New Mutants #25
Magik makes a deal with Madelyne Pryor in New Mutants #25, by writer Vita Ayala, artists Rod Reis and Jan Duursema, colorist Ruth Redmond, and letterer Travis Lanham. Ayala and company take this story in an unexpected direction with this issue, and it works wonderfully.
In Limbo, someone gives S'ym a potion that allows him to manifest a special weapon. On Krakoa, Magik, Wolfsbane, and Mirage discuss Magik's decision to cede Limbo to Madelyne Pryor when Mads shows up. The four of them go to Limbo, where the deal between Magik and Pryor is made. Just as it's signed, S'ym shows up with a legion of demons and strikes a stunning blow against Magik. The four mutants try to escape to Krakoa but find themselves in Limbo. In a flashback story, Illyanna sneaks into Belasco's library to read books. She's told to come to the master by the Cat, that world's version of Kate Pryde, and goes with her. After she leaves the library, a goblin sneaks in and continues to write in the book that Illyanna was reading.
Ayala has made this book into one of the best-written X books on the market, and this story keeps that up. If anyone guessed that Magik was willingly going to cede Limbo to Madelyne Pryor, they deserve a medal. It's an exciting decision; giving Pryor power over Limbo could lead to disaster. Combine that with the flashback and mysterious figure giving S'ym the means to defeat Magik, and the whole thing seems like a plot by Pryor.
However, that would be too easy, and Ayala is too good of a writer for that. Pryor is in the same straits as the three mutants throughout; of course, that makes sense if it's her scheme. However, it's hard to see how the whole thing will benefit her. She already has power over Limbo, so sending in a demon legion wouldn't be prudent. The mystery may play into what's going on in the flashback, an intriguing look into Magik's past that connects to the main story through the books she's reading. It all works together to make a tantalizing chapter in this new story.
The art in this book is beautiful, both in the main story and the ending flashback. Reis is in rare form. The action pages are gorgeous and wonderfully laid out. It's hard to say which is better; they're both great for different reasons. His character acting is on point throughout, his figure work is beautiful, and the colors are lovely. Duursema and Redmond's section captures a retro feel, looking like a throwback to the '80s. Duursema's thin linework looks amazing, and Redmond uses an understated color palette that really nails the retro feel.
New Mutants #25 is yet another stellar issue of one of the X-Men line's standout books. Ayala's writing is never anything short of brilliant; they're one of the best working right now, and this issue gives another example of why. It's action-packed and dripping with character, with events and an ending that makes readers beg for more. The art fits the script wonderfully. Reis is in rare form on this issue, and Duursema and Redmond nail the flashback. This issue is yet another triumph from a book that has been full of them.
