen and Carey, we already know it's gonna be something much, much more than just that. And that's why, in that area, the question isn't just "whose cast was better" because with all due respect to Carey and his roster, Gillen' Extinction team will stomp by default. It's probably my favorite lineup in all comics and maybe even like in everything... yeah, that's a confession (even to myself?) of kinds I try to avoid of making for the most time, but that's me being more than honest right here. In all seriousness, what kind of comic book fan wouldn't possibly be at least interested in a roster that involves Colossus' metamorphose into Juggernaut reunited with his little snowflake (in his myopic vision) who's in fact a twisted Hell-lord, now sharing the similar curse together? Namor and Storm who are both respectively King and Queen of Atlantis and Wakanda at a time? Scott and Emma showing more and more signs to the crisis in their relationship as the result of Schism and more. Yeah, and don't forget Magneto with Hope Summers, with latter being the center of mutant universe in that moment and former to just be there duh. All it needed to have Archangel or Omega Sentinel instead of Danger to be really perfect. Too perfect even. Anyway, getting back to the main point, it's not about undermining Carey's team, it's just things that we learn in comparison. The real question is, whose handling was better? Because that's where Gillen's flaws are going to be exposed pointwise. Will be getting there.
I will admit, as cliched as it was, the Namor/Emma/Scott apparent love triangle (of which Cycko wasn't even aware, the best part!) was on point. I really loved the idea of that emotionally, on a personal level, Cyclops might not be as well-guarded as he is at almost anything else, and that in time, the impact will be felt. And that's not even the main concern on the vast landscape of responsibilities, extravaganzas and rendezvouses he had to deal with. Again just think about the whole roster. And the fact they're extincting. Seriously, the concept was greatest. And the first arc was really strong. The revision committed on Sinister was just incredible (imagine my disappointment when I had to witness Lemire's most recent devolution and unimaginativeness with him) but I had that point covered already on multiple other threads on the Vine so I won't be getting more into details here. Even with Magneto being "plot" sidelined in that arc, and Sinister/Magneto panel-sharing was something I've been waiting long for, I was ok with that it's not happening in the setup arc (eventually it never did but that's a different issue). The fourth issue was the proof to the statement I kept repeating on these boards, guy's just that creative when he's on it. A single issue villain that steals the whole show... and from such team of so many favorites, and also explained the changes Sinister had went through at the same time. I love to be surprised and I was. Yet, from there, it all slowly slips down in quality. The next Tabula Rasa arc was... meh to say the least. And switching from Pacheco to Land didn't help either. Yeah that arc did setup the fan favorite dynamic between Magneto and Psylocke (that I'm pretty sure also inspired the recent depiction of Uncanny as well) but besides numerous character moments, that was a waste of 4 issues for the stories that might've been told instead, especially knowing that everything that comes after is an either pre-AvX or the AvX tie ins which makes the realization even more painful. The tie ins weren't bad, but then again it's not exactly what I really wanted to read about. That's why I'm considering the Fear Itself and AvX:Consequences to be additional parts of that run for the voting, because it's basically the prologue/epilogue to Gillen's work on Uncanny. And both were glorious.
We can argue all day and night if it was forced on him and that his show unapologetically switched the show-runner (and thus, their demands) but the fact is, it never gets as good as the first four issues (of vol.2) + FI/AvX:C tie ins that sets up such an incredible dynamic between Magik and Colossus that culminated by the end and was basically the apex of this run, but the things he achieved and set in motion deserve to be highlighted regardless:
Cyclops embracing belligerence. Ending his and Emma's relationship. In a different fashion, doing the same for Colossus and Magik. The transformation of Sinister. Making sense out of nonsensical AvX and almost restoring everything and everyone in the process (that achievement alone worth some writers' entire careers).
Now, about Carey's X-men. The first thing I'm going to emphasize on is his ability to write 20 characters at once and still to manage making them all sound distinguishable and almost all the time, spot on and true to the character. That's the main reason I miss him so much right now. Anyway, back to our specifics - Supernovas. The first arc, as usual sets the tone and carefully switches priorities if we're talking about respectful writers with appreciation for continuity and Carey is both. The narrative does address the previous run's plots, but at the same time emphasizes on a new direction and shapes the main plot around those same characters, old and new that are going to be central for what is future to be. The fun thing is, after Rogue is being asked to assemble her own "respond unit" the team assembles itself while responding. Those she has chosen herself aren't the only ones to stick around, some aren't there voluntarily and are in for their agenda, others are to be monitored, some happen to be sleeping agents and others may be as well they just don't know that. The dynamics are explosive by default, that with a strong characterization and writing in general, multiple and intriguing plot points, all is extremely appealing in every sense I can possibly think of. Maybe the art wasn't the strongest part of it, as I'm not biggest Bachalo and Ramos fan, but I must admit I wasn't also that much bothered by it. Ramos' art was actually much better than his recent work on Extra even. Another moment to say to Carey's credit would be his ability to dig the forgotten characters and bring them back to the spotlight: Marauders, Exodus, Omega Sentinel, as well as his appreciation to a younger cast, New X-men had few, yet pretty nice appearances that what is more importantly were done with respect to these characters as well disregarding the trend for OOC appearances that most of the time happen with some shallow agendas of throwing them under the bus for all them unjustified reasons.
Yet, for all multiple praises Carey deserves, there's something that I must add, and that would be the most problematic part of his pretty short run, it's not really memorable. It's hard to highlight something to really standout as a big and definitive plot twist or character developments. His work is of quality, that's for certain, but just wasn't iconic in this regard.
Summarizing everything said, it's really hard to pick a winner in this one as Gillen had more highlights yet in the same time more quality drops, while Carey was pretty consistent in delivering good work but without highlights. One thing is certain, noth are extremely talented writers with a strong grasp on X-mythos and are very much missed on the books if you ask me. I think I'll concede a draw right here. A rare example quality works compared, so if anything I'd love the franchise to be filled with that kind of resolutions more in the future. That would mean we actually have multiple good books to look for.
A little of topic, did anyone read creator owned projects from Gillen and Carey? I was thinking of getting the trades of Suicide Risk and Uber, are they good?
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