Writer: Steve Foxe
Art: Salva Espin, Israel Silva, David Baldeòn, and VC’s Joe Sabino
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Price:$3.99
Release Date: April 13th, 2022
Everyone’s beloved 90s manifestations of the X-MEN have returned as the ANIMATED SERIES crew is taking a big step towards their own country of Krakoa. Ushered in by none other than Professor X and Magneto, this incarnation of the 90s X-MEN are undertaking the Krakoan Age… but thirty years earlier! Let’s dive into X-MEN ‘92: HOUSE OF XCII #1 to see if this group fairs any better.
If you’re interested in this comic, series, related trades, or any of the others mentioned, then simply click on the title/link to snag a copy through Amazon as you read the X-Men ’92: House of XCII #1 Review.
THE DISPATCH
Think of this series as a blend of X-MEN: THE ANIMATED SERIES meets the beginning of the HOUSE OF X/ DAWN OF X era. Steve Foxe strategically blends the two ideas together with minor little twists and turns that fit both contexts so well. Foxe makes X-MEN ‘92: HOUSE OF XCII #1 feel identical to the Hickman era but with some character replacements in a few key areas that simply jive better with the ANIMATED SERIES.
Additionally, Foxe makes the Krakoan era easier to understand and digest compared to what Hickman orchestrated. It’s almost as if the premise was dumbed down making X-MEN ‘92: HOUSE OF XCII #1 the perfect jumping-on point for a younger audience. Readers won’t get all the exact details as to how the ANIMATED SERIES formed the alliance with all the mutants, nor do we get how everything was formed together.
However, readers do discover a pretty unique wrinkle as X-MEN ‘92: HOUSE OF XCII #1 comes to a close that happens to elevate one mutant to some higher standings while also causing some confusion to the ANIMATED SERIES fans that just doesn’t sit well. This little wrinkle involves a fan favorite from the ANIMATED SERIES and frankly doesn’t make a ton of sense. However, I can’t help but be intrigued while simultaneously being excited to see how Foxe navigates the story through the lenses of this character.
Yet, even with some of the clever twists that are causing some minor doubts in this run, X-MEN: THE ANIMATED SERIES fans will be thoroughly pleased with the dialogue and conversational tone Foxe brings to the issue. Sure, X-MEN ‘92: HOUSE OF XCII #1 looks the part well (which I’ll get to in a minute). However, the voice of the characters ring through so well. As I read the story, I felt as if I could hear their voices from the ANIMATED SERIES in my mind as the story unfolded. It’s evident that Foxe put forth a ton of time and research into the show in order to make X-MEN ‘92: HOUSE OF XCII #1 feel so similar to the ANIMATED SERIES.
ART
Readers, it wasn’t just Foxe’s character voices and tone that made this series feel like the original. Salva Espin and Israel Silva balanced out the dialogue with an artistic style that should be commended. Espin and Silva make X-MEN ‘92: HOUSE OF XCII #1 incredibly strong and inviting to fans of the ANIMATED SERIES. Their style and tone alone fit masterfully with the series but with an updated feel. Plus, the colors hit that vibrant 90s tone providing that extreme, and almost radical, approach to the era. Together with Foxe’s script and story, this creative team molds quite the tale together masterfully juggling the perfect balance of ANIMATED SERIES tones with HOUSE OF X/ DAWN OF X expressions.
FINAL THOUGHTS
To any X-MEN fan from the 90s that’s continued their trek since then, you have no choice but to pick up X-MEN ‘92: HOUSE OF XCII #1. Your 30-year adventure is linked masterfully to the present Krakoan era while simultaneously updating key components to both storylines. Readers will discover many similarities as well as many differences that don’t seem to make a ton of sense right now. However, seeing the time and preparation that Foxe, Espin, and Silva put into the style, tone, and voice of the characters, I think fans have no choice but to give this run a fair shake to see if they can make all the wrinkles jive together with time.
Overall, X-MEN ‘92: HOUSE OF XCII #1 is an incredibly strong first issue with an overwhelming plethora of potential that is sure to excite X-MEN fans in their late 30’s or more who grew up on the cartoon and continued their journey to the present HOUSE OF X/ DAWN OF X era. Foxe quickly finds a way to summarize where everyone is at while showcasing his art team in the process by juxtaposing the two eras into easily discernible bites. I strongly recommend all X-MEN fans pick up X-MEN ‘92: HOUSE OF XCII #1 and add this series to their pull list. You won’t be disappointed. Let me know what you think, have a great week, and God Bless!