‘Alpha Flight: Waxing Poetic’ review
By Brittney MacDonald, Contributor
4/5
Alpha Flight is a graphic novel series that follows the adventures of the Canadian branch of the X-Men. This series is definitely a source of Canadian pride.
It boasts such notable credentials as producing the first openly gay superhero, Northstar, who was the subject of controversy in recent years when he married his same-sex partner in Marvel’s open endorsement of marriage equality.
The series, now rebooted by Scott Lobdell, has some great stories, but Alpha Flight: Waxing Poetic is a transitional story and not a stand-alone title.
The plot is a continuation of the first volume in the series, Alpha Flight: You Gotta Be Kiddin’ Me, where the seemingly sudden appearance of the old Alpha Flight members as they looked 30 years ago presents a mystery.
As Shaman and Nemesis work magic to fix the apparently disrupted timeline of the universe, the team must defeat Japanese villains and cyborgs, and aid such Marvel classics as The Avengers, the X-Men and the Fantastic Four, all in very short, episodic battles.
The book is the conclusion of this particular story but serves as a prologue for the next story in the Alpha Flight chronicles, Omega Flight. Because of this, many points of interest are left open so they can be concluded in later issues of the new title.
The art is done by Clayton Henry and Dave Ross, who produce a style that succeeds in its depiction of female anatomy but leaves some of the male characters appearing juvenile in their expression and facial features.
Alpha Flight: Waxing Poetic is a worthy title for fans of the series or genre but definitely not for a quick stand-alone read.
