Review: Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Crystal - Episode 5

Rumours are swirling about Makoto Kino, the new girl at school. She apparently got kicked out of her last school and is said to have superhuman strength. Ignoring what everyone else has to say, Usagi makes friends with Makoto over lunch. 

Meanwhile, men are disappearing all over the city and some believe a ghost to be responsible.

As the fifth entry of Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Crystal, "Act 5 Makoto -Sailor Jupiter-" continues the string of episodes that are faithfully adapted from its source text. The introduction of Sailor Jupiter and the disappearances of men serve as the A and B plot, just as they did in the manga. The idea of a mannequin coming to life and kidnapping grooms-to-be is chilling, which helps keep the darker tone to this series that much more consistent. Additionally, Sailor Jupiter makes quite an impression in her first appearance. As Makoto, she has an Amazonian presence and proves to be quite likeable. Interestingly, there are some hints that Ami and Rei may be envious of Usagi's budding friendship with the new girl. It remains to be seen whether this will get picked up later, but it could make for an interesting plot point.

One of the major strengths to Sailor Moon Crystal is its dedication to character and plot development. Usagi's character is so much more relatable and likeable than she was in any other medium. She's portrayed as someone who marches to the beat of her own drum and makes friends with just about anyone. The selfishness and childishness that plagued previous incarnations isn't as prominent. Furthermore, past adaptations drew out Makoto's fixation on her sempai to the point where it became a punchline. In this episode, what happened with her sempai is told through a flashback and this offers up a sense of closure instead of leaving the viewer hanging. Even still, we're left with some question marks with her background. Crystal references the notion that Makoto isn't familiar with the city (does that mean she just moved there?) and we're not told about her family situation (are her parents dead like in other incarnations?). Finally, this episode continues to hint at the fact that Queen Beryl's Generals have a past connection to the Sailor Guardians. It's a nice reference to the manga and helps to further weave them into the story beyond being generic henchmen.

If Sailor Jupiter was one of your favourite characters growing up, then this episode will be a perfect re-introduction to the character. She's a little more mature and has more depth than before, so it's hard not to like her even more. The villainous plot is also quite eerie and sounds like it came straight out of a horror film. All in all, Sailor Moon Crystal continues to impress.

Review: The New Avengers - The Reunion

Having spent years in captivity at the hands of the Skrull, Mockingbird is trying to find her way in a world that has changed since she's been gone. She's created a new anti-terrorism task force and is eager to get back into the game as a super spy, but is finding it difficult to accomplish her goals with her estranged husband sniffing around her operations.

New Avengers: The Reunion collects the four issue mini-series of the same name, written by Jim McCann and art by David López.

Once a staple of the Avengers during the late-'80s and early-'90s, Mockingbird was tragically killed off and faded into obscurity. All that changed when the character was brought back during Secret Invasion. With the revelation that she'd been replaced by a Skrull years ago, there were many questions to be answered and Jim McCann addresses each one magnificently in this collection. Over the course of The Reunion, McCann slowly peels back the layers of Mockingbird's character and reveals to the reader what she'd been through when she was a captive of the Skrulls. Her harrowing experiences are documented through incredibly effective flashbacks.

The major question that dictates the direction of the narrative is whether Mockingbird had been replaced before or after her divorce to Hawkeye. With the reader aware that she'd fully intended to end their relationship years ago, the tension is palpable and the awkwardness between her and her estranged husband adds dimension to the story. It would have been easy for McCann to write the reunion between Mr. and Mrs. Clint Barton as a sappy romance, but he takes the alternate route of addressing the fact that their relationship is severely flawed and Mockingbird's uncomfortableness with the world around her. Not only that, but he makes a conscious effort to emphasize what makes both of these characters so unique. Often cited as ripoffs of DC Comics' Green Arrow and Black Canary, Hawkeye and Mockingbird seem like independent creations here. Mockingbird is especially treated well, with McCann smartly emphasizing the character's scientific knowledge.

Normally I'd count David López as one of my least favourite comic book artists, but his work in The Reunion is spot-on. Not only does he manage to capture the characters and tone of the book perfectly, but he gave Mockingbird one of the chicest redesigns I've ever seen.

The New Avengers: The Reunion is truly a hidden gem in Marvel's catalogue. It celebrates one of their most underrated characters and gives her an opportunity to prove why she's not just a knockoff of Black Canary. Jim McCann does a great job with the story and characters, writing them with enthusiasm and depth. Paired with López's art, this is one mini-series that proved to be quite impressive. If you enjoyed Mr. & Mrs. Smith, this collection should be right up your alley!

