Jean Grey is determined to save the Marvel Universe, and her mission begins here! Read Full Review

This is a great addition to the X-Men Red storyline. I have loved seeing the development of Jean after her resurrection and this entire issue is devoted to her solely. I love how it has been able to touch on the heart of the character as well as express the woman that she hopes to be from this point forward. Great art, great story, GREAT COMIC! Read Full Review

X-Men Red Annual #1 is a compelling and enjoyable refresher on the character of Jean Grey, who she was, and who she may yet become. Shes a great solo lead, the art is incredible, and the comic earns a strong recommendation. Give it a read. Read Full Review

I Loved this book and if there weren't some other gems to come out this annuals week, it would be my book of the week. Read Full Review

Tom Taylor, Pascal Alixe, andChris Sotomayor bring the past to the present with the final piece in Jean's resurrection arc. Fans of X-MEN RED will enjoy seeing some much needed interactions between Jean and other characters, but they might be disappointed by the lack of depth. Read Full Review

By the end, the emotional punch of X-Men Red Annual #1 more than makes up for the moments when it doesn't quite come together. Read Full Review

If you're only reading one X-title, you should definitely make sure it's X-Men Red. Read Full Review

X-Men: Red is one of the strongest X titles and this issue is no exception. Read Full Review

The X-Men Red storyline has been compelling thus far, and I thought this annual chapter didnt live up to the high standards of the series introduction. Im still looking forward to the rest of this series, but I hope that the themes introduced here are further explored in the main story. For readers who are trying to decide whether this book is worth following, Id say that this issue a non-representative chapter of what the story has been like so far in terms of themes, tone, and artwork; I suggest reading the first four issues for those looking to determine if this book is a good fit for them. Read Full Review

A strong companion to its core series, "X-Men Red Annual" #1 bridges an important gap of Jean's story by focusing on what makes it personal. And while the art can seem strangely designed at times, it does not take away materially from the overall package. Read Full Review

X-Men ares Annual 1 gets a C+ for a solid story and solid writing but art that doesnt fit along with it. Read Full Review

Too much of this story seemed to be missing for it to be entertaining or engaging. Jean seemed to drift in and out of moments without really engaging in them and with the people in her life. There was a lot that could have been explored in this issue and it seemed to focus more on the surface rather than the substance. Read Full Review

Even with disappointing artwork, X-Men Red Annual #1 is a BORROW thanks to a script filled with great energy and a haunting finale! Read Full Review

While the story delivers, the art does not, and in the end the entire issue suffers. Read Full Review

X-Men: Red Annual #1 is a poorly timed comic that did not help build interest for Tom Taylor's first storyline that is still ongoing. It would have been much better if Taylor and Marvel held of on giving X-Men: Red an Annual issue until at least ten issues into the series. By not waiting a lot of the content of this Annual ended up being a rehash of the character work Taylor has done in the four issues of X-Men: Red. Read Full Review

Tom Taylor is doing remarkable work on X-men Red. This Annual takes a step back and really features what Jean Grey is about. This annual does a great job of tieing up some ends and investing Jean Grey the leader in person. Taylor writes a story that shows why Jean really is the leader the X-men and mutant kind actually deserve. Every character voice in this book feels right.

There is one big problem with this annual. Pascal Alixe's art is not up the standard of the writing. Characters look strange and sometimes it feels like Alixe stretched skin across skeletons and called them people. Maybe the artist and colorist were not on the same page because normally X-Men red reads and looks amazing. My hope is that Alixe is not one the artists that works the regular monthly series. This annual does serve the ongoing story but it is not required reading to understand the next issue.

Overall I continue to enjoy Tom Taylor's work on the X-titles.

Pick it up. more

Welcome back Jean and she don’t need the phoenix force or cerebro this time. Tom Taylor does it again with this issue. Pick X-Men Red up guys.

Welcome to the Oblivion Bar where the first round is on me and the pretzels are free! Be warned: like the pickled eggs at the bar, this issue is going to get SPOILED rotten.

