The finale in the four part Before the Fall of X series arrives with The Sinister Four. Writer Kieron Gillen gives audiences one last look at the way things were, before they change forever for muutantkind. At first, given the title, this comic may seem like it is framing these four as the mutant equivalent of the numerical foes who often face Spider-Man. However, after reading this issue, it seems like an ode to a much older group.
X-Men Before The Fall: The Sinister Four
Lonely Hearts Club
Writer: Kieron Gillen
Artist: Peco Medina
Color Artist: Edgar Delgado; Protobunker’s Fer Sifuentes-Sujo
Letterer: VC’s Clayton Cowels
For almost as long as readers have been aware of him, Mister Sinister has been referred to as Nathaniel Essex. So how would the hothead feel knowing there were three others laying claim to the name. X-Men Before the Fall: The Sinister Four does just that, taking the name Nathaniel Essex to greater heights. This totally changes the trajectory of what readers know about the man who was Nathaniel Essex. After the many revelations already made, The Sinister Four finally shows that Nathaniel Essex was a man on a mission. He had love on his mind. And that seems to have carried over to his clone.
The date night setting of The Sinister Four is a little irritating though not without bits of intrigue and interest. It requires both characters involved, Stasis and Mother Righteous, to change the way they play their cards. First there is Stasis who is nervously anticipating his guest’s arrival like a child. Even the Dr. admits to his odd behavior, which doesn’t match any of the confidence Stasis has shown while orchestrating his Orchis schemes. Given how important appearances are within that organization, things may get ugly now that Dr. Stasis realizes he doesn’t know who he really is. If he did he most certainly wouldn’t have enlisted the assistance of Nimrod.
Until this part of Before the Fall Dr. Stasis seemed like the brains of this operation, if any of the “clones” would admit their inferiority. In fact the purpose of each “clone” was one method, one theory on how to best combat the threat of AI. Coming to grips with this knowledge, along with the revelation of who Mother Righteous is looks to have transformed, even torn down the tough shell that Dr. Stasis has hidden behind.
Perhaps it is the nostalgia of the evening. Mother Righteous, whose very presence during Legion of X was a thing of whispers and wishes, becomes quite transparent. Not just in her appearance, though even Stasis remarks upon her rouge complexion, with artists Edgar Delggado and Protobunker’s Fer Sifuentes-Sujo letting Mrs Sin show a little more skin.
There is less resemblance between Mother Righteous and the Rebecca readers meet at the beginning of this issue of X-Men Before the Fall. Paco Medina’s Righteous has a more expressional, poetic face than the woman she once was. Removing the mask doesn’t diminish the character’s mystique either, instead allowing readers to get a chance to see her heart. Her appearance definitely has an effect on Stasis, the Dr is enamored with who she has become and possibly despises what he could not recreate. Righteous also offers Stasis the same courtesy, as Righteous is also rather giving this evening with her… stories.
It is the stories, within stories, where Sinister Four begins to suffer. In attempting to bridge the gaps for Stasis, Mother Righteous creates some plot problems. Readers had originally been led to believe each “clone” emerged from a separate chamber, albeit at separate times. This actually coincides with how Stasis, and even Mister Sinister, recall their births. But Righteous proclaims she has a different starting point in this story; as a different person – Nathaniel’s late wife Rebecca.
Each of the Essex male clones look somewhat similar. Stasis and Sinister could practically pass for twins so there was always something about Mother Righteous that felt off. Still, given who we believed was responsible for her creation this could have been another Miss Sinister situation. Once you consider the additional details Mother Righteous offers in this issue her presence feels contradictory to the others.
Given the history (of memories) these two share, X-Men Before the Fall: The Sinister Four consists of many flashback sequences. From the proposal between Nathaniel and Rebecca to the Sinister’s activities since their re-awakening, the artistic talents help these two – and readers – remember the time. Medina, along with Delgado and Sifuentes-Sujo even incorporate Mother Righteous and Stasis into some Classic Non X-Men comics to illustrate that these two kept busy while staying under the mutants, and Mister Sinister’s, radar.
Or Orbis Solaris, whose existence Mother Righteous brings up only for Dr. Stasis to admit he wasn’t aware. Between the knowledge we gain from Mother Righteous in The Sinister Four and Mister Sinister claim in the pages of Immoral X-Men to have emerged to see one already empty pod there appears to be a misdeal; some misdirection. One of these characters would have had to witness the others. Is there a mastermind at work?
As the title X-Men Before the Fall suggests, change is coming. Many years ago one man made an attempt to alter the course of history. His decision led to an adventure that ended with four individuals emerging with powers. Individually their stories would go on to become the stuff of legends in the Marvel Universe.
The Sinister Four
Sorry, they can’t all be Fantastic.
Score: 8.9