Gitchy Feelin’

First Look for January 21, 2018

Big bads, gitchy feelings, and choosing sides, today’s first look has all kinds of cool stuff. In Bone #4 we learn who’s behind the rat creature’s search for Phoney Bone and this guy looks ominous. We also see that the only thing that motivates Phoney is the possibility of making money – he doesn’t even seem to care about getting himself hurt, just that he makes money with as little effort as possible. On the flip side is Wolverine and the X-Men #9 where loyalties are tested as everyone prepares for the return of the Phoenix.

Captain America makes an appearance at the school and looks for recruits for his team. It always seems like Steve is trying to pressure everyone into believing his side is right and everyone else is wrong – why can’t he see that perhaps there are other alternatives to his own black and white view of the world? In any case, both stories are really well done and I’m enjoying how they’re both moving things along towards the confrontations that will be coming.

Bone #4

Out From Boneville, Kingdok by Jeff Smith. Published by Cartoon Books, 1991.

This issue introduces us to the big bad guys of the tale. While we’ve seen a couple of bumbling rat creatures in the previous issues, this entry shows us Kingdok and the Hooded One. Kingdok is a larger rat creature that seems to be in charge of the entire rat nation, controlling armies and thousands of the creatures. The Hooded One is a mysterious being who seems to be running the whole show. He’s the driving force behind the desire to capture Phoney Bone but we still aren’t sure why he wants him.

We also learn more about Phoney who starts the issue upset that he’s being asked to do work around the farm. He’s the wealthiest Bone in Boneville after all and he should not be made to perform menial tasks. When we learn that he’s been stealing things as well, Fone confronts him and we hear about some of the schemes Phoney put together that got him kicked outta Boneville. Frustrated, he wants to leave the farm but when Fone points out that the Spring Festival will be the best place to find Smiley AND that there’ll be gambling there, Phoney sees dollar signs. As Fone heads off to clean up with Thorn, Phoney takes off and heads to Barrelville on his own.

Of course Phoney gets lost and has to ask the possum children for directions but even worse, he almost runs into the lair of the rat creatures that have been looking for him. We find out these guys are just the pawns as we meet the rat in charge, Kingdok, and his master, the Hooded One. He sends out two rat armies – one to search the forest for Phoney and the other to attack Gran’ma Ben’s farm. As we finish the issue, we see Thorn having a nightmare of a rat invasion when she was a child only to be awakened by Fone to see the rats really attacking the farm. Next issue looks like it’s gonna have some big battles.

You can find first looks at other issues in this title linked in my January Reading List.
I rate this issue a B+.

Wolverine & The X-Men #9

Day of the Phoenix, Dark Night of the Soul by Jason Aaron and Chris Bachalo. Published by Marvel Comics, 2012.

Captain America shows up at the Jean Grey School to enlist the aid of Wolverine and Beast in his plans for dealing with the Phoenix. While he’s there, rumors start to fly as to the reason Steve is there, among both students and teachers. The kids clearly know something big is coming though they might not know the specifics and a couple of the more psychic mutants actually wind up in the nurse’s office after collapsing.

Wolverine explains that Scott has become pretty fanatical about Hope being the messiah and Cyclops won’t let Rogers take her (or put her into protective custody) without a fight. He then calls a staff meeting to let the instructors know what’s going on and he encourages everyone to take care of the school and the kids while he and Beast are gone. As we see Logan and Henry head off in different directions, we see Gladiator of the Shi’ar heading to Earth to rescue his son who’s been attending the school for mutants.

Once again, Chris Bachalo’s art is great for this series. It’s whimsical where needed and exaggerated or sparse in other areas. Truly unique and I’ve really come to like it tied together with Aaron’s story. While this issue took a step away from the Sabretooth storyline of the previous issue, it continues to work well and tell a story that feel like the first 8 issues while tying into the Avengers Vs. X-Men arc. Definitely a fun read.

You can find first looks at other issues in the Avengers Vs. X-Men event linked in my January Reading List.

I rate this issue a B+.