Astonishing X-Men Omnibus (2009) - Plot & Excerpts
Really not my favorite adaptation of X-Men, though I had heard great things about the Buffy graphic novels. This adaptation just seemed really hoge-poge, which is ironic cause the Marvel universe is so hoge poge to begin with that anyone can really mold it to a particular vision they have. Maybe it was just the storytelling style I wasn't into. Whedon definitely has a crazy antics, hole-filled storytelling that works for things like Firefly and Buffy/Angel for sure, but graphic novels (I feel at least) are a genre that has to be sussed out even if as a reader you don't get all the details in the first issue (cause why would you?!). Technically, I read the four trade paperbacks that compromise this series, not this actual hardcover.I was excited when I learned that Joss Whedon was writing for X-Men and after his great direction with The Avengers and having enjoyed his Runaway series, I decided it was high-time for me to actually read the series.The great thing that Joss Whedon does is he humanizes his characters so well. You know their feelings, their wants, their desires and he makes them realistic. Heck, he managed to make Cyclops not much of a dick. The plot is extremely suspenseful although it felt kind of rushed in places. The premise of the first book in particular didn't feel like it was given the space that it should have; I expected it not to tie up so neatly in one book. I would have preferred that they have concentrated on one of the stories out of the three plot arcs.My only problem with the series is that it fits too neatly into the X-Men continuity. Let me explain. Most of my exposure to X-Men is through the cartoon series, the movies, and some exposure here and there via Wikipedia (Did you know that Jubilee is now a de-powered ninja vampire? I am not making this up.) There's probably a decade worth of backstory that I don't know, which left me confused at times, since the story relies on events from throughout X-Men's run. A lot of terms and events that were thrown around I wasn't familiar with like Sh'iar, Legacy Virus, and Hellfire Club. He does a decent job of explaining some things as if talking to a novice, but someone coming in with no knowledge of the X-Men is going to be confused.So, while it was completely enjoyable - I blasted through the series in 2-3 hours - I felt like an outsider to the club. Some of the twinges of nostalgia and recognition weren't there for me that I feel a real fan would feel. Additionally, it was like catching the middle movie of a series; I didn't feel much finality at the end, not much satisfaction (although, wow, what an end). All in all, I definitely enjoyed it, but I felt like I was missing something to make the experience whole.P.S. I think I would have enjoyed this work much more if it was completely stand-alone like Neil Gaiman's 1602.
What do You think about Astonishing X-Men Omnibus (2009)?
Okay, it's Joss Whedon and the X-Men, the chances of me not liking this were pretty slim.
—kdm70506
Loved the characters. Disliked Breakworld.
—Kaykay