Rating: B+

Top 10: Greatest Women of the X-Men

As one of Marvel's most successful properties, the X-Men have been an enduring symbol of equality and diversity. This is in part due to the stellar cast of female characters that have been members of this illustrious team of mutants. Where other superhero books struggled to maintain a strong female presence, the X-Men continually broke barriers and records with their multi-dimensional portrayals of women. 

As writer Brian Wood puts it, "[…] the women are the X-Men. Cyclops and Wolverine are big names, but taken as a whole, the women kind of rule the franchise. If you look at the entire world as a whole, it's the females that really dominate and are the most interesting and cool to look at."

Listed here are the top ten greatest female members of the X-Men. Those selected were chosen based on their importance to the franchise, mutant abilities, personality, recognizability, and relevance.

10. Magik (Illyana Rasputin)

First Appearance: Giant-Size X-Men #1 (1975)

Mutant Powers: Sorcery, teleportation

Essential Storylines: Uncanny X-Men #160, New Mutants #14, The Quest for Magik, X-Men: Hellbound, Uncanny X-Men: Revolution

As a child, Illyana Rasputin was spirited away to Limbo where the demon Belasco siphoned off bits of her soul in order to summon the Elder Gods to take over Earth. This event left Illyana deeply corrupted and led towards her becoming the ruler of Limbo. Over the years, she has fought her darker impulses to fight for good as a member of the New Mutants and later as a member of the X-Men.

During the 1980s, Magik was a favoured character of X-Men scribe Chris Claremont. She was a prominent member of the New Mutants and appeared frequently as a supporting character in the pages of Uncanny X-Men. While she was later killed off by future writers, Magik made her triumphant return in New X-Men and has since gone on to be a major player in many key X-Men storylines. Most recently, she was possessed by the Phoenix Force and is now a member of Cyclops' band of X-Men.

09. X-23 (Laura Kinney)

First Appearance: NYX #3 (2004)

Mutant Powers: Accelerated healing factor, superhuman senses, retractible claws in hands and feet

Essential Storylines: X-23: Innocence Lost, X-23: Target X, X-Force: Not Forgotten, X-23: The Killing Dream, Avengers Arena

Born out of a laboratory, Laura Kinney was cloned from Wolverine's DNA and was trained to be the world's most vicious assassin. She managed to escape this life and has since tried to repent for her past sins by working alongside her genetic father as a member of the X-Men.

Much like DC Comics' Harley Quinn, X-23 originated on television as a character introduced in X-Men: Evolution. The concept of a female Wolverine clone proved so popular that she was eventually brought over into the mainstream comic universe. She even starred in two self-titled mini-series and a short-lived ongoing title written by Marjorie Liu in addition to her acclaimed appearances in X-Force. If that weren't enough, she's made numerous appearances in video games and cartoons. Currently, she's part of the All-New X-Men title written by Brian Michael Bendis.

08. Jubilee (Jubilation Lee)

First Appearance: Uncanny X-Men #244 (1989)

Mutant Powers: Formerly able to generate multi-coloured energy plasmodia

Essential Storylines: Uncanny X-Men #224, Generation X, X-Men: Curse of the Mutants, Wolverine & Jubilee, X-Men: Primer

Brash and full of sass, Jubilation Lee was an orphan living in the Hollywood Mall when she first encountered the X-Men. She followed them back to their base and rightfully earned a place on the team after rescuing Wolverine from the clutches of the Reavers. Despite leaving the team to train with other mutants her age, Jubilee returned to the X-Men once more and has become a key member of their all-female task force.

Jubilee rose to prominence due to her appearance in the seminal X-Men animated series from the early-'90s. As the resident plucky teen sidekick, her antics and humorous attitude made her a favourite among viewers. While she's been largely ignored in subsequent adaptations and spent years in publication limbo, Jubilee's status as a fan-favourite has garnered her a coveted spot among the most iconic Marvel heroes.

