REVIEW: BotA: Part 8: Uncanny X-Men #13

Let's do the Time Warp again!

Copyright Marvel

We're at number eight. I've literally only just got my hands on my copy, being at University means I can only get my pull list twice a month when I go home, so this one was eagerly anticipated after the previous lot. 

It opens as you'd expect with the Uncanny X-Men and the real X-Men of the future alongside Beast and Iceman (the young'uns). Cyclops being the man that he is (I also don't really like Cyclops - he can be a douche), tries to formulate a plan to get into the school. Before they can start Y. Beast and Iceman are kidnapped. 

Xavier and Ice Hulk start to attack the Uncanny X-Men and future X-Men in an attempt to stop them taking the school. Ok, seriously, Ice Hulk is definitely Bobby but come on Bendis! Explain yourself! I really hope that gets explained before the end of Battle of the Atom, because it's a really interesting plot point in my opinion. 

A fight breaks out almost everywhere, and Older Beast tries to send the O5 X-Men back to the past in attempt to save themselves from the future they don't want. I'm assuming it's to save Dazzler and make sure that she never gets assassinated in the brutal fashion. 

Old Handlebar himself gets up close and personal with Xavier, I would love to know what happens with Colossus too, from working with the X-Force to becoming a prominent part of the X-Men is a big change. Especially since he regards himself as a fugitive that should be locked away. But heh, I guess that's all in the future!

When the O5 are gathered around the Time Cube Older Beast tries to send them back. But can't. Which complicates things further, this means that the O5 can't go back at all surely? This is a strange turn of events, and will cause more time travel related questions since Bendis wrote Age of Ultron. 

That's pretty much where it ends. What an intriguing storyline! Seriously, it's just got better and better, I cannot wait for parts nine and ten. 

My rating: 

9/10: AWESOME! Seriously! Cannot wait for the series to resolve itself, it's funny because I seem to enjoy Bendis' books more than the others. Which is a strange turn of events I must say. Congrats Bendis, you've won me over.

REVIEW: BotA: Part 7: X-Men #6

Part 7, only three left!!

Copyright Marvel

The opener to this book is great, it's funny and pretty cool. Broo being a babysitter? Hah! Shogo is in there again, and it seems to only be filler for a couple of pages. Just talking about giving Shogo some sort of protection, I really think he's going to be important.

The next few pages are devoted to the current and future X-Men ("future X-Men" being questionable and unexplained at the moment). Xavier gets told that Iceman and Beast are in the future, and he gets very angry. I think things are starting to fall apart for the "future" X-Men at this rate Wolverine is getting pissed off with Xavier when Rachel makes a comment that reaffirms Wolverine's suspicions.

Just going to break from the review for a second, just for some thoughts.

Here they are; In our current time there are two or three factions of X-Men (three at a push). The first is Cyclops' Uncanny X-Men, the second Wolverines X-Men at JGS (this includes the books WatXM, XMen, ANXM), the third at a push is the Original 5 (or 4 since Angel abandoned them). What if one of these factions of X-Men over time became what is the future Xavier, Kitty, Beast and co.? The future alternative team (like Uncanny X-Men is to WatXM).

Especially since Xavier said he is apart of the X-Men in a manner of speaking.

Back to the review.

Wolverine gets his first proper test after losing his healing factor, he loses a lot of blood quickly and it's not shown whether he will survive or not. But they can't kill off Wolverine can they? All hell then breaks loose. X-Men against "X-Men", it's pretty unsurprising that people are beginning to suspect the future X-Men of something a little more sinister, especially after Rachels outburst earlier. But I still think that some of the current X-Men would like to see the O5 go back to their original time.

With Beast shutting down JGS completely, the Uncanny X-Men along with Beast and Iceman, and the future real X-Men. Pretty sure Colossus must be there in his Handlebar mustache glory. Seriously, they come back into fashion in the future?

The book then ends on a bit of a cliffhanger, the "Iron Man" type thing is revealed, GUESS WHO? Shogo. Yes. Shogo. I'm going to wait until Part 8 to see if he has much more to do with it.

My rating?

8/10: This issue was definitely more memorable than previous parts of the story. The pace is awesome and the story is getting better. I really hope they keep up this momentum until the finale. 

RAMBLINGS: Digital Vs Physical Copy

I've seen this argument all over the internet, and not just with Comicbooks, with what seems like the entire world trying to expand into the digital world. The majority of Marvel comicbooks are now available through the internet, on iOS and Android devices.

Many current series are also sold with a free digital edition, something I really appreciate as I like to keep my books in good condition whilst still being able to enjoy the books by reading them on my iPad wherever and whenever (for instance, in less than enjoyable University lectures). I also think it's a nice attempt at stopping illegal downloading by people who simply want to read it on a digital device.

I think the main advantage of having these digital editions available to everyone is that people who wouldn't normally be able to read the books have the ability to buy them through a couple of touches on a screen. Comixology the main provider of digital comics are great at getting them to you, and all the books are available every Wednesday like their physical counterpart.

They're also very easy to follow, with the screen following the panels as the writer/artist intended you to. This makes it easier for the user to see, of course you can still view it in the same way as you would with a physical copy with a normal portrait view.

I also like the idea of being able to get it now, rather than (if you're like me) waiting for them to come through in the post. There is something nice about the comic being downloaded instantly on the day of release.

But now, the downsides.

Now, I do genuinely love having the digital copy after buying the physical copy from my local store because as I've said before it's because I like to keep my books in the best possible condition. However, I would never move totally to a digital comic pull list because I don't think I could justify the $3.99 (around £2.65 in real money) on something that is intangible. You could argue that it's the enjoyment I'm getting from it, but if I ever eventually got rid of my iPad I wouldn't be able to read the books with the same ease, as a computer really doesn't feel the same.

I also feel that if you have access to buy the physical copies or to subscribe like I do and get them sent through the post, then the whole idea of being able to get them digitally becomes a little redundant (in my eyes at least). However, if P&P is an issue for you then absolutely go for it!