By Micheal Foulk — Writer Steve Orlando and artists Eleonora Carlini and Matt Milla take the new Marauder crew from the high seas of planet earth to the far reaches of Shi’ar space in Marauders #1.

To say I’ve been excited for Volume 2 of Marauders is a massive understatement. The Marauders series was an early favorite of mine during the Dawn Of X era, and Steve Orlando has done amazing work over at DC Comics with characters like Midnighter and Martian Manhunter. 

This first issue opens in Jackson Hole, Wyoming during a conflict between the human military and Fever Pitch, a mutant whose body is composed of *organic flame.* The human military is preparing to kill Fever Pitch utilizing tech provided by bureaucratic bigot Henry Geirich when Captain Kate Pryde and her Marauders intervene. This scene is similar to something that happened way back in 2009 during the lead up to Messiah War in Craig Kyle and Chris Yost’s run on X-Force Vol 3. In the earlier instance, X-Force was too late and a Legacy virus overloaded Fever Pitch exploded, killing himself and hundreds of people. This time, the crisis was averted.

Seeing the Marauders make good on their mission to rescue mutants and prevent catastrophe is awesome. This short scene that opens the issue sets the tone and pace before the action shifts a few days into the future to deal with a dangling plot thread introduced in Marauders Annual #1.

Following a map found in an ancient mysterium puzzle box, Kate Pryde explores a secret archipelago (hidden from Krakoa itself) and finds herself face to face with Cassandra Nova, an immortal parasitic psychic entity and Charles Xavier’s sister. Kinda. It’s complicated. Read Grant Morrison’s New X-Men run to get her full background. 

Orlando’s writing is spot on in his characterization of Cassandra, she manages to straddle the line between terrifying and alluring. I find myself hearing all of her speeches in Eartha Kitt’s Ysma voice from The Emperor’s New Groove. Nova is found covered in purplish “blood” cutting “organs'' out of the Krakoan soil and waxing philosophically about being able to feel guilt for the first time in her life after an encounter with Jean Grey in the pages of Tom Taylor’s X-Men Red restored her empathy. Cassandra’s childlike curiosity towards her new ability to feel complex emotions is extremely creepy and very exciting. 

Eleonora Carlini’s art is gorgeously chunky and very dynamic. Characters bodies are rendered in angular poses with squared shoulders and lips, arms and legs are sharply tapered to narrow wrists and ankles. Facial expressions are dramatic and highly stylized.  The somewhat cartoonish art might take some readers time to get used to but I personally found it to be a very refreshing departure from typical Marvel house style. Matt Milla’s colors are vibrant and consistent, while the shadow rendering can be a bit uneven. This is perhaps because I don’t often see artists play with light quite as much as Carlini and Milla, so I’m intrigued to see how they utilize dynamic lighting in future issues. 

The data pages in this issue are used well to expand on the conflicted perspectives of Krakoans in regard to Cassandra Nova’s rehabilitation and mutant status. Orlando writes every character voice as distinct and specific while also introducing inventive new applications for mutant powers. The relationship between Aurora, Daken, and Somnus is honestly really revolutionary. In a universe full of bickering exes and toxic couples, these three are shown to have a healthy, progressive, and cute rapport. Having queer writers on books with queer characters makes a huge difference. 

Touching on the primary conflict of the issue while trying to avoid spoilers, the mystery of “the first blood spilled” hooked me immediately. I’m typically wary of storylines that deal with ancient history (cough Jason Aaron’s Avengers cough) because they can often be handled clumsily and inadvertently invalidate the weight of modern continuity. Based on what I’ve read so far, I have full trust in Orlando and co's ability to craft a satisfying narrative. Cassandra Nova is bound to create chaos aboard the Marauders and I can’t wait to find out what secret truths the crew will discover hidden in the Shi’ar empire. 

Plus, anything that prominently features bondage space viking Erik The Red is bound to be a good time. Am I a King Crimson freak? Yes, yes I am. 

Overall: A beautifully rendered relaunch full of intrigue, character depth, and laugh out loud moments. Orlando and company are a welcome addition to the Destiny of X era. 9/10

REVIEW: Marauders #1

Marauders #1
Writer: Steve Orlando
Artist: Eleonora Carlini
Colorist: Matt Milla
Letterer: Ariana Maher
Publisher: Marvel Comics
NEW TEAM! NEW VILLAINS! NEW MYSTERIES!
Captain Pryde and the Marauders are rededicating themselves to rescuing mutants, wherever they may be, and no matter how dangerous the odds against them are. But Captain Pryde's crew is not yet complete! Against her better judgment, Pryde comes face-to-face with the final Marauder: Cassandra Nova! One of the most infamous villains in mutant history might be the Marauders' only chance to unravel a mystery stretching two billion years into the past!
Price: $4.99
Buy It Here: Digital

Read more great writing about the X-Men! And read our review of X-Men Red #1!

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Micheal Foulk is a non-binary queer writer, comedian, and organizer thriving in Oakland, California. They are the co-host of I’m Not Busy — a weekly podcast with Vanessa Gonzalez — the co-creator of the LGBTQ+ storytelling show Greetings, from Queer Mountain and the curator of the film screening series Queer Film Theory 101, produced in collaboration with Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas. Their work has been published in Slate, Vice, Into, and TimeOut NY.

Micheal will make you a playlist if you ask nicely.