07. Dazzler (Alison Blaire)

First Appearance: Uncanny X-Men #130 (1980)

Mutant Powers: Converts sound into light; able to generate lasers, hard light weapons, and holograms

Essential Storylines: Uncanny X-Men #217, Uncanny X-Men #228, Uncanny X-Men #260, Dazzler, X-Treme X-Men

For years, mutant singer Alison Blaire moonlit as a part-time superhero. She single-handedly bested the likes of the Enchantress, Doctor Doom, and Galactus between gigs. Life was good for the songstress until she came out as a mutant. The world turned against her and this led towards her alliance with the X-Men. As Dazzler, Alison fought against injustice as a member of the X-Men and eventually led a rebellion against the dictator known as Mojo. After a brief stint with the UK-based superhero team Excalibur, she returned to the X-Men and even became a mutant liaison for S.H.I.E.L.D., adding super spy to her resume.

With a long-running solo title under her belt, Dazzler came into the X-Men as a force to be reckoned with. She had a huge presence in Uncanny X-Men during the late-'80s, but was subsequently relegated to the D-list. Many creators have attempted to revive the character and yet she still can't quite catch a break. Dazzler deserves to be one of the top three X-Women and continues to be one of the most underrated Marvel characters out there, she obviously just needs the right push.

06. White Queen (Emma Frost)

First Appearance: Uncanny X-Men #129 (1980)

Mutant Powers: Telepathy, can transform her skin into diamond

Essential Storylines: The Dark Phoenix Saga, Uncanny X-Men #151-152, Generation X, E is for Extinction, Torn

Emma Grace Frost comes from an aristocratic Boston family. By the time she reached adulthood, she was an expert in the art of deception and manipulation. Paired with her mutant ability of telepathy, these skills enabled her to become the White Queen of the Hellfire Club. As the White Queen, Emma clashed with the X-Men several times before she switched sides. Since then, Emma has become a prominent member of the X-Men and is widely regarded as one of the most powerful telepaths in the world.

Despite being known as a villain for well over a decade, Emma's jump to heroism resurrected her career. For pulling a Rogue, Emma was rewarded by being given the coveted role of co-leader of the X-Men and headmistress of the Xavier School for Higher Learning. Unlike Rogue, Emma's continued ambiguous morals and catty attitude has made such a leap much more plausible, since her personality has been consistent. She's been a key figure in nearly every major X-Men storyline since the early-2000s and her importance in Uncanny X-Men shows that she has no intention of giving up her A-list status.

05. Rogue (Anna Marie)

First Appearance: Avengers Annual #10 (1981)

Mutant Powers: Absorbs abilities and memories through skin contact

Essential Storylines: Uncanny X-Men #171, Uncanny X-Men #269, Mutant Genesis, Supernovas, X-Men: Legacy

When she was still a child, swamp rat Anna Marie was adopted by the mutant terrorist Mystique and her lover Destiny. Adopting the codename Rogue, Anna followed in her mother's footsteps and became one of the most wanted criminals in America. She was responsible for the attempted murder of Ms. Marvel and tormented mutant songstress Dazzler relentlessly. Nevertheless, Rogue's criminal career came to an abrupt end when she sought out Professor Xavier's aid to help her gain control of her powers. This fateful decision led towards Rogue becoming of the most influential members of the X-Men and she's faithfully served the mutant team for well over three decades.

As an early example of the bad girl turned good trend, Rogue's evolution from villain to hero made her a fan-favourite in the late-'80s. However, it would be her starring role in the '90s X-Men cartoon that cemented her popularity amongst audiences. Despite what little she offers to the mutant cause and her tendency to define herself through her relationships, there's no denying that Rogue is insanely popular.

04. Psylocke (Elizabeth Braddock)

First Appearance: Captain Britain #8 (1976)

Mutant Abilities: Telepathy, telekinesis

Essential Storylines: Acts of Vengeance, The Sisterhood, Psylocke, Uncanny X-Force, Let It Bleed

As the only daughter of one of the wealthiest families in England, Elizabeth Braddock grew up dreaming of doing something incredible with her life. While she briefly worked as a supermodel, it was her work as a spy and superhero that brought purpose to her life. She used her mutant psychic abilities to become the X-Man known as Psylocke and has proven to be one of their most loyal members.

Psylocke is a complex character with a slightly convoluted backstory, but that hasn't stopped her from becoming a cult icon. Known for her provocative ninja costume and posh attitude, she's proven popular amongst most comic book fanboys. She's also a gaming favourite, appearing in numerous video games from the early-'90s onward. Though not as well known as Jean Grey or Emma Frost, Psylocke has played an integral role in the X-Men's history and her relationships within the team have made for some great storytelling opportunities.

