Exiles #3

Jeff Parker does good work. Exiles is still chugging along, and the last chapter of the opening arc ends with some nice in-character revelations and a bit more of a tour of the world where Magneto united the mutants. Parker doesn't have time to do a lot with the mutant guest-stars, but he does a nice job with the line or two that most of the minor characters get to play with. It's fun seeing the guests handled well, but the high point of the book is how quickly the characterization of the cast is coming into focus. Blink is obviously the same one we know from previous Exiles series, and it's great seeing her try to play dumb to fit in. Beast and Black Panther are turning into a nice comedic duo, and Forge makes a great straight-man and leader. That surprised me, that Forge may end up being a better team leader than Blink, it's a neat twist. Scarlet Witch and Polaris seem to be the two most effective team-members, they take control of each situation they find themselves in. I'm befuddled (like Blink) that the tallus moved the team with their goals unfinished, but man it was great seeing the team just move along not sweating it. I never would have expected I'd like this title so much, but it is darn fun.

Casey Jones does a great job re-creating classic mutant costumes in the alternate world. I was impressed by his Phoenix and White Queen especially, with Phoenix looking awesome. Havok showed up just long enough to make me miss his old costume. When will someone put him in a retro-suit with the funky headgear?

Good