Marvel’s lesser-known science-based X-Team assembled in their own mini-series in the pages of “X-Club” #1-5. The title is an endlessly fascinating but overlooked Marvel Comics gem that is begging for an in-depth analysis. Author Simon Spurrier has had a fascinating career with interesting Marvel and DC titles on the fringe of both publisher’s slates. Prior to the “X-Club” debut artist Paul Davidson was a relative newcomer to Marvel in 2012. The “X-Club” is hardly ever front-and-center in the pages of the X-Men but there’s a solid chance that devoted X-Men readers are familiar with the team. The title’s protagonist, Doctor Nemesis has a fascinating comic book origin story spanning decades into Marvel’s history. There’s a ton of baggage in the individual characters and “X-Club” #1 doesn’t even serve as the proper debut of the team. Let’s put all that continuity to the side for a moment because all you need to know about “X-Club” prior to reading the mini-series is that “X-Club” is awesome.
Written by Simon Spurrier
Illustrated by Paul Davidson
Colored by Rachelle Rosenberg
Lettered by VC’s Cory Petit
At first “X-Club” seems simple enough. Marvel has intersected the X-Men and science to generate a team devoted to helping tech firm Stratocorp build an elevator going to space. The series makes a concerted effort to ground itself in the current time period of the X-Men which happens to be early on in the wake of ‘Schism.’ ‘Schism’ was a minor X-Men event that saw a fallout between Wolverine and Cyclops. “X-Club” is a team founded by Cyclops and helping the firm is in his interests. There’s a great scene early on in the series with Wolverine lamenting Scott’s public relations move. Outside of a few additional Marvel team members popping up throughout the series, “X-Club” largely exists on its own terms. The title pulls a roster of minor characters from Marvel continuity. Thankfully, author Simon Spurrier is able to utilize continuity but still make the title relatable. Right from the jump of the first issue, Spurrier shows that he has an excellent handle on the characterization of Doctor Nemesis.
It is a delight to see Nemesis threaten the kidneys of a reporter that is getting too close to him. Nemesis is incredibly self-aware and levels jokes directly toward the reader. Late into the first issue Nemesis smugly asks the audience if they know what is going on when mysterious sea creatures with strange powers bubble up to the surface. The first chapter is solid and has an amusing, ironically-charged final page. However, “X-Club” launches into greatness in the second issue when a status quo change for Dr. Nemesis is introduced. Spurrier reveals the ideas that Nemesis suppresses his deepest thoughts (incredibly often) in his conversations with others. The script flirts with absurd aquatic directions teased in the earlier issue and naturally transitions readers into a Danger-focused issue with ease.
Early on in the mini-series, it seems easy to spot some of the flaws in Davidson’s art. However, Davidson transitions smoothly into the strange visuals needed from Spurrier’s scripts into the later chapters of the story. It really helps that Davidson’s linework becomes more precise and that his characters are so expressive. When so many high concepts are flooding the page, readers never have to guess the emotions of characters thanks to the visuals of the title. Colorist Rachelle Rosenberg’s dynamic palette really adds a sense of place to the story. The plot threads between Danger and Nemesis feel different thanks to the colors alone. When the title bounces back to the Schism status quo the series switches to a more traditional set of colors.
Davidson’s art occasionally glosses over important details at crucial moments. There are moments when the facial details of Madison Jeffries, in particular, are too pronounced or exaggerated. It is fascinating to consider that Doctor Nemesis is wearing a face mask but is still able to convey so much emotion on the page. I also want to take an opportunity to point out that Nemesis is adhering to CDC guidelines before our pandemic broke out. “X-Club” is definitely ahead of its time! There are pages and pages of great expressions with this lead character who manages to steal nearly every issue he is in. For an obscure Marvel character, the lengthy history and gravitas that Nemesis brings to “X-Club” is admirable. I’m thrilled to see that Spurrier’s hilarious lines of dialogue are punctuated by the surreal, contorted expressions that Davidson captures in his pencils.
I think we’ve already established that Nemesis is great but the next best character in the series is Danger. Danger is really well fleshed out in this short series. Danger’s interactions with the full roster of cast members in “X-Club” is always a joy to read. Danger’s despondent and cold lines add a great tinge of humor and break up some of the snark from Nemesis incredibly well. Danger’s role in the title shifts and becomes more plot-centric as the series goes on. Thankfully, Spurrier’s scripts accommodate for the change in character. Also, Nemesis shifts his role as well which allows for Danger to step into his role as the mini-series goes on.
There are so many Marvel Comic books on store shelves. The publisher has explored so many ideas and facets of the X-Men over the past few decades. However, no title published since the inception of the X-Men has struck a chord quite like “X-Club.” There have been insane X-Men stories featuring X-Men but not the scientists who usually make up the background of the comic book page. I wish Marvel was able to realize the potential bursting from this series and hone in on the science-snark cultivated by Doctor Nemesis and his colleagues with more “X-Club” content. I hope the focus on Nemesis that we have seen in recent comic books like “Avengers” will bring these heroes back to the spotlight. Also, I think it is about time that Jonathan Hickman and company took full advantage of this team in the wake of ‘Dawn of X.’
