Shy Girls
17Apr04

New Mutants #11, "Shy Girls," was easily the best issue in the series so far.

It's easy for a fan of Rahne to say that, but it's much more than a deeper-than-ever retrospective on Rahne's life, or that Nunzio and Christina mirrored Rahne's and Laurie's backgrounds against each other. The book represents what is great about this title and it also stands out from every other issue so far in several ways.

Not only does it continue the current story arc, it works very well as a standalone issue and is a great jumping-on point for new fans. It traces the history of two characters, one old and one new, from farther back than Marvel has ever gone, to the current moment in time, smoothly and seamlessly. The issue reeks of being well planned and thoughtfully detailed. It is apparent to this reader that the understanding between writers and artists was uncommonly clear.

The art and the style of New Mutants is a pleasant match to its rhythm and personality, and this issue is a great example of how. The cover by Chris Bachalo is exquisite, and would appeal to both male and female readers. In timeless Marvel fashion, it has nothing to do with the contents of this issue, but it all balances out in the end, and adds a little variety to an issue that primarily focuses on only two characters.

The splash page of this and other issues is a great fit for today's style; the graphics and layout remind one of an interesting web interface. Page 2 opens the story with narrative and some of the only dialogue in the book. The attention to detail given by Carlo Barberi and the other artists of the title shows here in the faint images of Rahne, Josh, and the motorcycle through Laurie's dorm window. Carlo enjoys using detail to be humorous or interesting. Take a look at page 3, panel 1 and tell me if any of the faces in the front row look familiar. Splash 2, with Rahne howling over Josh's body, is really nice to look at.

Finally we learn the truth about Reverend Craig. Looks like Craig and the entire city of Kinross have been given a facelift, and it's high time. Poor little Rahne is as cute as they come in these flashbacks, but it's the marriage of these images to poignant lines that make this issue shine. I want to thank Nunzio and Christina personally for the following line:

"He gave her the gift of religion. But he forced her to carry it with shame."

Never has Rahne's religious background been more succinctly explained without robbing her of dignity for still believing. This is a fine, fine thing.

Laurie's background, which is in many ways her mother(Gail)'s background, is not without powerfully moving moments either. The last panel on page 7, where Gail is weeping and Laurie stands at the door wishing she could go in and help, is gripping. It is familiar to any reader who has witnessed depression or misery in their parents. In many of Laurie's scenes, she is working a jigsaw puzzle which seems to be finished but for one piece. Anyone see an analogy there?

Carlo even gave Rahne a facelift, in that even in the flashbacks, she wore tight tops and had a bare midriff. Not only was this not her style before, she would have felt very exposed in such attire. Even the average teen girl in the 1980s didn't sport a bare midriff unless she was swimming. Maybe ten years ago, this change would have bothered me. But something about it seems quite deliberate, and on second thought, the book might need to change with the times. I remember seeing the original X-Men using 1960s slang in a 1960s beatnik coffeehouse once, yet today in 2004 they are supposed to only be in their twenties. So I guess even the original New Mutants must eventually face the same update. It's just hard to believe I'm seeing it.

Laurie and her mother seem so close that it puts you alittle on edge--makes you a little protective, wondering if this comparison between Rahne and Laurie might mean the same fate for Gail that befell Moira. Notice how similar the panel with Moira presenting Rahne to Xavier is to the one of Gail presenting Laurie to him.

The panel showing the original 5 New Mutants captures their personalities perfectly, and is like warm bread with butter. Very, very nice. And the team shot of 8 (where's Warlock?) is one of the best panels in the series so far. And it's great to see Rahne and Doug hugging again, but as tragic as ever to see her over his grave.

I can't imagine how someone who seems as sweet and nice as Laurie could run Cessily off. Could it be that Laurie's necessary isolation has caused her to develop social problems we have not yet seen?

The New Mutants creative team have clearly done their homework-- and then some. They have planted characters firmly and seamlessly into an already existing environment, and solidified it for old characters as well as new. The little pieces they added (like Laurie inflaming the Omega Riot and Rahne starting barfights) enhance not only this issue but the characters and the entire Marvel Universe.

By the last few pages, the story of Rahne and the story of Laurie have crossed up in the present day. Echoing the first page, dialogue returns as Laurie finally controls her power for the first time. Those of us who have followed these characters since New Mutants #1 (or earlier, at the Grind Stone) find this thrilling to say the least! I'm reminded of when Sam Guthrie was first able to change direction in his blast. How elated he was. I felt that. I felt for Laurie when she sprang to protect the boy she loves. For a moment at least, she found that missing puzzle piece.

And in as timeless Marvel fashion as misleading cover art, the last page threatens certain death for a major character!

Errors, omissions, and updates may be sent to RahneFan.