The X-Axis, 9 September 2002
Part 1 of 10: CHAMBER #2

Home | Reviews | Miniseries | Back | Next


 
 

Okay - it's Monday night, I've been away for the weekend, and I'm tired.  So we're going to skip over some of the less interesting books in favour of the ones that are actually worth writing about.

Chamber is actually one of the better X-books out this week, but for much the same reasons which I gave in last month's review.  Unlike most of the pointless Icons miniseries, this one has a genuine theme - affirmative action - and it's giving us a variety of characters with a reasonable spread of viewpoints on the subject.  It's a pleasant change to hit an Icons miniseries which has something to say, not to mention one which is trying to be more than one-sided.

Brian Vaughan is continuing to develop the whodunnit plot which drives the series, and he's now established an array of suspects without being too obviously formulaic about it.  The bullying Magnetic North faction are a little on the stereotypical side, but for the most part the story keeps its characters suitably rounded.

Jose Villarrubia's colouring seems a little more muted this month, putting the emphasis more on Lee Ferguson and Norm Rapmund's linework.  To be honest, I think issue #1 looked better, or at least more distinctive.  But the story is told well enough, so no complaints.

Orders for this series have been fairly dismal by X-books standards, which is a shame, since it's worth reading.  But then, that's what happens if you keep churning out miniseries that nobody really wants to read - they don't pay any attention to the good ones.

Rating: A-

back | continue


Copyright 2002 Paul O'Brien.  All characters and publications   This web site is a work of critical comment and review. All characters and publications referred to, and artwork reproduced, are ™ and © their respective owners.
 

CHAMBER #2
Marvel Comics
November 2002
$2.99 US / $4.75 CAN

"The Hollow Man, chapter two"
Writer: Brian K Vaughan
Penciller: Lee Ferguson
Inker: Norm Rapmund
Letterer: Dave Sharpe
Colourist: Jose Villarrubia
Editor: Mike Raicht
Cover art: Chris Bachalo

LINKS
Marvel Comics
Lee Ferguson
Affirmative action