Prisoner X (Marvel Comics)

Rating:
Summary: Not nearly at the level of other X-Men novels...
Review: Ann has a writing style that I found very annoying. She would build up to a big suspenseful fight scene, and then sum it all up too quickly with something like, "...and then Wolverine made quick work of about 20 people". All right, that's obviously an exageration, but seriously, Ann is great at character development and interaction, but she certainly knows how to leave the ACTION out of the interaction. Consequently, this book was a total bore, and I found myself wishing for the merciful end many times. Her thinly disguised liberal, political commentary on the state of prisons in our society, which is interjected every other chapter or so, is also unnecessary (i.e. if you want to campaign against our "dehumanizing" prisons, stick to writing non-fiction Ann). Save your money, pass on this one and buy the "Mutant Empire" trilogy or "Codename: Wolverine" both by Christopher Golden... he does a great job of capturing the essence of the x-men characters AND providing detailed, heart-stopping action along the way.

Rating:
Summary: Better writer than the genre allows
Review: Ann Nocenti, I remember her from the real heyday of the X-Men and the creation of Longshot that stands above all else in new character creation. I remember her from a Daredevil run that was right up there with Frank Miller's--the treatment of child abuse, slaughter houses, the ecology, etc.--excellent. So I picked up this book expecting to be treated like an adult by the writer and I wasn't disappointed. The prison system (and enslavement to enetertainment) as a whole within this country and others is approaching a thresh hold state that will perhaps not affect this generation but the next and the ones after that. And don't all of the real problems speak to what will happen to our children and theirs that we so callously ignore (though we will buy them a PlayStation)? The questions that Nocenti raises about what the prison system (I include mass enetertainment) means, what it does to people and how it ultimately is like a form of deadly entertainment. To put/pit the X Men into this scenario is one of what originally made them groundbreaking and truly a sight to behold. In many ways, legally the X Men are criminals--terrorists who flaunt the law for their own purposes and must remain resolutely good when true outlaw logic dictates that they kill the enemies who keep coming back for more. To get such a perspective on a genuine problem of today in such a simple genre book says a lot about the writer. It's worth the price of admission to be taught a little something, to learn to ask questions and have a concern about the world of today and tomorrow rather than demand that books fulfill the same opiate dreams that TV has so many addicted to. It's okay to learn a little something while being entertained. No, really.

Rating:
Summary: Better writer than the genre allows
Review: Ann Nocenti, I remember her from the real heyday of the X-Men and the creation of Longshot that stands above all else in new character creation. I remember her from a Daredevil run that was right up there with Frank Miller's--the treatment of child abuse, slaughter houses, the ecology, etc.--excellent. So I picked up this book expecting to be treated like an adult by the writer and I wasn't disappointed. The prison system (and enslavement to enetertainment) as a whole within this country and others is approaching a thresh hold state that will perhaps not affect this generation but the next and the ones after that. And don't all of the real problems speak to what will happen to our children and theirs that we so callously ignore (though we will buy them a PlayStation)? The questions that Nocenti raises about what the prison system (I include mass enetertainment) means, what it does to people and how it ultimately is like a form of deadly entertainment. To put/pit the X Men into this scenario is one of what originally made them groundbreaking and truly a sight to behold. In many ways, legally the X Men are criminals--terrorists who flaunt the law for their own purposes and must remain resolutely good when true outlaw logic dictates that they kill the enemies who keep coming back for more. To get such a perspective on a genuine problem of today in such a simple genre book says a lot about the writer. It's worth the price of admission to be taught a little something, to learn to ask questions and have a concern about the world of today and tomorrow rather than demand that books fulfill the same opiate dreams that TV has so many addicted to. It's okay to learn a little something while being entertained. No, really.

Rating:
Summary: Longshot rules!!!!
Review: By far one of the best X novels i've read in a long time. It was great to see Longshot back in action, though i was a little disappointed they never once mentioned Dazzler. I think Ann should write a follow-up to this novel...maybe end up dragging the X-men into the Revolution to help out Long and Dazz. Other than that little complaint i loved it, especially the whole Longshot/Rogue/Remy love triangle. Look forward to reading more X novels. oh by the way...Longshot could have taken Gambit out alot sooner....hehe

Rating:
Summary: not so good
Review: Hay there, have you ever read a book written by a seminist? NO? wel then you would get to go through the agony should you decide to buy this book. I do not know which X-men this author is writing about, but I am most certain they are not the X-men that I have come to know and love. Well you see through out the book the author can not help but to keep giving you the imperition that men are animals that are always after women and trying to suduce them? Also Cyclops is not with the team so Stom is leading the team. What a coincident! The botom line is this. I would not have minded the foolishness of the author if the story line was decent but that is more than wishful thinking when it comes to this book. Unless you are trying to complet your colection, do not waste your money and buy this bok.

