They represented the next stage of human evolution.
In the ’90s, they developed into the big-muscled, gunslinging heroes typical of that era.
Then the X-Men stopped evolving.
Their movies paled besidethe world-conquering blockbusters of the Marvel Cinematic Universe; their comics relied on time-hopping gimmicks.
EnterJonathan Hickmanand his mutant revolution.
In an age of superhero glut, Hickman has distinguished himself with structural innovation.
TheHouse of Xhalf marks a new beginning for Marvel’s mutants.
Thus, she knows it’s time for change.
It’s not just the X-Men who are changing, it’s the very structure of their comics.
This new take on old characters cuts through the mass of overabundant pop culture.
As new issues came out each week, fans congregated on social media to share theories and insights.
The excitement of unraveling those mysteries is still intact for anyone reading them in collected form.
Knowledge of that hate can destroy a people’s spiritor lead to unprecedented solidarity.
And that can inaugurate the biggest changes of all.
Welcome to the age of Krakoa.
Best artist: Matias Bergara,Coda(Boom!)
2019 was a great year for fantasy stories in comics.
True to its title,Codaplays like an epilogue to a classic fantasy epic likeLord of the Rings.
The breadth of his imagination and the humanity of his fantastical characters astound from one page to the next.
Best new series:Bitter Root(Image)
Bitter Rootunderstands the destructive power of racism.
However, the book doesn’t just stop there.
It also explores how the trauma of racism can have similarly disastrous consequences on victims, too.
Even better, the shocking cliffhanger ending indicates there’s a lot more excitement to come.
Welcome back, kids.
But as tensions start to flare, Ossio’s colors really light up the place.
In particular, Jaimes nails the internet-fueled ennui of modern youth.
Just look at his eventful year in the pages of DC Comics alone.
The Boy Scout helpedreintroduce the Legion of Super-HeroesinSuperman#15.
(There were some lows, though, like Superman’s confrontation with Doctor Manhattan inDoomsday Clock).
Basically, the Man of Tomorrow’s time is now.
