This week also sees the final issue of X-Men: First Class.  However, that's "final" in name only, because the miniseries is followed by a one-shot next month, and then by an ongoing title in June.

Marvel have clearly judged the project a big success, to approve an ongoing title quite this quickly.  I rather suspect this is an example of a book which was always intended to pilot an ongoing title, in the same way as Loners and Omega Flight are.  But we've seen miniseries used for that purpose before - Madrox, for example - and I can't remember an ongoing title following quite so rapidly.

The direct market sales aren't spectacular in their own right, but reportedly the book has done rather well on the newsstands, where it serves as the equivalent of Marvel Adventures: X-Men.  It's a curious choice for that role, since it features an unfamiliar roster from many decades ago.  It bears little resemblance to the X-Men from movies or cartoons.  Actually, it bears precious little resemblance to the X-Men from the 1960s as well; it's still aiming at a younger audience, but the style has nothing to do with the work of Lee and Kirby, or even Roy Thomas. 

In the final issue, Parker brings in Gorilla Man as a guest star.  This ridiculously obscure character is best known these days for appearing in the recent Agents of Atlas miniseries, also written by Jeff Parker.  This could easily become self-indulgent, but Parker makes it work.  Professor X gets lost in the jungle and the X-Men enlist Gorilla Man as a guide to help him rescue them.  Hijinks ensue, and the guest star gets to help out in the finale.  It's a nicely paced story which manages to include the requisite amount of action even though, strictly speaking, there aren't any villains to fight.

Artist Roger Cruz seems to struggle a little with the gorilla, who doesn't always seem to be in quite the same style as the other characters.  But that aside, he's done a fine job with this series, with bright, straightforward art that tells the story, sells the character moments, and emphasises the basics.

Focussing on simple, direct, upbeat stories with clearly defined characters, First Class works very well as an introduction to Marvel for the newsstand audience.  I'm still a bit sceptical that the concept can support an ongoing title, but Jeff Parker's closing editorial does indicate that he'll be broadening his range slightly in the new series.  That's a wise move, but at the same time, hopefully he won't lose sight of the simple approach which made this series work.

I'm surprised to see the book become ongoing, but it's a pleasant surprise.

Rating: B+

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