Connect with us
X-Men Blue #30 review

Comic Books

X-Men Blue #30 review

“The Search for Jimmy Hudson” concludes on a frustrating note.

You clicked on this review to gain some critical insight into whether you should purchase X-Men Blue #30, but I’m going to talk about myself for a second. Because when I’m not writing about X-Men comics, I’m often editing other people’s writing. And when you edit for so long, you tend to look at writing a little differently… you see where you can cut and rearrange. After finishing the latest issue of X-Men Blue, all I could think about was how I’d take a red pen to writer Cullen Bunn’s latest offering and transform an average book into something fantastic.

If you read my review of X-Men Blue #29, you know I wasn’t the biggest fan of the first part of “The Search for Jimmy Hudson,” mostly because the son of Ultimate Wolverine is now known as Poison (because Venomized is the nightmare from which I cannot wake). Thankfully, we’ve reached this story’s conclusion, with Daken promising to end his sort-of brother’s life.

Listen to the latest episode of our weekly comics podcast!

Hey, if it means ridding the Marvel Universe of the last trace of Venomized, I’m all for it, Daken!

So, we join Daken in the mood for murder, and then we spend the bulk of the issue watching him and Jimmy battle to the death… only neither of them ever dies! This is what I would edit down, because really, this issue just drags when you don’t really care which of Logan’s offspring wins this battle. (Also, we already saw Jean overcome her Poison phase, so we know it’s not impossible.) It’s only after the battle concludes that things get interesting for the X-Men. As I was reading this comic’s final pages, I suddenly found myself excited again–only we’d run out of room!X-Men Blue #30 reviewAnd this, right here, is the problem with some of these twice-monthly comics. Sometimes, it can seem like the current issue is nothing more than setup for the next issue. Honestly, it’s something I think about a lot when I read Tom King’s Batman. Look, you can ship a title twice a month, three times a month or even weekly, but if I’m forking over $3.99 for an issue, I expect a full story that leaves me satisfied. Comics that are mostly action are fine padding in a trade paperback, but leave me feeling unfulfilled in single-issue form.

With so much action, artist Nathan Stockman’s illustrations have to do the heavy lifting. The images are colorful with a more cartoony style, which isn’t exactly my cup of tea, but suits this all-ages-style story well. I know… an issue about two killers trying to kill each other isn’t exactly all-ages fare. But Poison just looks like he stepped out of a Saturday morning cartoon.

As a Cyclops fan, maybe what really rubbed me the wrong way about this issue was the return to the never-ending Cyclops-Jean Grey-whoever love triangle of the month. I really felt that after months (was it months? It seemed like months) of Scott pining over the Poisonized Jean in Venomized, they’d finally resolve their will-they-or-won’t-they drama. But look out–teen Cyke’s jealous all over again.

Can we bring back adult Cyclops now?

With this Jimmy-focused two-parter, I feel like X-Men Blue has taken a step backward again, which is a shame following the stronger “Cry Havok” arc. But, like I said earlier, the final pages of this issue definitely has me excited for what comes next. With this series’ end imminent, let’s hope Bunn and his artistic collaborators deliver the strong finish X-Men Blue deserves.

X-Men Blue #30 review
X-Men Blue #30
Is it good?
The final pages of this issue will get you excited for X-Men Blue's big conclusion, but they're not enough to save it from overall mediocrity.
The final pages are great and look to be setting up quite the showdown in the issues ahead.
This two-parter can't shake its Saturday-morning-cartoon feel.
This issue is pretty much one big fight and I didn't care who won.
Cyclops... grow up.
6
Average

Join the AIPT Patreon

Want to take our relationship to the next level? Become a patron today to gain access to exclusive perks, such as:

  • ❌ Remove all ads on the website
  • 💬 Join our Discord community, where we chat about the latest news and releases from everything we cover on AIPT
  • 📗 Access to our monthly book club
  • 📦 Get a physical trade paperback shipped to you every month
  • 💥 And more!
Sign up today
Comments

In Case You Missed It

WWE SmackDown preview, full card: March 1, 2024 WWE SmackDown preview, full card: March 1, 2024

WWE SmackDown preview, full card: March 1, 2024

Pro Wrestling

AEW Dynamite preview, full card: February 28, 2024 AEW Dynamite preview, full card: February 28, 2024

AEW Dynamite preview, full card: February 28, 2024

Pro Wrestling

AEW Rampage preview, full card: March 1, 2024 AEW Rampage preview, full card: March 1, 2024

AEW Rampage preview, full card: March 1, 2024

Pro Wrestling

Marvel unveils the new villains Bloodcoven appearing in 'Blood Hunt' Marvel unveils the new villains Bloodcoven appearing in 'Blood Hunt'

Marvel unveils the new villains Bloodcoven appearing in ‘Blood Hunt’

Comic Books

Connect
Newsletter Signup