DVD Review: Astonishing X-Men: Torn

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Joss Whedon has gone from cult figure to blockbuster writer-director thanks to his work on The Avengers. How did he make such a hot costumed superhero flick? Perhaps the simple fact that unlike so many other directors that tackle comic book movies, Whedon has been on the other side of the experience. He has written comic books. He understands what people want on the colored pages before adapting the panels into motion. While people await the sequel to The Avengers, his Astonishing X-Men comic books are being animated. The Marvel Knights animation maintains the integrity of John Cassaday’s artwork. Astonishing X-Men: Torn is the third of the four story arcs Whedon and Cassaday collaborated on following Gifted and Dangerous.

Torn covers issues 12-18 of Astonishing X-Men series. Dangerous hinted that Emma Frost wasn’t that tight with the X-Men. Torn shows her more torn between remaining with the good guys or joining new version of The Hellfire Club featuring Cassandra Nova, Sebastian Shaw, Perfection and others. The mutant telepath does her best to stay with the X-Men. However her relationship with Cyclops gets messed up cause the guy isn’t that tough. Turns out they had some psychic hooking up while he was still with Jean Grey. Things go weird when Kitty Pride believes she had a son that was taken away by Professor X. She wants her child back and won’t be stopped. A big twist arrives when S.W.O.R.D. needs the X-Men to battle on Breakworld. There’s no rest for them in the six issues present as six episodes.

Astonishing X-Men: Torn demonstrates that Whedon’s success with The Avengers wasn’t a fluke. He had a track record in creating comic books that work. His characters have more depth than the page. The Marvel Knights process allows Whedon’s words and Cassaday’s art come to life instead for influence the final product His blend of drama, action and comedy work in the animated adaptation. If you’re more of a fan of superhero movies than collecting comic books, this is the perfect compromise. You can absorb Whedon’s early days in the Marvel Universe.

The video is 1.78:1 anamorphic. The animation looks clean as they adapt motion to Cassaday’s original panels. The audio is Dolby Digital Stereo. The voices aren’t over the top in emotions. The mix with the music is fine.

There are no bonus features.

Astonishing X-Men: Torn stages a tug of war for the soul of Emma Frost. Will she join the new Hellfire Club or stick to the X-Men? Josh Whedon created a story that works as good in motion as it did on the page.

Shout! Factory presents Astonishing X-Men: Torn. Screenplay by: Joss Whedon. Art by: John Cassady. Running Time: 82 minutes. Released: August 14, 2012. Available at Amazon.com.

Joe Corey is the writer and director of "Danger! Health Films" currently streaming on Night Flight and Amazon Prime. He's the author of "The Seven Secrets of Great Walmart People Greeters." This is the last how to get a job book you'll ever need. He was Associate Producer of the documentary "Moving Midway." He's worked as local crew on several reality shows including Candid Camera, American's Most Wanted, Extreme Makeover Home Edition and ESPN's Gaters. He's been featured on The Today Show and CBS's 48 Hours. Dom DeLuise once said, "Joe, you look like an axe murderer." He was in charge of research and programming at the Moving Image Archive.