03. Shadowcat (Kitty Pryde)

First Appearance: Uncanny X-Men #129 (1980)

Mutant Abilities: Intangibility

Essential Storylines: Days of Future Past, Uncanny X-Men #143, Mekanix, Astonishing X-Men, Breaking Point

Kitty Pryde joined the X-Men when she was just 13-years-old, becoming their youngest member to date. This computer savvy mutant grew from an awkward tween to being one of the most respected heroes in the world. Even though her dedication has wavered over the years, Kitty has continually put the needs of others before herself in the name of equality.

Introduced during the seminal Dark Phoenix Saga, Kitty proved to be an extremely likeable teenager whose awkwardness made her all the more relatable. She became a mainstay during the 1980s, with stories like God Loves, Man Kills and Days of Future Past featuring her as a key player. She even eventually went on to become a mentor to the younger generation of mutants. Thanks to the film adaptations and her appearances in cartoons, Kitty Pryde is now one of the most recognizable X-Women out there.

02. Phoenix (Jean Grey)

First Appearance: X-Men #1 (1963)

Mutant Abilities: Telekinesis, telepathy

Essential Storylines: The Dark Phoenix Saga, Inferno, X-Men #30, New X-Men, Phoenix: End Song

As one of Professor Xavier's first students, Jean Grey was a founding member of the X-Men and grew up fighting the likes of Magneto, the Sentinels, and the Juggernaut. Her growth as a telepath and telekinetic has made her one of the most powerful mutants in the world, while her connection to the enigmatic Phoenix Force makes her one of the most dangerous.

Jean Grey is truly the First Lady of the X-Men. Her sass and infamous temper have made her one of the most thrilling characters to read, while her relationship and subsequent marriage to Scott Summers continue to be one of the most iconic love stories in the world of comic books. If that weren't enough, the classic Dark Phoenix Saga hinges entirely on Jean's character and it has gone on to be one of the most influential storylines for the X-Men. Even with the complications of her constant rebirths and the presence of a "teen Jean" running amok in the present continuity, nostalgia remains high for this redheaded psychic.

01. Storm (Ororo Munroe)

First Appearance: Giant-Size X-Men #1 (1975)

Mutant Abilities: Control over the weather

Essential Storylines: Uncanny X-Men #169-170, Lifedeath, Uncanny X-Men #265-266, X-Men: Storm, Worlds Apart, Storm

When she was barely old enough to speak, Ororo Monroe was orphaned by an explosion that killed her parents in their Cairo home. For years, she would live on the streets and stole to survive. It wasn't until her mutant ability to control the weather surfaced that her life took a change for the better. Initially worshipped as a goddess in a small Kenyan village, Ororo was recruited by Professor Xavier to become a member of the X-Men. Taking on the codename Storm, she has since gone on to become a leader, a mentor, a queen, and the world's fiercest superhero.

There is no denying that Storm is the single most influential and culturally significant X-Man, male or female, out there. She was one of the very first African-American heroines in comics and she was the very first woman to ever lead a team of superheroes, not only that but she was also the first African-American to do so. She's appeared in nearly every film and television adaptation of the X-Men, as well as making appearances in video games and stage shows. While most contemporary readers would cite Rogue or X-23 as their favourite X-Woman, Storm's growth as a character goes down as one of the most well-written evolutions in the history of comic books. Chris Claremont's legendary run on Uncanny X-Men posited Storm as the matriarch and centre piece of the book, having her wrestle with complex notions of morality and identity all while leading the X-Men through some of the most tragic moments in mutant history. Truth be told, his Uncanny X-Men really was more like Storm and her Uncanny Friends. To recognize her significance, Marvel has also finally given Storm her very own ongoing series (about damn time!) written by Greg Pak. Here's hoping it survives the dreaded Marvel heroine curse!

Review: Uncanny X-Men Volume 2 - Broken

With Magik's powers on the fritz, the X-Men are seemingly helpless when they're pulled into Limbo and must face off against the demon Dormammu. Meanwhile, S.H.I.E.L.D. has recruited Dazzler to be their mutant liaison and her first assignment isn't what she thought it would be.

Uncanny X-Men Volume 2: Broken collects issues #6-11 of Brian Michael Bendis' Uncanny X-Men.

