Generation Next Issue #1 (Age of Apocalypse part 6)

 Generation Next  Issue #1 Age of Apocalypse

Written by Scott Lobdell

Art by Chris Bachalo

Inks Mark Buckingham

Colors by Steve Buccellato/Electric Crayon

During the Age of Apocalypse alternate timeline  the Generation X title became Generation Next. In the Original Timeline Generation X was the next Mutant team for the new Gen Xer's. A cast of Mutants for the next generation of kids. They are students at the New Xavier School for Gifted Students. Taught by Sean Cassidy and Emma Frost.

Now that the world has been turned upside down by Apocalypse and his ruling party the next generation of students are being taught by Kitty Pryde and Piotr Rasputin; Also known as Shadowcat and Colossus. 

Story starts off in an action scene with a fully formed Chamber, Jonothan Starsmore running from an attack. Blasts flying left and right around him. We see Chamber use his mutant power by blasting a stone mace flying right at his chest.

With his expositions and his ability to palaver with a computer screen we learn that he is taking a test to become a new X-men. He is then jumped by a rather attractive red head who has the hot's for him. One Paige Guthrie, aka Husk. 

After a quick dialogue and kissy face the two are interrupted by the newest member of their group. Mondo. A rather brash and angry man who is tired of hiding in the exercise and just wanted to end it.  Of course Chamber teaches the young man the error of his ways and slams him with a Psionic Blast. 

As the three have survived the exercise they are confronted with their teacher Colossus. Colossus has been literally beating the thought into these kids that they need to be ruthless killers to survive in this world. Chamber makes a poor attempt to prove Colossus wrong and is about to learn another

 lesson when Husk drops in to lend a hand.

She attempts to dispatch Colossus with some acid that she morphed into but is met with resistance from their other teacher, Shadowcat.  Who oddly enough is a real bitch and doesn't hold back physically or verbally. Definitely a lot of influence from her time spent with Wolverine.  She even has a set of robot claws she uses on Husk. 

The next few panels we see that Shadowcat has Husk down and is read to deliver a final blow when Husk is saved by the Latin Mutant Skin.  Of course Shadowcat uses his power against him and sends him tumbling out of his hiding spot. Of course before the team can sustain any further damage during there training/death match the timer goes off. Thus ending their "Lesson". 

Of course some angers are still hot at the time of the bell and a few members are still fighting when they are suddenly stopped by Magneto.  Thus bringing us to a scene change with our story. 

 

Next we see Magneto , Colossus, and Shadowcat with in the confines of there Colorado home base. As they discuss the issue that brought Magneto out to Colorado. The possible truth to Bishops claims.  Magneto is assigning Generation Next to track down a person or Device that can travel through time to  try and correct the killing of Charles Xavier. 

Magneto then asks the computer of any possible mutants that have the ability to time travel. Of course she finds a few, but none that have survived. Then the computer spots Illyana Rasputin, Colossus sister. Thus revealing that this next issue is about a rescue, and some possible time travel. 

This story is rather interesting but is just a jump on point. The only action in the book is the battle sequence with the students and teachers. Yes we get some world building and character building, but it isn't until the last few pages do we get to the meat and potatoes of the story. I think that the story could have been a little less stretched out. Although the reveal of Illyana was great. 

The art for this book is a clear continuation of their Generation X comic. Chris Bachalo's work really shines with this story. His rendering of line work gives a gritty feeling to the story.  His level of detail with the characters and his ability to not use overall white borders is a great view on the eyes. His style always has the same feel as Sam Keith to me. 


All in all I would give this book a 7 out of 10.  A little drawn out but worth the read just to see Colossus and crew in a darker version of themselves.