Review by Tim Sheridan
“Date Night” Park 2 of 3
Writer: Robert Kirkman
Penciler: Tom Raney
Inker: Scott Hanna
Colors: Gina Going-Raney
Letters: VC’s Randy Gentile
Production: Brad Johansen
Asst Editor: John Barber
Asst Editor: Nicole Wiley Boose
Editor: Ralph Macchio
Published by Marvel Comics
Many moons ago, we were told that Bryan Singer would be writing this book. Then we were told that would be pushed back. Actually, that happened a lot. Brian K Vaughn came in, and then we were told that Singer would take over after he left. That didn’t happen, and now Robert Kirkman is writing the book. Normally, I would be annoyed. I was looking forward to Singer’s run on the book, and I guess to some degree, I still am. But I really enjoyed all the stuff that Vaughn came up with, and now, only two issues into Kirkman’s run, I am loving it.
This first story he has written, “Date Night”, is a whole lot of fun, something that is missing from all the non-Ultimate X-books right now. There is serious stuff going on, sure. But the book is given a sense of levity that was sorely needed after Vaughn’s “Magnetic North”.
I also have to mention the art by Tom Raney. He has always been one of my favorite artists, one who has really never been given the top-tier assignment he deserved. His work is incredibly stylized and is full of energy. I hope he sticks with the book for at least as long as Kirkman does, because he has a lot to offer this team.
Back to the story. Kirkman does a great job of continuing the strong characterizations that Vaughn did in his run. The strongest example of this is the conversation between Colossus and Nightcrawler. Colossus’ sexuality has been hinted at and dealt with from early on in this series. And it’s great to see it handled with in such a deft and mature way.
Elsewhere, Sabretooth returns, alive and well, and with a bombshell for Wolverine. It’s something I didn’t see coming, and it’ll be very interesting to see how it unfolds, not just for this story, but for the long haul.
There are so many other great things about this story too. The Charles/Lilandra thread is quite compelling, and a lot more simple than their relationship in the Marvel Universe proper. I’m not sure how the boy who is running from the authorities will tie in, but it’s involving nonetheless. And the other dates with Cyclops/Jean and Rogue/Iceman are simply delightful.
I don’t know how long Kirkman is on the book for, but I’m in for it. I have no problem with heavy, heady comics, but this “fun” story is a welcome three-issue diversion.