The focus on Magik and Limbo within the first couple of issues in this collection was a stroke of genius. Dormammu makes for a surprisingly good villain for the mutant sorceress and the change of setting shakes things up a bit. Unfortunately, the rest of the issues are inconsistent in pacing and lack the high-stakes tension the earlier issues had. While the fight with the powerful Blockbuster Sentinel towards the end is quite suspenseful, it felt a little predictable. Bendis also struggles with the development of the characters outside of Cyclops' inner circle. Emma, Magik, Magneto, and Cyclops are great, but the other characters all fade into the background.

As a long-time Dazzler fan, I couldn't have been more thrilled to have seen the character back in action. She made some notable appearances during Matt Fraction's run on Uncanny X-Men and appeared in the dimension hopping title X-Treme X-Men, but neither helped to improve her standing on the D-list. Since Brian Michael Bendis has a history of bringing attention to obscure characters (re: Luke Cage, Spider-Woman), having him write the character into this title as a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent was nothing short of brilliant. She even got a stylish new outfit (one of her best, in my opinion). This could have ushered in a new era for the character and would have helped to introduce her to a wider audience as a veritable super spy. Unfortunately, it was all a fake out. At the end of her first assignment, she is poisoned and replaced by Mystique. It's an eye roll worthy moment that is especially frustrating since Bendis is recycling his character arc for Spider-Woman from New Avengers and Secret Invasion. In it, Jessica Drew had become a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent, but was secretly a shapeshifting Skrull. It's a stale and predictable move that does the character no favours. If that weren't enough, he has Cyclops treat Dazzler like a traitor for teaming up with S.H.I.E.L.D. before hearing her side of things. Cyclops would do well to remember that Dazzler was the very first mutant to willingly come out as a mutant and is a pioneer in mutant rights. While he was off getting married, having a kid, and then cheating on his (first) wife with Jean Grey, Dazzler was public enemy number one and had to go underground in order to survive the scrutiny she was under. Cyclops, have a few seats.

After the first couple of arcs of Uncanny X-Men, it's quite clear that the narrative is losing steam. While Cyclops' team of X-Men continue to delight with their strong personalities and electric chemistry, the new mutants he's introduced are all fairly generic. Aside from Tempus, this new batch of mutants are altogether forgettable. Bendis also squandered the potential he had with Dazzler, instead using Mystique once more after having depicted her as a Big Bad in All-New X-Men. At its core, Broken is a series of plot threads that have yet to be tied. The title's characters are in desperate need of development and the source behind the overarching conflict is still being hinted at. While this collection is quite entertaining, it doesn't reveal nearly enough and doesn't live up to its full potential.

Rating: B-

Review: Astonishing X-Men, Weaponized

As the X-Men celebrate Northstar's nuptials to Kyle Jinadu, they make the startling discovery that their bodies have been infected with dangerous nanobombs courtesy of Hatchitech. The technology company's CEO Susan Hatchi offers the X-Men two choices, they can either do her bidding or be blown to smithereens. Decisions, decisions.

Astonishing X-Men: Weaponized collects issues #52-56 of Astonishing X-Men written by Marjorie Liu, as well as its first annual.

Picking up right after the events of the preceding trade paperback, Weaponized continues the arc of Susan Hatchi's manipulations of the X-Men. She's apparently set her sights on acquiring the island nation of Madripoor and is keen on using the X-Men to help her do it. It's a great story actually, so much so that Brian Michael Bendis decided to plagiarize parts of it in All-New X-Men. Susan Hatchi proves to be a devastatingly powerful enemy for the team and her machinations place them in intense life-or-death situations. A standout moment features the X-Men buried under rubble, with only Cecilia Reyes' forcefield protecting them from the crushing death that awaits them.

Marjorie Liu's keen understanding of her characters proves to be a major selling point for this collection. Their personalities, motivations, and powers are well defined, making them all the more accessible to the readers. Warbird continues to be a source of humour and is easily one of the best characters present. Even still, Karma and Northstar remain at the forefront of Liu's narrative. She's still very much interested in exploring Northstar's relationship with Kyle and handles the danger of mutant-human romance quite well. With Karma, she makes the character extremely relatable and makes some rather interesting revelations about her past. The downside to this is that Liu references past events that many readers may be unaware of.

While Liu's characters may be accessible, the narrative isn't always. Beyond Karma's past, Liu leaves the reader without context for many situations. The glaring issue here being Madripoor. While the nation should be well-known to long-time X-Men fans, newer readers will likely find its place in the story quite puzzling. The other issue with Weaponized is its art. Once again, Mike Perkins provides sloppy work that does a disservice to Liu's plot. David Baldeon, who takes care of the art for Astonishing X-Men Annual #1, would have been a much better choice. Finally, there is a slight misstep on Marvel's part in terms of how they collected Liu's run on Astonishing X-Men. They split up the Susan Hatchi arc into two volumes (Northstar and Weaponized) when they should have collected the entire arc in one larger trade paperback.

