DnA, who are now well known for their incredible success in crafting epic stories in Marvel’s cosmic universe, have recently been branching out to various earth-based titles with varying success. However, ALL of their non-cosmic work have still been fun reads and worth picking up—with Heroes for Hire being a particularly noteworthy title in which these two creators have provided this reviewer with some highly entertaining reading.
But New Mutants represents a major achievement for DnA’s career in my eyes: in their two issues on the book they have delivered a non-cosmic based Marvel story which is as fun and inventive as their best cosmic stories, while also maintaining the characterization and tone of the X universe as well. In typical DnA fashion, this title effortlessly blends sci-fi adventure and spot-on character building to great effect. In short order, the team is introduced and then promptly set out on an adventure in which the strengths and team dynamic of this group of young mutants is revealed as their mission progresses. In this issue—the second part of their opening arc, with art duties by the amazing Leandro Fernandez—the villain is the central focus and the threat he poses is unmistakably sinister, even if he may be a familiar face for some readers. Indeed, perhaps the most remarkable aspect of this issue is its accessibility. I can’t help but admire just how effortlessly DnA integrate elements from previous X events to help propel the story’s plot while not allowing the book to be mired in this same continuity. Longtime X fans may get some additional enjoyment out of the nods to these past stories, but this arc is still structured so that new readers will certainly be intrigued by these past events and characters without causing any confusion in regard to the story taking place.
I mentioned the art provided by Mr. Fernandez and I must reiterate now, I don’t know what else he has worked on but I’ll definitely have to check out out. He maintains a focus on character and is able to convey personality in a manner quite appropriate for an introduction tale and one centered upon a younger team—and a tragically exploited victim of the villain.
With Fernandez’s help directing the events, DnA have finally delivered upon the promise of their very best cosmic stories to the mainstream Marvel U. Believe it. Fans of DnA’s cosmic work really should be picking this up, and fans of the X universe would be crazy not to check this out.