The Shock Of The New
This issue is part 2 of a 4-part miniseries dealing with the aftermath of Jubilee’s transformation into a vampire at the hands of Dracula’s son, Xarus.
Issue #1 of this miniseries was, quite simply, terrific. One of the best comic books I’d read in quite a while, and centered around one of my favorite characters and the harrowing new reality she faces.
Caution: spoilers follow.
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Ok then.
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When I read the online previews for issue #2 (which only show you the first couple of pages), I have to admit I was a little perturbed. The opening page gave a recap of the story thus far in a form of “teenspeak” that Jubilee had grown out of quite some time ago, and the “monkey” and “soup” comments a couple of pages in made me wonder whether writer Kathryn Immonen had lost the plot and was trying to regress Jubilee.
What I liked:
But then I picked up my copy and read it cover to cover, and was relieved to see that I was mistaken. This was a solid issue, well written by Immonen and complemented with Phil Noto’s impressive art. The comments I referred to, in light of the rest of the story, seemed to be Jubilee’s attempt at a joke to lighten an otherwise serious and dark situation. Logan has brought her halfway around the world, partially to get her away from the situation back in the States (see issue #1), and partially to trace the origins of that situation. Fans of Jubilee and her relationship with Logan may be a bit shocked at the turn this relationship seems to take at first, with Logan essentially seething with anger and deeply mistrustful of her. (Her response to this revelation is subdued at first, underscoring just how different a character she is now.) But what may truly shock them is what happens next, when he takes her for a ride into the Siberian wilderness. But what seems at first to be a sudden and brutal attack quickly reveals itself for what it really is: Logan simply trying to get a feel for what his young friend is now capable of with her new powers. (Remember, this is a very new situation to him as well.) Jubilee handles herself well, giving every bit as good as she gets, and the two later share a bonding moment that fans will find heartwarming. Jube’s new powers, as well as her seeming total lack of fear, are showcased well in this issue when she single-handedly takes on a charging horde of the undead and makes short work of them. But then things later take a turn, when the sinister vampire woman from issue #1 suddenly appears to make trouble. It’s a solid ending, perhaps even more so than the one in the first issue.
What I didn’t like:
Just two things that I can think of. First, I’m still not fond of that “teenspeak” recap on the first page, as it represents a stage of Jubilee’s life long past. And second, the yellow coat again? Seriously? I dislike that for the same reason. I suppose I can forgive it in this issue due to the fact that Logan seemingly packed Jube’s clothes while she was unconscious, and she had nothing else to wear when they got to Siberia.
Despite the doubt I initially felt from reading the online preview, this issue really pulled it out of the hat and impressed me. It’s told from the perspective of a Jubilee still reeling from the “shock of the new”, quietly lamenting the fact that she seems to have lost the ability to feel. Kathryn Immonen and Phil Noto continue to shine in this miniseries. I really hope they can keep up the momentum, but if the first two issues are any indication, they should do well.
A solid 4.5 out of 5 stars.