REVIEW: ‘Immortal X-Men,’ Issue #7

Immortal X-Men #7 is written by Kieron Gillen, illustrated by Lucas Wernerck, colored by David Curiel, and lettered by VC’s Clayton Cowles. It’s published by Marvel Comics. “Red in Blue” chronicles the events of A.X.E.: Judgment Day #5 from Nightcrawler’s point of view. With the world teetering on the brink of chaos, Kurt Wagner resolves to live up to his new religion, the Spark. But in order to do so, he’ll have to push his teleportation to its limit – and somehow get everyone else on his page.

For an event that’s tested its characters’ faith, it only seems fitting that Nightcrawler would play a huge role in things. After all, his time on Krakoa has had him questioning everything from mutantkind’s new lease on life to keeping the peace in paradise. And it’s his faith that keeps him going, even in the darkest hours. This issue shows how far Kurt is willing to go to save the world; he breaks the rules of Krakoan resurrection in order to bring Captain America back to life, and he even goes to the anti-mutant organization Orchis for help. Usually, this type of strategy would be unthinkable, but as Kurt rightfully points out, it’s the end of the world, and that means trying something new.

Once again, I have to commend Gillen on his writing skills. Not only is he scripting the main Judgment Day series, but he’s handling Immortal X-Men in addition to the multiple miniseries and one-shots that tie into that event. It’s a workload that would weigh heavily on even the most skilled of writers, but Gillen handles it with ease. He also manages to continue to find new angles on the story, mainly by making them character pieces first and foremost. It’s a lesson many writers could learn when scripting events of this nature.

It also helps that Gillen has Wernerck on his side. The duo gets extremely creative with Nightcrawler’s teleportation powers, showing him teleporting through the air and carrying people with him. Destiny learns firsthand how terrifying this is, as a series of panels features Nightcrawler teleporting the blind seer through the air. He also utilizes it offensively, putting a foe like Nimrod on the edge. And that’s not even getting into the cool new costume Nightcrawler is rocking; it consists of a long red coat over his traditional black and white X-Men uniform, and he’s even grown a beard. It’s a great way to mix both the swashbuckling and priest-like elements of his character into one costume.

Curiel’s colors also provide a look into the mind of the book’s protagonist. At first, he adopts the same foreboding darkness that’s permeated the entirety of the Judgment Day storyline. But as time passes, the colors start to grow lighter, as if representing hope. And the most prominent color? It’s the purplish smoke that accompanies Nightcrawler’s teleportation – as well as the big “BAMF” sounds, courtesy of Cowles. In using this shift, Curiel gives the reader a sliver of hope in a story that has seemed hopeless.

Immortal X-Men #7 is a great reminder of why Nightcrawler is a fan-favorite X-Men character, as he comes up with a plan to save the Earth. As Judgment Day nears its end, this comic serves as a reminder that even in the face of seemingly impossible odds, it helps to have something to believe in.

Immortal X-Men #7 is available wherever comics are sold.