This annual was mainly about summarizing what has happened to Jean Grey. For those that don’t remember, adult Jean Grey was dead. The X-men went to visit her grave when they noticed a large bird flying around the sun and moon because they thought Jean was back. When they arrived to her grave, it was empty. Long story short, after hatching from the Phoenix egg with no memories, Jean’s team tried to remind her of who she was. Eventually, she was able to convince the Phoenix Force to leave her and give her back her memories. That’s where this issue kicks off. Right after she gives up the Phoenix Force BUT right before she creates X-men Red.

The issue opens with a trip down memory lane. This was probably a way to show readers how Jean was getting her memories back after being dead for so long. She remembers being the Phoenix and then dying to save everyone. She remembers sending the Phoenix Force away and rejoicing with everyone to finally get their Jean Grey back; one that wasn’t possessed by some cosmic entity. Later, we find out that the Phoenix Force was actually holding back her psychic powers. She was always afraid if she used her abilities too much she would let out the Phoenix Force and kill someone. But not anymore! We will be seeing a new Jean that we’ve never seen before.... an omega Level telepath that could rival Xavier. I’m pumped for that!

Next, her friends catch her up on events while she was gone. They talk about how Kitty phased a giant bullet through the planet, and how a different older Wolverine from an alternate future timeline was here now. Basically, showing her how crazy things have been since she’s been dead. Then, Kurt teleports her to the Xavier Institute and tells her that it was even named after her for a time, which she finds truly amazing. They end up in Central Park where Jean sees that people still hate mutants for some reason and it drives her to want to make a change and follow in Xaviers footsteps.

Up next on the Jean Grey Returns Tour, she stops by to see Rachel Summers, which is her daughter with Cyclops who was sent to a future timeline that she never really knew. Because of their psychic abilities, they don’t even need to talk to one another. They can catch up on each others feelings and past faster by using psychic links. They both fly off to go find the daughter of the other man Jean loved, which was Wolverine’s daughter Laura. She explains that the two people she loved so much are gone and these two are the only connections she has to them left in this world.

After a few parlor tricks for Gabby, Laura’s roommate, Rachel, Laura, and Jean go to find Black Bolt. Why? Well, because indirectly he’s the reason Cyclops is dead. When Black Bolt released the Terrigen Mist, that’s when Cyclops died. But Jean didn’t come to fight. She wanted and explanation and she wanted an apology. Maybe at first she wanted revenge but after reading Black Bolts mind, she realized that his intent wasn’t to kill anyone, it was to save his people. And thus, all Jean wanted was for him to say “sorry”. So, she links with Black Bolt mentally so he can talk to her and tell her just that, “I’m sorry”.

Jean makes amends with the Inhumans, for the most part, and opens a new chapter where they hope to work together in the future. The issue ends with Jean standing over Scott’s grave explaining to him that she can’t stand the world now and that she is going to change it. Ultimately, she wishes he was here to see it through with her. But in my opinion, you can’t have Jean without Scott. It’s only a matter of time before he comes back.

The issue had pretty good art with realistic faces and mannerisms. It was unique and interesting art and I kind of liked it.... even though Jean’s “core” was unnecessarily “robust” throughout the entire issue. Does rebirth do that to a person? And when did Jean Grey become Power Girl? I mean, come on man. We didn’t progress the story a ton either but we got to see a prelude to the team being put together and fill in some gaps to those who hopped on the book a couple months ago, which was nice.

You don’t need to read this issue. It’s not required but that’s normally the case with most annuals. It wasn’t bad by any stretch but I think I would have only gotten it if I was a diehard Jean fan or X-men fan. It’s definitely worth a pick up in that situation. But the average reader isn’t missing much.... again I don’t mean that in a negative way.