If you can get past the messy art, Marjorie Liu's Astonishing X-Men will leave you impressed. The attention she gives to D-list characters is admirable and she creates a story for them that develops them quite well. Astonishing X-Men: Weaponized is a character-driven collection that is unrelenting in its intensity and action. If you love underdogs, then this is the right trade paperback for you.

Rating: A-

Review: Uncanny X-Men Volume 1 - Revolution

In the wake of the war between the Avengers and the X-Men, people all over the world have begun manifesting mutant abilities. Cyclops and his ragtag band of X-Men have made it their mission to seek out these new mutants and train them to use their newfound powers. There's just one problem -- Cyclops is a wanted man and S.H.I.E.L.D. will stop at nothing to apprehend him.

Uncanny X-Men Volume 1: Revolution collects the first five issues of Brian Michael Bendis' take on the Uncanny X-Men.

As far as relaunches go, Brian Michael Bendis' Uncanny X-Men is fairly inaccessible. If you haven't read Avengers vs. X-Men or Bendis' All-New X-Men, odds are you'll feel a little lost. Seeing as the entire premise of the book hinges upon these two prior narratives, it's difficult to fully comprehend what's going on without those reference points. The reader will also require a decent working knowledge of the primary characters as well, particularly with Magik and Emma Frost. Thankfully, Bendis makes up for these shortcomings with some excellent characterization. The aforementioned Magik and Emma Frost are brimming with personality, as is the new mutant Tempus. Similarly, Cyclops is remarkably likeable and makes the reader root for his initiative. Beyond that, the broken powers of the X-Men add a tinge of unpredictability to the title. Not only will Cyclops and his group have to train the new generation of mutants how to use their powers, but they'll have to re-learn how to use their own as well.

One of the most memorable moments in Revolution is when the Avengers attempt to arrest the X-Men. As the men engage in what amounts to a verbal pissing contest, we get to see Captain Marvel attempt to diffuse the situation. The scene is quite tense and re-enforces the "the Avengers are jerks" trend that started in Avengers vs. X-Men. Cyclops' group is a response team and they act only when provoked, so it's rather interesting to see the Avengers play the role of the school yard bully who instigates the conflict. Without spoiling anything, the Avengers are humiliated and Cyclops becomes even more of a symbol for freedom. To be honest, it's incredibly satisfying.

Comic legend Chris Bachalo provides the art for the first four issues in this collection. He was also responsible for the redesigns of each primary character. The interior art is actually quite stunning and his composition of each panel is very dynamic. His characters are also extremely expressive. Truth be told, it's some of his best work to date. His designs, however, are subpar. The uniforms he comes up with for the female characters are cringe-worthy due to their lack of functionality and style. It's rather puzzling as to why Emma Frost would be wearing hideous '90s shoulder pads, especially given her love of designer clothing. On top of that, it seems as if he's recycling the designs he came up with for Age of Apocalypse. While it's great to have a certain aesthetic, it's not worth it to rehash looks we've seen before on other characters.

If you're going into Uncanny X-Men expecting something new and revolutionary, you'll be sorely disappointed. The X-Men being feared, hated, and persecuted is nothing new. They've fought for equality for several decades and they've even earned favour from the media in the comics before (see: "Fall of the Mutants"). The reason why you should pick up this book is for its characters. Bendis does a great job of developing his primary characters and they seem to be forming their own little oddball family. Overall, Revolution is a great read for anyone looking for a character-driven story with lots of action.

Rating: B

Review: Astonishing X-Men, Northstar

Having moved from Toronto to New York City, Northstar is getting settled into his new life with his boyfriend Kyle. Unfortunately, he barely has time to unpack before he's called off for a mission with the X-Men. Someone is controlling the minds of villains and heroes alike, and it's up to Northstar to stop them.

Astonishing X-Men: Northstar collects Astonishing X-Men #48-51, written by Marjorie Liu, as well as material from Nation X #2 and Alpha Flight.

