New Mutants #30
The New Mutants get together for their anniversary and reminisce about the old days in New Mutants #30, by writers Vita Ayala and Alyssa Wong, artists Alex Lins, Emma Kubert, Jason Loo, Justin Mason, and Geoff Shaw, inker Roberto Poggi, colorists Antonio Fabela, Bryan Valenza, and Nolan Woodard, and letterer Travis Lanham. This is a fun little anniversary issue.
Sunspot throws an anniversary party for her friends, which is the framing device for what is basically an anthology issue. Moonstar tells a story about why she and Sunspot are such great friends, Karma and Shatterstar tell a story about going to a queer music festival to discover themselves, and Wolfsbane and Warlock tell the story of why they give each other presents every year. The party ends on the best beach on Arrako. Meanwhile, on Krakoa, Deadpool watches over the New Mutants' students allowing them to fight each other. Magik and several other members show up, and she knocks him through a gate, threatening him if he ever comes back to Krakoa. However, Deadpool has a new opportunity.
This is Vita Ayala's final issue, which is actually pretty depressing. Ayala's New Mutants has been among the most dependable books since they joined the title. When Duggan's X-Men was disappointing, this book was there. When X-Force was jumping around a bit too much, there was New Mutants. When Tini Howard was doing whatever she was doing, New Mutants could be depended on. Losing Ayala on this book is a much bigger blow to the X-Men titles than anyone imagines.
As far as final stories go, this is just a love letter to New Mutants history. It's not as deep as the other Ayala-written tales, but it shows just how great the team is and the friendships it's forged. Much like Ayala's past issues, certain characters get no spotlight whatsoever, like Warpath, and other significant ones are just background characters, like Cannonball or Doug Ramsey. However, it's still perfect for any fan of the team.
The art is okay. Lins does the framing device, and the art is fine, but it's one of those times where it's in the eye of the beholder whether they like it or not. It's reminiscent of Riley Rossmo's art, which is pretty polarizing. Kubert's is a lot of fun; there's an energy and heart to these pages that really comes through. Loo's art is pretty good and has an indie sensibility that works with the story. Shaw's art is the best, but that makes a lot of sense because Geoff Shaw is Geoff Shaw.
New Mutants #30 is a good comic for fans of the team. Sadly, Ayala is leaving, but they go on a high note. It's a fun comic, and anyone who loves the team should give it a read.
