Review: Invasion! In ‘X-Men’ #19

When it comes to dangling plot threads, the X-Men line has always been full of them. It can often be cathartic to see them resolved, but in X-Men #19, it just gets the team in some deep deep trouble.

Gerry Duggan, Stefano Caselli, Federico Blee, and Clayton Cowles get the team in too deep.

The Starjammer is in trouble, the victims of a planetside Brood attack. Now the team has to try to stop the invasion, rescue Corsair, and try to find King Broo, their former teammate and current king of the Brood. Unfortunately it might be much more complicated than they think. Meanwhile, Forge and Monet begin an investigation into a question they don’t want the answer to.

This is an action story through and through. Duggan gives it emotional stakes though- Cyclops worrying about his father, Synch and Laura trying to adjust, worry over Broo. It feels like a big deal, and an important story though. It has a scope that gives it meaning in the bigger picture of the universe, but also progresses the character-centered storylines this year has featured. While the series has been way less plot focused since the most recent Hellfire Gala, this issue could be putting it back on track for the conclusion of year two.

The art, in the meantime, is worth the price of admission alone. I’m so glad for Caselli’s resurgence in the X-Men line. He’s able to balance action with character acting, making sure our heroes’ personalities shine through, even as they’re busting aliens. The Brood are menacing, and his art makes them feel like an unrelenting horde. Blee’s colors are great too, particularly with the glow of Cyclops’ visor. The red glow permeates the page, but he plays with shadow and directional lighting to make it atmospheric.

This issue was a lot of fun, and worth the time. This invasion is more than just another beat-em-up, using King Broo to set up a story that could have impact for a while yet.

X-Men #19 is available now from Marvel Comics.