EXPATRIATE X-MEN #2 – Kink in the Plan

Creative Team – Eve L. Ewing, Francesco Mortarino, Raúl Angulo, VC’s Ariana Maher

Published by Marvel Comics

Catch up with Expatriate X-Men #1 here!

The Story

Following the events of the Age of Revelation, Bronze, Melee, Rift, Ms. Marvel, and now Colossus have formed their own team called the Blue Dashers. Their most recent mission given to them by Mystique was to rescue Adrian Star, AKA Lyrebird, from a military complex.

Lyrebird is worth more than he seems because he has a photographic memory that harbours military intelligence that Darkchild wants. With Lyrebird on board the ship, the Blue Dashers make their way to the Limbo Lands where they’re supposed to deliver him to Darkchild.

This seems like a very straight through plan except for one thing; Melee has been working against her team. Conspiring behind her team’s back, Melee works to keep Lyrebird out of Darkchild’s hands. With tension already growing between the team members, Melee and her secret could be the thing that breaks them apart.

The Writing

Expatriate X-Men #2 continues the gritty and darker lifestyle of characters we’re so used to seeing bright and happy beams of light in their own lives. Ms. Marvel has always been a happy and bubbly character, so seeing how the Age of Revelation has affected her is very interesting. Seeing her being the most negative team mater of the Blue Dashers is unexpected but puts a great new perspective on how the events of Revelation has changed the characters.

In Expatriate X-Men #2, we get to see quite a few different perspectives from the characters. We see how beaten down Colossus is now that Kitty is gone, we see how supportive Bronze is, and how conniving Melee can be. After all that happened in the second issue, I’m very excited to see what Ewing brings in the third issue as we’re left on a very lively cliffhanger.

The Art

Francesco Mortarino, the artist of Expatriate X-Men #2, brings so much talent to the pages with his excellent use of detail. The characters aged up X amount of years all look fantastic and are drawn with precision. Alongside Mortarino is Raúl Angulo, who handles the colors of the comic. There is a beautiful use of juxtaposition with the vibrant colors and the darker tones, making the bright colors the focal point of the panel. There is a page that shows Lyrebird’s true power, and I think this page displays both Mortarino and Angulo’s talents working beautifully to compliment each other.

Final Thoughts

Expatriate X-Men #2 is an excellent piece of the Age of Revelation event that has a great story and even better characters.

Overall Grade – 8/10

Let me know in the comments below what you think of Expatriate X-Men #2!

This review was written by Megan from the Vigilante Vibes Podcast. If you liked my review, be sure to check out my other reviews! Let me know what you think of Expatriate X-Men #2, or tell me what comics you’d recommend me trying out! Find me on my socials, and check out my Marvel podcast, Vigilante Vibes, by clicking here!