X-MEN UNITED #4 – Into the Game

Creative Team – Eve L. Ewing, Tiago Palma, Brian Reber, VC’s Joe Sabino, Stefano Caselli, Federico Blee

Published by Marvel Comics

Catch up with X-Men United #3!

The Story

This comic review is brought to you by the dynamic duo of Megan and Shawn!

Shawn – Nerdy X-Men D&D? Sign me up!!! It’s like Dr. Eve Ewing wrote this issue for me. Scott continues to be the joyless weirdo he’s always been, and honestly, I love that for him. I know it will mean that he will like most X-Men series, ultimately be proven right, but man, this series has him pegged on the personality front. I also love that Bobby is essentially the Dungeon Master of the group. That seems like something that would be right up Bobby’s alley.

This issue took a turn, and I absolutely loved it. Taking something that starts as a bit of a love letter to RPG nerds and turning it into an actual stunning narrative is a testament to great writing, and Ewing nailed it. I’m excited to see this story continue in future issues. One thing that I appreciate about Ewing’s work on X-Men United is the continued use of newer X-Men. Throughout the history of X-Men, it feels like a new mutant is introduced and then they kinda fade once a new writer takes over. Seeing Ben and Deathdream continue to be part of the team has been one of my favorite parts of this series.

Megan – You could have given me a million guesses, and I would never have guessed this is where the story was going to go in X-Men United. As we know from the previous issues, there is a huge tension between Scott and Emma. As a way to make everyone start working as a team, Bobby created a game to force everyone to work as a team. If you’re a Dungeons & Dragons fan, then this issue is definitely for you!

Emma’s mind is elsewhere when she receives a threat from her past. According to her surprise visitor, her moves are being watched, and they aren’t appreciated. Emma, being Emma, brushes it off in front of the visitor, but it’s clear that it’s staying on her mind through this game. Big things are being set up in X-Men United #4, and I cannot wait to see where it goes!

The Art

Shawn – Tiago Palma and Brian Reber come firing right out of the gate. X-Men United #4 opens with perhaps the best Iceman panel drawn by anyone other than Luciana Vecchio. The line work from Palma and the color and shading from Reber on Bobby is stunning and sets the tone for what is to come. Combined with the words, the art on that first panel serves as a wonderful red herring, sending us towards a level of seriousness that is quickly met with the hilarity of a D&D group getting together. Palma continues to craft expressive and interesting looks for the characters. Seeing his “in-world” outfits for the characters in Bobby’s game was really fun. The design was new but very fitting for each character.

Brian Reber does an amazing job capturing the mood through colors. Whether it’s the lush flowers setting the tone for Emma’s conversation or the earth tones of Bobby’s created world, Reber picks just the right color for the moment. The colors and shading on Emma’s face paint her as the force to be reckoned with that she is. Joe Sabino does a top-notch job helping navigate the story within the story and keeping you on track through Bobby’s make-believe world and what is really happening.

Megan – There are pages in United X-Men #4 that are downright stunning thanks to Tiago Palma, Brian Reber, and Joe Sabino. Palma continues to impress on the highest level with all he’s able to do with the art of the comic. In the fourth issue, we see plenty of different scenes, all drawn beautifully. Along with that are some excellent looks at the powersets of the characters, and each panel packs a punch. Alongside Palma is Brian Reber, who handles the colors. With the beautiful contrast of vibrancy and darker tones, Reber makes this issue absolutely dazzling. Joe Sabino comes in and wraps this package in its beautiful bow with his work on the lettering. Capturing each different emotion of the characters, Sabino is able to make you feel the vastly different tones happening simultaneously in the story. Together, the artists really made this an issue to remember.

Final Thoughts

Shawn – 9.5/10. I loved this issue. As an RPG nerd myself, this feels like such a fun and different approach to X-Men. It’s creative, fun, and yet serious at the same time. I can’t wait to see where we go from here in this series.

Megan – 9.1/10. This issue was fun all around! From beginning to end, there was action, there was emotion, and there was excitement. Eve L. Ewing continues to deliver in each issue of X-Men United.

Overall Grade – 9.3/10

Let us know in the comments what you thought of X-Men United #4!