There is a lot to love about this collection. From the dialogue to the action, Liu delivers an engaging story from the very beginning. Her characters are three-dimensional and feel incredibly realistic, which is a feat rarely accomplished in mainstream comics. The chemistry between each X-Man is electric and the familial vibe is at the forefront of all their interactions. Iceman's trademark wit and Warbird's enthusiasm for combat serve as the comic relief, while Northstar's relationship woes add drama to the mix. Truthfully, enough cannot be said about Liu's band of X-Men. It's an eclectic mix of big names and D-listers, but it works to her advantage. I'm personally impressed by the focus she places on Karma and Northstar, two characters who are tragically in need of attention from writers. She also gets extra brownie points for including '90s X-Man Cecilia Reyes, especially since Liu gets her personality spot-on.

If Marvel's PR team were to tell us what the selling point for Astonishing X-Men: Northstar is, they'd probably say it's the much publicized "gay wedding" which occurs in the final issue in this collection. The pressure must have been immense for Liu, particularly since many have called the wedding a publicity stunt. Nevertheless, she takes on the task of writing such a controversial subject with tact and respect. It's a very touching moment and the issue itself is understandably quite important. My only criticism would be that we didn't get to see enough of it. Honestly, the issue should have been double-sized and packed full of mutant wedding goodness. After all, we didn't even get any moments between Northstar and his bestie Dazzler.

Astonishing X-Men: Northstar proves that Marjorie Liu is one of the most underrated X-Men scribes. Not only does she understand the characters she writes, but she also gives a voice to those who have been marginalized and ignored by other writers. It is a thoroughly enjoyable collection with punchy dialogue and thrilling action. The only issue I had was with the art. Mike Perkins' work is rather muddy and messy, which clashes with Liu's colourful cast. Dustin Weaver, who handles the cover art, would have been a much more suitable artist for the interiors. That said, you really can't go wrong with this trade paperback. In the largely joyless world of modern X-Men comics, Liu's Astonishing X-Men is a shining beacon of hope.

Rating: A

Top 10: Most Underrated Marvel Characters

After counting down the Top 5 Most Underrated DC Comics Characters, it seemed fitting to list Marvel's most underrated characters as well. Much like their rival, Marvel has many iconic heroines who have had the privilege of headlining books and appearing on the big screen. Even still, there are several amazing women who deserve more recognition.

Below is a list of the top 10 most underrated Marvel characters. With the right promotion, these superheroines can go from the D-list darlings to leading ladies.

10. Valkyrie

As the hero Valkyrie, the Asgardian Brunnhilde has saved the world many times over as a member of the Defenders and was eventually elected into the Avengers. She's a heroine of Amazonian proportions and has become a fan-favourite thanks to her stints in Secret Avengers and The Fearless Defenders.

Valkyrie has everything she needs to become a leading lady. Aside from the obvious "Lady Thor" look she has going, she's a relentless warrior whose escapades would make for a great solo title. Think: Asgardian Wonder Woman.

09. Silver Sable

Originally an ambiguous antagonist for Spider-Man, Silver Sable is an enterprising mercenary and businesswoman. This gun-toting badass headlined her own book in the 1990s for 35 issues, nearly qualifying her to be one of Marvel's longest-running female-led books. Since then, Silver Sable has been relegated to supporting appearances and was supposedly killed during Ends of the Earth.

Silver Sable has long been in the shadow of fellow platinum-haired femme fatale Black Cat. The two women have both appeared in cartoons and video games, but it is the Black Cat who receives recognition due to her romance with the Web Slinger. As such, a film role and a resurrection would go a long way in resuscitating Silver Sable's comic book career.

08. Songbird

Once known as the villain Screaming Mimi, Melissa Gold redeemed herself as a member of the Thunderbolts using the codename Songbird. Able to transform sound into solid objects, Songbird is one of the most versatile superheroines around.

In the alternate universe storyline Avengers Forever, Songbird is depicted as a member of the titular team. This potential has yet to be fully explored in the main universe and would be a fascinating avenue for the character to take.

07. Julia Carpenter

After an experiment granted her with superpowers, single mother Julia Carpenter became the costumed hero known as Spider-Woman. Following brief tenures on the West Coast branch of the Avengers and the Canadian super team Omega Flight, Julia gave up her life as a vigilante to become the new Madame Web.

As the second woman to use the moniker of Spider-Woman, Julia had big shoes to fill. She managed to carve out an identity for herself and even appeared in the Iron Man cartoon from the 1990s as a major supporting character. Even still, Marvel has struggled with what to do with her and have questionably kept her on the D-list. To make matters worse, her iconic costume has been passed down to someone else, making it quite clear that a return to superheroing isn't in the cards for Julia.

