Excalibur 1 - 4
Forging the Sword
I think it's a solid idea to take a disillusioned Charles Xavier, load him up with advanced technological gadgets (think a Batman-like utility belt only in this case it's a utility chair) and quite literally drop him into a foreign country starting the dream of mutant equality anew. Bringing his character to the forefront of a comic is fascinating to me as he's been the seminal spiritual leader and background supporting character within the X-titles for decades. He's always been there, either in person or in spiritual legacy, but he's never really had so central a role within a title. Though at first it felt a little out of character, I like the MacGyver personality style they've infused in Xavier this time out.
I really respect a physically challenged individual being shown as an adventurous, well rounded hero. Charles Xavier has gone back and forth with his handicap over the years and I appreciate the fact that Chris Claremont has, so far, written Xavier as working with and through this physical obstacles. Not to be too politically correct, but I really like knowing a physically challenged role model exists within comics. I see it as a bit of a storyline cop-out when a writer chooses to give Xavier back his mobility and respect those who work with it in a story. I tip my hat here for making a good choice.
Teaming Xavier with a "reformed" Magneto (though he's not nearly as menacing as the cover to issue #2 would have you believe) was a smart move. Honestly, Magneto was the chief thing that tugged me into trying the title. If you've read some of my prior reviews, you know I'm a bit of a sucker for the reformed villain and the interpersonal relationship that exists between he and Xavier makes for an interesting dynamic within the title. It's one of the redeeming qualities within this series that's going to keep me on board. Admittedly, we come into the story knowing that Magneto was beheaded by Wolverine in X-Men #150. The entire premise that the individual killed was a false Magneto did feel a bit weak when presented here though Xavier arriving with the "false Magneto/false Xorn" body seems to lend itself to future story that might be interesting.
The writer: Many look upon Chris Claremont writing the book as a good thing due to his association with the classic era of Uncanny X-men. I will be the first to admit that this era was among the best of the best, but I'm not sure that I would judge him now by what he produced then. For me, I look at titles like Xtreme X-Men, Sovereign Seven, his Fantastic Four run, Mekanix and other series he's worked on recently for a baseline. Quite honestly, his recent efforts haven't been very impressive and I say this chiefly because of character concepts. He spins interesting stories, but many of the characters he creates feel hollow and thinly realized.
Bringing Callisto to the team is interesting (though the tentacles threw me at first). That said, I would much rather see Claremont bring established mutants to the title rather than create a new batch of nobodies. The cover of issue #1 certainly gave me the impression that Claremont would be pulling from the 
existing mutant mythos. I mean, come on... doesn't the marvel universe have enough abandoned mutants lying around in the wings that we could reinvent a few of them rather than add to the collective pantheon?
The characters: Despite my desire to like this title, the characters are doing a lot to push me away. Early on we have a ghostly Moira McTaggart who seems to represent a bit of Xavier insanity. She promptly disappears without any further explanation shortly into the second issue. Who comes out of the shadows... the motley cast of Wicked, Freakshow, Hub, Hack, Purge, Shola Inkose (a Genoshan telekinetic) and Karima Shapandar (an omega sentinel). Add to the mix, Unus the Unstouchable, a couple unnamed Unus cronies, Callisto, someone referred to as Chimere, a dead cockroach, a mix of Magistrate flunkies and you have the cast to date.
Let me just say that "Wicked" may be the worst comic name I've seen. Mix with that a tired fish net stocking look and you have an utterly forgettable character. Her ability to channel spirits would make her interesting, power-wise, but overall I'm not liking this character concept. Perhaps Claremont will pull a Thunderbird with her and she can channel herself in an upcoming storyline. Freakshow seems kind hearted, but equally two dimensional. Hub, Hack and Purge dangle a future sub-plot involving Chimere, but barely pique the reader's interest. Purge comes across as a mix of Puck and Wildchild from Alpha Flight with an attitude guaranteed to annoy. Hub and Hack might as well be generic characters as they so lack depth in their initial presentation. In their dangling plot, Chimere has Hub infiltrating Unus' group (who knew he could qualify as a legitimate villain let alone one who has flunkies). I was really hoping the killer croc look-alike/Unus flunky would be part of Xavier's team. Now he was interesting. Also, can anyone tell me why Shola Inkose and Karima Shapandar were even in the vicinity of Genosha? It all just doesn't quite make sense as we complete the first story-arc.
There appears to be various unrealized political overtones here. Maybe we'll see this aspect of the story developed over time. Maybe the characters will grow on me. I'm trying to keep an open mind, but they need to evolve quickly or even an interest in Magnus and Xavier won't succeed in bonding me to this title.
The environment: Here in Genosha, we have a lot of characters running toward each other, attacking and retreating in what looks like a barren post-apocalyptic shell of a city. Where are the other survivors? Where's the interest? I'm hoping these elements will come in the next story arc. I like the concept of rebuilding Genosha, but I think that the approach of the series in this first storyline misses an opportunity. It would be interesting to see a lavish, flushed out culture working to rebuild with a mix of political overtones and intrigue as Magneto and Xavier work to forge unity in a diverse, emotionally scarred mutant population. X-Men titles have always mirrored deeper socio-political issues such as prejudice and racism. This title seems like a perfect chance to explore the emotions present in our own post 9/11 culture. The attack on Genosha could mirror the attack on New York and explore the unity and healing process our own nation has undergone along with the isolation we feel in a world which has become increasing hostile. Instead we have, thus far, missed opportunity and a wasteland filled with teenage punks. I'm inviting Claremont to prove me wrong and build a stronger story, but the first outing leaves me fearful for the long-term survival of this title.
How's the title fairing? Excalibur #3 ranked 19th in sales in July. The title fell to 23rd in August with issue #4 and issue #5 came in at 28th. This sales trend changed a little in October as the #6 issue climbed back two spots to 26th.
Scale of 1 to 10 ... Forging the Sword: 4
December 16, 2004
