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X-Men: Schism #2 - Schism, Part Two

3

Can the a new generation of kids take down the X-Men?

Marvel releases the second issue in their five part story arc which promises to alter the current state of the X-Men team as we know it.

The Good

If I have to point out one thing about this issue I found to be exceptional, it's the art. Then again, when you have an artist like Frank Cho penciling the issue, it's hard to make a mistake. The art is very good. The story however, left something to be desired. One thing I could appreciate from this issue was the pacing. In no way did the issue feel rushed. The evidence between Cyclops and Wolverine is evident and increasing in this issue. The heightened tension between the two characters has been gradual, something I think is important. Writer Jason Aaron has been cautious not to reveal all his cards at once.

I think it is interesting to rope the Hellfire Club into the story; it's been a while since I have seen them take center stage in any "X" books.

The Bad

I hate to say it, but I'm having trouble getting behind the idea that a group of rich, snot nosed kids have taken the reigns and full control of the Hellfire Club, and now plan to exterminate mutantkind. I just don't find it feasible. I know, it's a comic book; it's not meant to be realistic. I guess I just don't find the idea of a bunch of kids being in so much control and concocting plans against the entire mutant race as interesting or believable. The story doesn't really have me at the edge of my seat, either. I understand Quentin's character is supposed to be obnoxious, but in this series he's gone too far. There is such thing as a character being *too* annoying. So far, I'm not impressed with the story's set up, so hopefully it will pick up.

The Verdict

The last two issues in general have not been incredibly interesting. That's not to say the writing or the art was necessarily bad, because it wasn't; it moreso has to do with the premise of the story. For whatever reason I am just not interested or invested in the current SCHISM story line. I find that the adversaries in the book are not engaging or very interesting, and their motives are not very clear. Basically, a bunch of kids and some low grade sentinels vs. the entire mutant race does not make for an exhilarating story. This isn't something totally new and interesting that we have never seen before.

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JonesDeini

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Edited By JonesDeini

This Kade Kid's a joke. Bastion and his army of mutant haters=legit threat. Kade and his cronies =bad joke. 

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BransonHuggins

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Edited By BransonHuggins

I am really trying to enjoy this series, but I just can't. Quientin makes me want to ring his little neck, and Scott not either letting Wolverine do what needs to be done, or turning him over to Steve Rogers is ridiculous.  Hey, yeah, let's keep this all in house, because you know we are the X-Men, and EVERY mutant in the world is under are protection and are protection alone.  I get it, Cyclops is supposed to be seen as making bad, maybe irrational decisions.  My fear is that this Kade kid, is somehow psychically controlling him in some way.  The whole thing with Kade finishing the sentence was a bit strange, and gave me that vibe.  Maybe I am looking to far into it, just saying. 

Then there's the kids all together, and yeah,I have to agree.  I don't fine them threatening.  Okay, so this little girl killed some aliens with ease, okay.  Not really seeing her as much of a threat.  the kids in general, not much of a threat.  

I know where this is all going.  Cyclops made the decision to send the mutants to this unveiling, okay.  So he sends some of the Generation Hope up and comers.  Kids Wolverine has shown to take a personal investment in.  One of them is going to get killed, or do something so traumatic that Wolverine is going to blame Cyclops for having sent them there in the first place.  Next thing you know, Wolverine wants blood.  He won't take it, not directly, but Cyclops will step down.  Thiss is all "the plan" of the new Hellfire club, to break up the X-Men.  To cause a "schism" in there ranks, and make them easier to take out.  I could be wrong, but this is where I see this going.


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Mucklefluga

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Edited By Mucklefluga

Why has the little girl got a bloody LIGHTSABER!?!?!
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deactivated-5c6600594117e

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I hate to say it, but I'm having trouble getting behind the idea that a group of rich, snot nosed kids have taken the reigns and full control of the Hellfire Club, and now plan to exterminate mutantkind. I just don't find it feasible. I know, it's a comic book; it's not meant to be realistic. I guess I just don't find the idea of a bunch of kids being in so much control and concocting plans against the entire mutant race as interesting or believable. 
 
This sums up my thoughts perfectly.
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jcbart

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Edited By jcbart

Not very good so far. The threats seem so random: a bunch of idiotic kids? Quentin Quire suddenly appearing (how did he get out of the X-Men's basement after last being seen in Phoenix: Endsong?)? I really thought that X-Force would be leaked to the public (which was toyed with in Uncanny X-F), a great way for trust to break between Cyclops and Logan and for humans to lash out against mutants with sentinels.  
Also, anyone else not fond of the continuity? I'm pretty sure Thor, Iron Man, Steve Rogers and The Avengers wouldn't have any time to globe trot and kill sentinels given their current situation in Fear Itself? It has been numerously stated that "there's a reason Fear Itself and Schism end at the same time", so why aren't there ANY connections (or even acknowledgements) between the two? 
Oh, and Cyclops really looks like a wiry 50 year-old man, what's up with that Frank Cho?

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Daycrawler

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Edited By Daycrawler
@jcbart said:
Not very good so far. The threats seem so random: a bunch of idiotic kids? Quentin Quire suddenly appearing (how did he get out of the X-Men's basement after last being seen in Phoenix: Endsong?)? I really thought that X-Force would be leaked to the public (which was toyed with in Uncanny X-F), a great way for trust to break between Cyclops and Logan and for humans to lash out against mutants with sentinels.  Also, anyone else not fond of the continuity? I'm pretty sure Thor, Iron Man, Steve Rogers and The Avengers wouldn't have any time to globe trot and kill sentinels given their current situation in Fear Itself? It has been numerously stated that "there's a reason Fear Itself and Schism end at the same time", so why aren't there ANY connections (or even acknowledgements) between the two? Oh, and Cyclops really looks like a wiry 50 year-old man, what's up with that Frank Cho?
Schism is meant to be taking place after Fear Itself has concluded. Just marvelous Marvel scheduling that means both stories are actually hitting the shelves at the same time.  The Kade kid elaborated in issue one that he broke Quire out of utopia (something about using a stealth suit!). 
  
I'm kinda warming to Kade Kilgore and his crew. I'm seeing them as the Runaways, but from a What If universe where they were evil and worse than their folks. Agree that they're not the most serious of threats the X-dudes have had to deal with  though! Kinda hoping that the threats are layering up to something bigger, as aluded to in Prelude (i.e. Quire > Old Sentinel Tech > Kade > Something Bigger > KABOOM!). If it's just the kids then I will be disappointed.  
 
I think it would be crazy not to have the revelation of X-Force being a big factor in all this. 
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Edited By Iron Apollo

is it the or a?

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keith71_98

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Edited By keith71_98

@Babs I disagree with the feasible argument especially considering this is an X-Men comic. X books seem to stretch the imagination in all kinds of directions so this isn't that different. 
 
But, that said, comics speak to different people in different ways and I would be dishonest if I didn't say I have felt the same way you have about other books. In other words, I understand your argument.
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@Jake Fury said:

I hate to say it, but I'm having trouble getting behind the idea that a group of rich, snot nosed kids have taken the reigns and full control of the Hellfire Club, and now plan to exterminate mutantkind. I just don't find it feasible. I know, it's a comic book; it's not meant to be realistic. I guess I just don't find the idea of a bunch of kids being in so much control and concocting plans against the entire mutant race as interesting or believable. 
 
This sums up my thoughts perfectly.
Right behind you!