-
Marauders #8
- Artist:
- Stefano Caselli
- Cover Artist:
- Russell Dauterman
- Price:
- 3.99
- Publisher:
- Marvel Comics
- Release Date:
- 2020-02-19
- Writer:
- Gerry Duggan
Marauders follows Kate Pryde and her crew -- Bishop, Psylocke, Fang, Lockheed, Aurora, Somnus, Tempo, and Cassandra Nova -- as they save every mutant they can. Recently the Marauders discovered the existence of Threshold, the first civilization of mutants on Earth from nearly two billion years ago. With the help of a Shi'ar timedrive and modern-day resurrection protocols, they were able to bring back the three remaining refugees of Threshold. The trio now hopes the Marauders will help save Threshold from its downfall in the past. Written by Steve Orlando with art by Eleonora Carlini, colors by Matt Milla, letters by Ariana Maher, and design by Tom Muller, Marauders #8 is an exciting issue exploring themes of survival.
Kate Pryde is determined to help avert the annihilation of Threshold, even if it means she has to travel two billion years into the past. The mission in front of them is daunting, even getting back to the correct time is a nigh-impossible feat, and that's without factoring in the ways their presence in the past could impact the present. Some crew members have reservations about going, but they all have the utmost trust in Pryde to lead them. But no matter how carefully they plan, nothing can prepare them for what the Marauders discover when they arrive.
Orlando continues to make this book a fantastically fun read. There are heavy themes at play here, untold loss and the fight for survival chief among them. These themes are handled with care, but Orlando injects humor at the perfect moments to keep the book from being weighed down by its seriousness. For all the melodrama, this is, at its heart, a fun, time-traveling caper with superheroes. Character work and lore expansion are woven together effectively.
Carlini's art is phenomenal from cover to cover. The opening scene in the Broken Baths is sure to be an instant fan-favorite. Characters' faces and body language are incredibly expressive, and it sells the comedy throughout. Each character is brimming with personality. Reserved paneling gives moments ample time to breathe. When the action comes, it hits with force and speed. It's engaging and energetic and a blast to see.
Milla's colors are wonderful throughout, complementing the art. Everything looks silky smooth, and every hue is bright. The coloring of powers is especially captivating, with energy levels that nearly leap off the page. Maher's lettering is great, as usual. Text bubbles are placed effectively on each page, never obfuscating the art. Sound effects are used to great comedic effect and for added emphasis in action. Muller's design work conveys critical narrative information in a visually appealing way with various data pages.
Marauders continues to be a gleefully good time. This book easily switches between comedy and drama for a well-balanced reading experience. It embraces the ridiculousness of X-Men comics, full of time-travel shenanigans and some deep pulls from the lore, all while adding something new. With Marauders #8, Orlando and the rest of the creative team deliver another spectacular issue.