X-Men: The Wedding Special
Writers: Chris Claremont, Marc Guggenheim, Kelly Thompson
Artist: Todd Nauck, Greg Land, Marika Cresta
Colors: Rachelle Rosenberg, Jason Keith, Federico Blee
Publisher: Marvel Comics
A review by Greg Brothers
In just a few short weeks the wedding of the year is coming. Long-time off again on-again couple Kitty Pryde and Colossus are getting married. Of course, before we get to the big day both of them need to celebrate with friends. And of course, at least one of them will get cold feet.
X-Men: The Wedding Special is made up of three shorter stories. The first one focuses on Kitty as she reflects back on her life and career before during and at times without the X-Men. The second story focuses on Colossus and several of the male X-Men heading out to Las Vegas for his bachelor party. The issue wraps up as Kitty and several X-ladies head out for a night of drinking and karaoke.
While each of the stories have a different creative team, all of the teams have history with writing the X-Men. Because of that even though each story is different they all feel as if they are truly X-Men stories. Claremont’s story relies heavily on the X-Men mythos as Kitty reflects on everything she has done as the big day comes closer. It is a good reminder of what she has been through. The only question I had coming out of it is where Lockheed has been since he shows up here but hasn’t been in the books. The Bachelor and Bachelorette party stories fall perfectly into the classic family story of the X-Men. These are people who not only work as a team but live together and often date each other. Of course, with both stories things get a little sideways and lead to a confrontation that is quickly dispatched to continue the celebrations.
The art within X-Men: The Wedding Special fits with the classic X-Men stories and issues. Just like the writers, many of the artists on the special have experience with the X-Men. The colors are bright and vibrant. There are a few panels in Todd Naucks art that feel off. The younger days on Kitty are presented a bit to cartoonish for my liking, but outside of the few panels there are not issues.
Verdict:
If you are a fan of the X-Men, then X-Men: The Wedding Special is a MUST OWN. The stories harken back to the classic X-Men tales where serious arc is supplemented with stories that remind us just how close these characters are. I found myself smiling and nodding along with each of the stories.
