Astonishing X-Men Annual #1 Review

Astonishing X-Men Annual #1 Review

Cover - 3/5

- Would I pick-up the comic based on the cover alone? Are the alternate covers appealing? Does the cover portray what happens in the issue?

Art - 4/5

- Do I personally like this artist's style? Does the artist stay true to the characters appearance?

Colors/Ink/Lettering - 4/5

- Does the work blend well with the artist? Is the coloring/inking enjoyable and easy to distinguish what's happening? Can I easily read the lettering?

Layout/Flow - 5/5

- Does the layout of the issue make it easy to read? Does the issue have a good flow of the plot and keep me engaged?

Story - 4/5

- Weighted Triple. How well did the issue further develop the current story? How well did the issue further develop the characters? Did I enjoy reading the issue?

Verdict - 4

- Sometimes Annuals are important others time they are not. This I would classify as not. On the cover we get each of the characters in the issue, while Northstar and Kyle Jinadu are the main focus. The story focuses on Northstar and Kyle's Honeymoon being interrupted by the X-Men. It seems that the Friends of Humanity are targeting the X-Men's families and the only person fast enough to save them is of course Northstar. So while he runs around the world saving everyone, Kyle questions what his life is going to be like now. He talks to each of the X-Men about what this life means, and wonders if he can handle it. Eventually Kyle becomes a target and with quick thinking is able to stall until Northstar comes to the rescue. In the end he realizes that there is no place he would rather be and that the X-Men are like family now. For me this issue was okay but not something I feel is a must read. They might expand on the FoH in later issues but I don't believe not reading the Annual will effect what happens later.