X-Statix concludes the two-part "Cure" storyline, which seems to have been partly intended as padding before next month's marvel Knights relaunch.

Last month, Vivisector gave up his mutant powers in order to pursue a normal life.  But evil scientist Dr Alex Finlay stole those powers for himself in order to become Vivisector.  Except it didn't work out for either of them - Vivisector found that nobody liked him any more, and this issue Finlay discovers that the powers don't work.  He has to learn to be angry about the same things Vivisector was angry about, which leads to a gloriously contrived resolution where the new Vivisector confronts Miles' dad on his behalf, and Vivisector discovers that he can now use his powers through positive thoughts instead.

It's one of those X-Statix stories that goes out of its way to be overly convenient and lay the mechanics on the table while still trying to make Miles' story work.  Postmodern angst, in other words.  It's not as successful as some earlier stories along similar lines, because Miles' angst point is basically that daddy didn't love him, and we already knew that.  The story lacks the odd quality of earlier issues which simultaneously shone light on characters' inner workings while appearing utterly artificial at the same time.

That said, it's full of great jokes, especially Finlay's increasingly desperate attempts to make himself angry.  Plenty to enjoy, but not quite up to the off-kilter heights of some earlier issues.

Rather jarringly, the issue comes with fill-in art from Nick Dragotta.  Dragotta's a good artist, but his style is much looser and rougher than Mike Allred's, and doesn't carry the same degree of faux-innocence.  His werewolf is a bit dodgy as well, to be honest.  Then again, he does a great version of Miles.  It's just all perhaps a little too shadowy for X-Statix, whose stories work best in ironic primary colours.

Not wholly successful, but nonetheless entertaining up to a point.

Rating: B

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