Gambit & The X-Ternals #2 (Age of Apocalypse Part 16)

 

Age of Apocalypse  Part 16

Gambit & The X-Ternals  #2

 

Written by Fabian Nicieza

Art by Tony Daniel

Inks by Conrad, Milgrom, Christian

Colors by Marie Javins

Lettered by Chris Eliopoulos

Open to:  

Gambit and the X-ternals find themselves on a different planet from the end of the last issue. Moments ago they where on Earth in one of Apocalypse’s citadels. Now they are on a foreign landscape face to face with several different aliens.  The Aliens are surprised by the X-ternals sudden appearance just as much as the X-ternals are.  The leader of these Aliens demand that the interlopers surrender to him and his Imperial Guard.

 

Fans of the now Classic Claremont X-men will recognize this group as the Elite group of Soldiers for the Shi’ar Empire. A galaxy expanding empire lead by a race of birdlike biped aliens.

 

After some quick exposition by our heroes as to why they are in their current predicament. We are given some additional information the Guido a.k.a. Strong Guy has been secretly in love with Lila Cheney.  Lila being the individual that brought them here when her mutant power kicked in for the first time (last issue).  

 

Our heroes then run away from the Imperial Guard, per Gambit’s orders.  Of course the group of soldiers take chase to capture these invaders.  Sunspot is attacked by a guard member that uses solar energy.  Bad thing for the guard member; Sunspot absorbs solar energy and redirects it back at his assailant.  Thereby taking out one of the attacking members.

Just then Gladiator attacks Guido by slamming a giant boulder down on him. thus crushing the mutant.  What Gladiator doesn’t know is that Guido takes in kinetic energy and comes out strong than before.  He uses his strength to punch Gladiator into next Wednesday.  thus causing the guard to take pause and our heroes manage to flee into a nearby forest.

 

Cut To Interior forest:

The X-ternals make their way through the forest hacking down vines and overgrowth to clear a path.  As they proceed, they are attacked by the very forest plants that stand in their way. Vines begin to wrap them up and pull them higher in the air.  The positive note is that they are now well hidden from the Imperial guard members that had followed them.

The guard member sees no trace of them and heads back to talk to Gladiator.

Cut To the Imperial Guard:

Enraged by the report that he lost his quarry, Gladiator turns his attention to the last person in the troop of unknown mutants; Rictor.  Rictor an officer of Apocalypse surrendered to the Imperial Guard. Gladiator learns that Rictor has the ability to locate the escaped mutants.  Gladiator ponders this for a few minutes.

 

Meanwhile back in the forest:

The X-ternals are rescued by some Local Shi’ar citizens.  The Shi’ar tell the X-ternals that the plant life is sentient and that by cutting the vines they have angered the plants.

 

Cut To:

Rictor and the Imperial Guard are discussing how he can track the other group of Mutants.  Rather simple when one places a tracker on one the X-ternals and uses his tracking device to follow them. Just then the entire Universe blinks out of existence. Which seriously affects the Imperial Guard telepath, Oracle.  Gladiator thinks it’s a sign that the intruders to this planet will bring about the destruction of the universe. After a quick debate with Rictor, using his fists. They come to an agreement to hunt down the X-ternals.

Back at a camp with the X-ternals:

We are introduced to the X-ternals rescuer; a former Shi’ar soldier named Jonath.  He gives a brief accounting of the Shi’ar empire, the history of the Emperor and his fascination with the M’krann crystal.  Jonath also explains that the Crystal is the reason that the universe blinks out and in of existence like a faulty Christmas light and as an additional side effect the reason that the planet they are on is beginning to crystallize.

 

This information causes the X-ternals to argue over being dragged across the galaxy for some heist.  Just before they can settle their differences the Imperial Guard attack with Rictor and Gladiator leading the charge.  They fight and during the conflict to add drama the planet begins to crystalize more and more.

 

Just as it looks as though the X-ternals are about to become fodder for the crystals they are “beamed” from the planet surface.

 

They materialize on a new ship facing four aliens calling themselves the Starjammers.  With a quick introduction they tell the X-ternals that they were sent to find them by some prophecy and help them steal the M’krann crystal.  

 

Next issue “Inside the M’krann crystal.”

 

THOUGHTS ON THE STORY:

Fabian Nicieza tells a good tale.  By itself this issue is a typical setup issue for whatever the dramatic turn will be in the upcoming issues.  The story did seem fast paced however, a bit disjointed when it flips back and forth between the two main groups of characters. Everything that happens in this story is to move the characters motivation. The other thing that i find negative about this story is that it was only mentioned that two people survived the planets crystallization. Why didn’t they show it?

ART:    

The art is  really good in this issue, this is some of Tony Daniels earliest work.  He is working on his style and you can see a lot of his influences shining through. Some Jim lee, Erik Larsen and of course Todd Mcfarlane style.  The detail is there with the characters, although the background look rather generic.   

Score  7.5 out of 10