Rating:
Summary: Prisoner X review
Review: I absolutely love this book! It is in my opinion the best of the X-men novels. My main reason for adoring the book is because i love Rogue and Gambit and absolutely love the storyline and characters featured. I think newbies to the X-men will also enjoy this book due to the brilliant characterisation of it's main lead's and also the links to real life issues. Go on read the book i'm sure you'll like it, if not then i'm sure it will still leave you with some idea's you may never have considered before!

Rating:
Summary: Prisoner X review
Review: I am avid X-Men fan. Considering that my other experiences to the Mojoverse all involved the X-Babies, I was expecting, basically, a comedy book, something to make me laugh. Instead, I received a very dark and gritty tale.
In a nut shell, the book is about a reality show that shows life in a prison, something that seems even more likely than when the book was originally written. (Ok, the fact that the prison was located in space is less likely, but hey, that's what makes it an X-Book.)This reality program is building to a climax with its first live execution, the mutant Longshot. Not suprisingly, the prison is ultimately run by his arch-nemesis, the grotesque and insane Mojo. The X-Men ultimately learn about this, through a variety of sources, and find their way to the prison to rescue him before his big finale.
A note right now: some social issues Noceti goes into great detail about are video-game violence, TV reality shows, and humane treatment of prisoners. If you like your X-Men all action, this book may not be for you. On the other hand, tolerance and equality are supposed to be what the X-Men stand for, so it's nice to see it applied to something other than the tried and true humans vs. mutants. Prisoner X is also written in past tense: she sees, he walks, they talk, etc. It can be a bit jarring, but ultimately fits with the book's darker tone.
Characterwise, there are good and bad. First, the three villains are portrayed excellently. Mojo is insane, Spiral is callous and vengeful, Major Domo is sarcastic and inhuman. The heroes are more of a mixed bag. Wolverine is in character, as are Rogue, Gambit, and Longshot. Noceti does a particularly good job at looking into the relationships between Rogue and Longshot and Rogue and Gambit. Others are not so good. Phoenix is so-so, as is Beast. Storm, who is supposedly to be the team leader is disappointing. She doesn't lead, exactly, then every other X-Men just go off on their own and she docilely follows behind to pick up the pieces. Also disappointing was the absence of Dazzler, Longshot's maybe-wife. The book makes no reference to her by name and only one reference otherwise, a throw-away comment that may or may not be talking about her. Other than those qualms, this was a reasonably good book, albeit one with rather pointed morals. Give it a go.

Rating:
Summary: Prisoner X a Pleasant Surprise
Review: I am avid X-Men fan. Considering that my other experiences to the Mojoverse all involved the X-Babies, I was expecting, basically, a comedy book, something to make me laugh. Instead, I received a very dark and gritty tale.
In a nut shell, the book is about a reality show that shows life in a prison, something that seems even more likely than when the book was originally written. (Ok, the fact that the prison was located in space is less likely, but hey, that's what makes it an X-Book.)This reality program is building to a climax with its first live execution, the mutant Longshot. Not suprisingly, the prison is ultimately run by his arch-nemesis, the grotesque and insane Mojo. The X-Men ultimately learn about this, through a variety of sources, and find their way to the prison to rescue him before his big finale.
A note right now: some social issues Noceti goes into great detail about are video-game violence, TV reality shows, and humane treatment of prisoners. If you like your X-Men all action, this book may not be for you. On the other hand, tolerance and equality are supposed to be what the X-Men stand for, so it's nice to see it applied to something other than the tried and true humans vs. mutants. Prisoner X is also written in past tense: she sees, he walks, they talk, etc. It can be a bit jarring, but ultimately fits with the book's darker tone.
Characterwise, there are good and bad. First, the three villains are portrayed excellently. Mojo is insane, Spiral is callous and vengeful, Major Domo is sarcastic and inhuman. The heroes are more of a mixed bag. Wolverine is in character, as are Rogue, Gambit, and Longshot. Noceti does a particularly good job at looking into the relationships between Rogue and Longshot and Rogue and Gambit. Others are not so good. Phoenix is so-so, as is Beast. Storm, who is supposedly to be the team leader is disappointing. She doesn't lead, exactly, then every other X-Men just go off on their own and she docilely follows behind to pick up the pieces. Also disappointing was the absence of Dazzler, Longshot's maybe-wife. The book makes no reference to her by name and only one reference otherwise, a throw-away comment that may or may not be talking about her. Other than those qualms, this was a reasonably good book, albeit one with rather pointed morals. Give it a go.

Rating:
Summary: just a bit too preachy
Review: i picked this book up because, 1) i am an x-fan, and 2) i was looking for a light read. boy i was wrong. this book looked into the prison system of today's world, and she had a lot to say, too much to go into here (though i would like to remind the author, that the people in prisons are criminals, so the sympathy and their rights can only go so far). we also get the author's view on the dangers of technology and out addiction to tv and video games. the book actually turned out to be a bit of a dissapointment. the story wasn't that great, and it was a bit preachy. go with the other x-titles.

Rating:
Summary: WHOA
Review: I thought that this was your typical X-Men book. I was wrong. This book really suprised me. It was very VERY graphic, in depth and had a very cool story to it. This book is definately worth reading and is essential for any X-Men fan.