X-Lapsed, Episode 154 – New Mutants #15 (2021)
X-Lapsed, Episode One Hundred Fifty-Four
New Mutants (vol.4) #15 (March, 2021)
“The Kids Ain’t Alright”
Writer – Vita Ayala
Art – Rod Reis
Letters – VC’s Travis Lanham
Design – Tom Muller
Head of X – Hickman
Edits – Bissa, White, Cebulski
Cover Price: $3.99
On-Sale: January 27, 2021
The new direction for New Mutants is ramping up… causing your humble host to ask so many questions! This has unexpectedly become one of the “meatiest” books in the line – prompting quite a bit of discussion and analysis.
If earlier New Mutants arcs caused you to drop the title – I’d say it’s definitely safe to come back home!
—
@acecomics / @cosmictmill / weirdcomicshistory@gmail.com
I have no doubt that you are right in thinking that the various groups of kids are deliberately trying to keep Gabby safe during the fights. They were all there last issue when she was wondering if she would be resurrected. The likelihood that she wouldn't be resurrected is going to colour how the other kids view her. It is also possible that they might see her as not belonging. She is different to them and Warpath has reminded everyone that she was created as a weapon by humans. Back in the Claremont run the sheer presence of the Shadow King increased conflict. Maybe everyone is keeping Gabby at arm's length as he is increasing their suspicions.
I have no doubt that the Shadow King is intended to be separate from Amahl Farouk. Every time he appears there is a kind of haze around him. I have read it to be an image of who he really is, but the other characters just see Amahl. I can see Xavier resurrecting Amahl as someone who had their life destroyed by the Shadow King without necessarily realising that the Shadow King could possess him again.
It's odd that Cosmar would approach Dani to face her in the Crucible when Dani had already told her that she considered her perfect in the previous issue. It must be the Shadow King influencing Cosmar to approach the person who will definitely say no. He wants her to feel alienated.
The reintroduction of Tier and the idea of resurrection for him is something I hadn't thought of. I guess I'd considered him a magical creature rather than a mutant. Maybe I'm misremembering. It does seem odd that Rahne is communicating with Elixir rather than Xavier or Magneto who have both been mentors to her.
Overall though I'm loving the new direction for New Mutants. I love the fact that Vita Ayala is giving moments to so many characters whilst also advancing their overall plot. I recently recorded a podcast about the original New Mutants 37 which was the first issue of New Mutants I ever read and have reread a lot of the old series. I feel like Vita Ayala has captured the tone of the original series really well. It was often dark but always very human. I'm really enjoying this take.