06. Karma

Xi'an Coy Manh, otherwise known as Karma, is a founding member of the New Mutants who possesses the ability of mind control. While she spends most of her time mentoring the new generation of mutants, Karma is one X-Man who shouldn't be taken lightly.

As a Vietnamese immigrant and out lesbian, Karma has been a continued symbol of Marvel's dedication to representing diversity amongst the X-Men titles. In recent years, the character made notable appearances in Uncanny X-Men, New Mutants, and Astonishing X-Men. Despite this, she continues to fly under the radar. Karma is a full-fledged X-Man, so it's high time that she be treated like one. 

05. Misty Knight

Born out of the blaxploitation era, Misty Knight was one of the very first African-American heroines Marvel had. Part Foxy Brown and part Bionic Woman, Misty is a former police officer whose bionic enhancements grant her superhuman strength.

Over the years, Misty has been relegated to the role of love interest and guest star. Even still, she's squeezed in a few headlining appearances in Heroes for Hire and The Fearless Defenders. With her trademark sass and take-no-prisoners attitude, Misty Knight has the potential to crossover from cult sensation to A-list heroine. Toss her in a title with Colleen Wing and Jessica Jones, and you've got Marvel's answer to Charlie's Angels.

04. Monet St. Croix

Originating as a member of teen super team Generation X, Monet St. Croix is an aristocrat with as many mutant powers as she has clothing. Known for her signature catty remarks, Monet adds a touch of humour to any team she's on along with the muscle to back it up.

As a major player in both Generation X and X-Factor, Monet established herself within the fringes of the Marvel Universe. This powerhouse deserves the chance to shine and is finally getting a taste of the A-list now that she is an official member of the X-Men. Appearances in adaptations and further involvement with the X-Men should erase her from the D-list. Let's make that happen, shall we?

03. Hellcat

Patsy Walker is a former teen star who turned to the life of a superhero after the dissolution of her marriage to her high school sweetheart Buzz Baxter. A thrill-seeker at heart, Patsy has been a member of the Avengers and the Defenders as the feline-themed vigilante Hellcat.

As a creation of Marvel's precursor Timely Comics, Patsy Walker made her debut in 1944 and is technically one of the company's first heroines. Her teen humour comic ran for an astounding three decades. Even with this legacy behind her, most fans are blissfully unaware of her existence. Hellcat is actually a remarkably well-rounded character and is one of Marvel's most relatable heroines. Perhaps another stint with the Avengers is just what she needs to be spared from obscurity.

02. Monica Rambeau

Monica Rambeau is a spunky young woman who became a superheroine after being bombarded with extra-dimensional energy. Initially using the codename Captain Marvel, Monica was a member of the Avengers and even became the leader of the team during the late 1980s.

Monica was truly the Avengers' answer to the X-Men's Storm. She's a confident leader and powerful hero who has a penchant for wearing black and white outfits. Nevertheless, she's come nowhere near Storm's level of recognizability. Even with her current role in Mighty Avengers, Monica has yet to break into the mainstream consciousness. Truthfully, I think the Marvel Cinematic Universe is in dire need of a character like Monica Rambeau. After all, the filmic counterpart of the Avengers is horribly white-washed.

01. Dazzler

Alison Blaire is a mutant singer who has put her powers of light generation to use as the supeheroine known as Dazzler. She's fierce, fabulous, and totally badass. She's been a solo hero, a key member of the X-Men, and even spent some time kicking bad guy butt in England as part of Excalibur. More recently, she's taken up the role of mutant liaison for S.H.I.E.L.D.

Dazzler is the queen of Marvel's D-list. Despite having one of Marvel's longest running female-led comics under her belt and a lengthy stint as part of the X-Men, she's remained in the shadow of more well-known mutants for the better part of three decades. Beyond her Omega Level powers, Dazzler is known for her strong moral compass and keen sense of justice. She famously came out as a mutant at the height of the anti-mutant hysteria and spent years fighting for change in the Mojoverse. On top of that, her celebrity status makes her one of the most relevant characters in Marvel's wheelhouse. In our celebrity obsessed culture, you'd think the House of Ideas would want to capitalize on this. Dazzler deserves a chance to shine. Let's retire Rogue from the big screen and cartoons for a little while, let Dazzler dearest take over for a while.