Psylocke: Ninja #1 – Rising From The Fall

Betsy Braddock is back in Psylocke: Ninja #1 or is she? The opening of a five-part series that is part of Marvel’s Shadows of Tomorrow era of X-Men, Psylocke: Ninja is another lost story flashback mini-series in the vein of Rogue: Savage Land or Emma Frost: The White Queen. The creative team fires the opening salvo in a story that explores the past of one of the most mysterious X-Men, the assassin Psylocke. Joining me for this first issue review is Yancy.

Creative Team

Writer: Tim Seeley
Artist: Nico Leon
Color Artist: Dono Sanchez-Almara
Letterer: VC’s Ariana Maher
Cover Artist: Derrick Chew

Writing

Shawn: Seeley opens with a modern interpretation of some pretty famous panels from 1989’s Uncanny X-Men #251. Using this issue as the starting point, Seeley begins to tell the story of Psylocke. In doing so, Seeley is telling the story of both Betsy Braddock and Kwannon. In telling the story in this five-issue series, Seeley takes on what has at best been a complicated mess of a character.

While every character in the Marvel universe has experienced some level of retcon, Psylocke has seen more than her fair share. With this opening issue, Seeley begins a deeper dive into how Kwannon and Betsy Braddock become intertwined. In telling this story, Seeley also offers us a deeper look at The Hand and its counterpart, The Chaste. Seeley appears to be setting up what may become the quintessential primer for explaining to future X-Men fans the saga of how Betsy Braddock and Kwannon are permanently intertwined.

Yancy: Just like “Rogue: The Savage Land” by Tim Seely, this new Psylocke: Ninja series takes place in the
past. Specifically, after some hallucinations Wolverine had during Uncanny X-Men #251. Not only is Seely picking and choosing some of the most famous moments from Claremont’s writing to add to the X-Men lore, but he is also recontextualizing the story of Psylocke. This is particularly true for her origin, which by anyone’s account, is complicated to say the least, both in the creation of the character and the story chosen to explain it.

Tim Seely is taking a huge risk by returning to the convoluted origins of Kwannon as Psylocke. If that wasn’t enough, he’s created a paradox of sorts by using Betsy Braddock as a plot device to recontextualize this already complicated story.

Art

Nico Leon did great work with this issue. As someone who grew up reading comics as a kid, but also loves what growth and technology have done for comics in today’s era, I love getting Leon’s modern interpretation of some of the familiar #251 panels. Sanchez-Almara does a great job with colors, bringing richer hues and shading than possible during the 1980s when the original Uncanny X-Men #251, which this comic picks up from, was published.

Because this issue is part past, part future, Leon really gave Sanchez-Almara a lot of room to play around with colors. The earth tones hues come through just as well as the bring gleaming light of the Siege Perilous.

Ariana Maher continues to show why VC is so relied upon when it comes to lettering. Whether it’s the crispy clear lettering or the subtle lavender color chosen for Psylocke’s work blocks, Maher’s work really shines. Marvel continues to do a great job of putting writing and visual creative teams that work well together on projects and Psylocke: Ninja #1 is no exception.

Overall :9/10

Shawn: 9.5/10

Overall, I loved this issue. The decision to start with the updated 1980’s panels is, I think, a brilliant one. The only thing that keeps me from giving this issue a full 10/10 is the fact that it relies so heavily on prior knowledge of that Uncanny X-Men #251 issue. While Seeley does a great job of catching readers up, the “previously in” and explanatory panels simply aren’t enough for someone to jump right into the story without some prior reading. The story works well and is setting a good tone. I’m so excited for the battle that is foreshadowed for issue #2.

Yancy:8/10

In Psylocke: Ninja #1, Tim Seely gets to tell what happened with Betsy Braddock and the others after they left Wolverine behind in the Savage Land. I am very interested to see how this unfolds. As a matter of fact, I’m optimistic to see where this goes. Cautiously optimistic, but optimistic, nonetheless.

If you enjoyed this review, check out more from Shawn and Yancy.

Which Psylocke is your favorite? Betsy Braddock or Kwannon? Tell us in the comments!