I loved the Black Bolt parts. This shows the work Taylor puts in. Why you ask? Well, notice that when Jean goes to visit Black Bolt that Blinky is there. Black Bolt recently met her in his series that ended a couple months ago when he was trapped on a slave world by some ancient Vampire Succubus that feed on fear. To me, it’s important for a writer to be current AND to be reading along with us while they are writing to keep up. I feel like that’s part of the job if you want to be a great writer. This way, you are less likely to mess up by adding in something you shouldn’t.

So, when I see elements like that in a book, my score automatically goes up for continuity, thoroughness, and sheer respect that the writer shows to other comics. Taylor did that in spades here showing he is truly Taylormade. Excellent job. I’m not surprised Taylor does this. He’s an amazing writer, which is half the reason I’m so interested in this X-book in the first place. And all of you should be too. Nothing has changed. If you want an X-book, this is the one. Pick it up!

If you like what you heard, love talking all types of comics, and are interested in joining a comic chat group, hit me up at dispatchdcu@gmail.com or @dispatchdcu on twitter. Catch you all later! Peace more

A flashback to Jean's post-resurrection activities flounders under poor art and corny dialogue. The plot is sound and the intent of the characterization is great, but the execution is lacking. The art puts detail in all the wrong places and desperately needs bolder, more conventional linework. The script pulls multiple tricks to hide some of Jean's key conversations using narrative summaries or psychic mojo; given the quality of the dialogue that does get to the page, that's probably just as well. There are enough flaws here to drag an otherwise-promising story down and render it merely average.

Where The Hell is Xornetto when you need one?

This book tastes like virtue signaling and bad writing.

I usually have pretty low expectations for annual issues, and Tom Taylor managed to live down to my expectations in every way. The thing most people will focus on is the terrible hot dog line. I think back to the classic 70's and 80's books written by Chris Claremont (the all time best X-Men writer) and how he dealt with bigotry. He didn't bring it up in every single issue but he did touch on it fairly frequently. Instead of portraying regular people as cartoonish bigots, Claremont would often write them as conflicted about their feelings towards mutants. They would express genuine concerns about their own safety or the safety of their families in a world with mutants. By the end of the story they would often have reassessed their view of mutants, usually after seeing the X-Men do something ennobling. Claremont knew that his readers were mostly kids and he wrote simple moral parables for them. In contrast Tom Taylor writes for an audience of self righteous adults to whom he relentlessly conveys that he is a good and virtuous person.

The usual X-Men Red criticisms apply. The art makes all of the women look ugly. Jean looks like a forty two year old stripper. The characters have no individual personality. Honey Badger is awful.

The line about the Phoenix holding Jean back makes absolutely no sense. I don't expect every X-Men writer to be an expert, but for a book that lists four different editors and assistant editors you would think somebody could spot huge mistakes like this. more

+ Like • Comments (4)

• Likes (4)

• Br'er Lapin AKA 20-Ish Ceiln
• aceraxon
• Nicetrylaoche
• SupesAmongSupes

Show all comments

MKW69 - Jun 3, 2018

Dude. You're an idiot. Claremont never gone enough. You're A real live Member of Purifiers and rest of bigots.

Forge - Jun 5, 2018

I'm left speechless by your eloquence and deftness with the English language.

Br'er Lapin AKA 20-Ish Ceiln - Jun 14, 2018

I haven't read this yet but I feel like this a problem most writing falls into today, so I definitely relate to your complaints.

The-MJP - Aug 7, 2018

"no one's that bigoted" . - ever been to 4chan?

Sign in to comment

The art is uneven, Jean Grey half the time looks like she has a man's body, I just don't understand what's going on there. The dialogue is about the most awful garbage I've ever seen. I mean, seriously, stop and read it out loud. Read the interaction between Logan and Jean and see how awful it is. It makes no sense, she just comes off like a jerk.

The story is about as boring as possible, the artwork is bad, why was this printed? Just so we could get that, "Tastes like mustard and bigotry!" line? Oh, such witty dialogue. Is Dan Slott one of the few decent writers left at Marvel???