X-Men: The (fan fic) Series

Okay, now we’re back on form. Clever quips, great characterizations, and fun twists. Spoilers ahead!

Truly, I have no idea what’s going on and that’s exactly how I like it. There are so many characters with questionable motivations that it just makes your head spin. Is Quire really just going after Idie? Is Broo really lost, personality wise? Just what the hell is up with Paige?

And who let Herman on twitter? Seriously… him updating the Hellfire Club’s status reminds me of the fan fic The Beautiful Mind of Katherine Pryde. If the Club gets defeated because Herman tweeted an instagram picture of the group’s next diabolical plan…

But I think the best moment was this simple exchange between Quire and Toad.

Quire: Why’d you do it, Toad? Because they made you mop the floors? You’re smarter than half the teachers here, aren’t you?

Toad: You wouldn’t understand why I did it. You’re too good-looking. And too young to have ever been in love.

That is possibly the saddest and truest moment I have seen in comics for a long time. It’s true though, heroes are always ‘dashing’, or ruggedly handsome in some way. Toad is surrounded by beautiful people who are constantly hooking up with each other randomly as highlighted in the Date Night issue. In one small exchange, you’re made to realize just how lonely and possibly depressed Toad is. After all the way he’s come from being a villain in the Brotherhood… he still can’t get ahead because he’s not one of the ‘beautiful people’.

Then we get the part that just rips my freaking heart out.

Toad: I did what you wanted, Paige. I did everything they asked. Please tell me we can be together now, honey?

Paige: We will be, Mortimer. Forever, baby, just like I promised.

Not only do we have wonderful gender reversal, but if Paige is just using Toad I will never, ever, forgive her. Seriously… I never thought one moment about Toad beyond just another side character and then in two panels I just want to snatch him up and hold him tight and tell him everything is going to be okay.

Well played Jason Aaron… well played.