If I loved Yost/Kyle's New X-Men, should I try Academy X?

[En Sabah Poo]

I avoided Academy X because I sort of just launched back into the X-men with House of M. But I really really dug New X-men Childhood's End more than any other series. I was horribly disappointed when it was quietly canceled during Messiah Complex. Should I pick up the four Academy X trades that preceded it, or will is it much more watered down? I've heard great things about the very first book, New Mutants Back to School and I have actually ordered that recently.

[leviathan]

I wouldn't recommend it. Academy X was great, don't get me wrong, but it was a total 180 from the Yost series. Where Yost et al were all about making sure the kids were in danger 24/7, the DeFilippis/Weir run was more about the character interactions and was essentially a High School with mutants. Again, up to you...but I think the two series were too different to really be very complementary.

[Thudpucker]

Academy X is good. It's much lighter in tone, it's a relationship book about school kids with powers. Nobody gets killed or tortured or anything.

The best part of the run I think is the only part that isn't in trade, New Mutants 7-13. Those are the issues that lead directly into Academy X and introduce Surge. Issues 1-6 were kind of awkward one-shots that can be skipped but 7-13 establish the tone of the series and are excellent.

[Ray G.]

I loved Academy X, despised the Kyle/Yost run possibly more than any comic I've ever read (don't get me wrong, it was written well, but I just couldn't stand it), so take that for what you will.

[Thudpucker]

I loved Academy X, despised the Kyle/Yost run possibly more than any comic I've ever read (don't get me wrong, it was written well, but I just couldn't stand it), so take that for what you will.

I feel the same about X-Force, for the same reason. I generally hate when light and fun stories go in grim and gritty directions, it's just not for me.

Rahne has long been one of my favorite characters and I was loving her being part of PAD's new X-Factor. Now she's part of a team of murderers, killing people herself and being tortured. It makes me sick.

Don't get me wrong, Kyle/Yost know thier stuff. They are talented writters who handle the characters well. X-Force is all logical and plausible, motivations are all well explained. I just hate it is all. I would much rather see Rahne laughing with Maddox in X-Factor than murdering people in X-Force.