I picked Generation X as my Friday Rec this week. It ‘s an older series and isn’t readily available in trades but if you can find the initial run by Chris Bachalo and Scott Lobdell it is worth your time and money. Their initial run was filled with adventure, fun and off the wall oddball happenings. The entire series lasted 75 issues though and it’s an interesting ride till the end despite its decidedly darker vibe.
In the 90’s most of the X-Titles were pretty similar in concept. A team of mutants fighting other mutants and crossing over all the time occurred. Gen X though was a much diffe
rent beast. It was a coming of age tale of a group of mutant teens. It was a book about dealing with these huge changes and sticking with your friends through thick and thin. It was very light-hearted as well which stands in contrast with all the overly dark and action filled X-titles of that era. While I did enjoy those titles as well it was nice to read something a little lighter and fun.
It was a fun and light series. Well, until the end that is. If you look at the list of characters that starred in the title and then look at their whereabouts now you come to a pretty sad realization. What realization is that? Well here take a look at this:
Banshee – Dead
White Queen – Queen of mutants I suppose
Jubilee — Depowered/Then later given technology to regain new powers
Skyn — Dead (Chuck Austen killed him no less. Double burn.)
M — Member of X-Factor (still a bitch)
Chamber — Depowered then Apocalypsafied then got the same tech treatment as Jubes
Husk — Was involved in an illegal statutory rape relationship with Warren Worthington then disappeared off the radar of X-Titles (Angel/Archangel)
Synch — Dead
So out of eight characters three are dead, two depowered, one has been forgotten about and two lucky ducks are still in the limelight. So while this group was very fun and light hearted it ends on an extremely sour note for them.
Don’t let this stop you from picking this title up though because it is some of the most fun you’ll have reading an X-Title. I promise. Oh and Maggott appears for an issue! So that is a big plus for this series! Also you get Emplate who is now starring as the villain of X-Men: Legacy.
So I know I’m sending a mix message of light heartedness and dark outcomes. Seriously though check it out. It truly is a great ride, especially through the first 25 issues. Also, if you happen to get a chance to watch the FOX networks Generation X live action pilot do so cause it’s hilarious too. Though in a very, very bad way.
