Giant-Size X-Men: Thunderbird #1

Thunderbirdmakes me want to read more of this team taking on this character in the future. The characters they crafted in this story are wonderful and the issue itself is beautifully heartwarming. I can't wait to read more of John Proudstar inX-Mencomics in the future. This issue is a perfect opportunity to redefine John Proudstar and introduce a whole slew of new readers to the character they might have never met or forgotten about. As far as X-Men comics go, this was easily one of the most touching issues in a long time. Read Full Review

Giant-Size X-Men: Thunderbird is the real deal. Orlando helps Rose, a wrestler turned comic writer for this issue and a Native herself, turn in an impressive script about one mans quest to find himself and his people, the latter literally. The art perfectly compliments the script, with the team nailing both the action and the character work. Thunderbirds return bodes well for the future, and this is easily one of the most exciting and well-done issues of the nascent Destiny Of X era. Read Full Review

A longtime cipher gets his due. This story has needed to be told for a long time, and gives one of the X-Men's most tragic characters his much needed time in the spotlight. Read Full Review

Cutler delivers some awesome art in the issue. The style is great, the action is intense and the expression filled characters are beautifully detailed. Read Full Review

A fantastic issue that goes above and beyond. Read Full Review

Giant-Size X-Men: Thunderbird #1 is the kind of story that has been conspicuously rare in the X-Men canon. It treats its title character with respect for all aspects of his identity and the intersectionality where they meet and uses this base to deliver a deep and action-packed issue. Read Full Review

Giant-Size X-Men: Thunderbird #1brings one of the classic X-Men back to the land of the living, with indigenous creators helping shape his new path in life. This is the perfect example of what the Giant-Size X-Men books should be going forward, and thankfully this isn't the end of Thunderbird's journey since he's set to play a considerable role in X-Men Red. Read Full Review

This issue is excellent and we can only hope for more of this exceptional, original and fun story-telling going forward. Read Full Review

A thoughtful issue concerned with themes of legacy and identity while still forging a new path for this character, all backed by Indigenous creators and strong new design choices. Read Full Review

A bold and thoughtful issue, Giant-Size X-Men: Thunderbird #1 is a risk that pays off. Read Full Review

A letter written by John to Krakoas resident costumer extraordinaire, Jumbo Carnation, explains what he wants for his updated look and why its important to him; its a satisfying way for Orlando and Rose to have John speak for himself outside of brief narration boxes and dialogue. Words and pictures obviously have to work in tandem with one another for a successful product in this medium, and Thunderbird exemplifies that pretty well all-around. Read Full Review

Bits and PiecesGiant-Size X-Men: Thunderbird #1 is a serviceable return for the legendary mutant. The paper-thin resurrection conflict takes a backseat to a generic revenge fantasy about Indigenous people striking back against government injustice. There's nothing wrong with telling that type of story, but the creators tried so hard to make Thunderbird fit in, that they forgot to make him stand out. Read Full Review

Giant-Size X-Men: Thunderbird #1 at its base level works. The art is well drawn and colored, and the writing offers a lot of great ideas. I just think the execution could have been a little tighter. Read Full Review

While this issue serves to remind readers of why Thunderbird's return is notable, it's their upcoming appearances in X-Men Red that stoke the most excitement for realizing that potential. Read Full Review

cincyfan

May 07, 2022

There is just so much I love about this book. I love that they brought back thunderbird, I love the new costume, I love that it was designed by a member of the qalipu mi'kmaq first nation, and I gotta say I absolutely love grandma lozen!

CrazyforRAMU

Nov 22, 2022

The plot's pretty thin to be the main attraction. The art, while solid, isn't memorable enough to be the main draw, either. But the character work is excellent and the dialogue really pushed my "hoorah" buttons; I had a blast reading this. I also like that the question "Is the idea of the government selling minority citizens as lab rats believable?" is a great privilege check. I initially thought it was far-fetched, but I'm very white. And my second thought was of the Tuskegee Experiment, and I realized my first thought was very much mistaken.

maljoss

May 07, 2022

This comic isn't awful, but it really isn't good. The idea that John is going home after being dead for years is interesting, but barely got explored. The conflict was bizarre - someone sold the x-genes of the mutants on the reservation to the government? Like that's a thing? And the cops are rounding up the elders? I just couldn't buy into it. The script was uneven, so-so in places, and clunky and odd in others. Having John call one of the cops "brah", for example. Unless I'm missing something, it's verbal fad he would have been unaware of, being dead for so long. It's picky, but stuff like that pulls me out of the story. The comic was fast-paced. We go from arrival to trashing a police station, to fighting a werewolf in 10 seconds. It' s a one-shot, there's no room for decompressed storytelling and they wanted to cover a lot of ground, so I appreciate them getting down to business. It's consistent with John Proudstar's impetuous personality. For the most part, the art didn't click with me. I thought the opening sequence with John arriving in town was quite good. Solid composition and interesting page layout. Once the action started, the figures seemed stiff, and the panels felt very static. The artist did well with facial expressions, particularly in close-up panels, like after John got shot "Bullets?", that was great. To me, it felt like he was out of his depth with the fight scenes. Not terrible, but it just didn't fit with what I look for in an X-book. I like the new costume design, but I have a question; why does John have a holster on his hip if he doesn't have a gun. It's obviously intended to be a holster, not just a random pouch. Why? It was nice to see John portrayed as more than the one-note bruiser he was in Uncanny X-men. Since he died on his second mission, we never got to see much of him. Back then he was angry, and easily manipulated by implying that he was scared. Treating Jimmy as the "little brother" was odd to me, since, Jimmy is older and more experienced now than John ever was. If anything those roles feel like they should be reversed. John would be a great character to do more solo stories with. He's not mired in 40 years of X continuity, and has a lot of potential. I really with this comic had been better. more

BDG Comics

May 05, 2022

First half of the book was ACAB propaganda with a nice touch of "the white man is the root of all my problems" Victimhood. The second half of the book was actually pretty great with some nice, touching character beats with Warpath meeting his grandma for the first time since he was just a baby.

+ Like • Comments (6)

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Onomatopoeia - May 6, 2022

To be fair, ACAB. Also, when you look at the Native American living conditions on reservations, it's not hard to know who to point the finger at.

The Brave and the Bald - May 7, 2022

1) How does someone read so much X-Men and still find time in their lives to get outraged at every little political element? 2) This reviewer spams links to his blog quite often. I guess he's desperate to get recognized as a "professional" reviewer. Given the standards for the "professional" reviews on this site, that's pretty sad.

Van Richten - May 8, 2022

Sounds like this sad puppy from the Bounding Into Diversity In Comics crew has a lot of white tears but not so much historical knowledge. I bet you used Bill the Butcher as a profile pic at one point in your life hahaha

BDG Comics - May 8, 2022

What part of my review came off as me being outraged? Just because you don't agree with what I said doesn't mean I'm outraged lol

The Brave and the Bald - May 8, 2022

Please calm down, sir. You're letting emotions override rational thought.

Psycamorean - May 8, 2022

Can I join your blog?

KFuqua

May 13, 2022

Wow... this was awful. Bad story, awful artwork and just an absolutely terrible and embarrassing new costume for Thunderbird. I hate the I paid money for this garbage.