Mike Cary’s tale of Tom Taylor, the adult son of a famous author who based his grossly popular fictional hero “Tommy” on his own son, continues to build depth and speed.  Drawn back to his childhood home, which is also the famous home of many other historic authors, Tom discovers a meeting of horror authors gathered for a weekend conference.

Author Mike Carey is successfully creating an engaging world and smart characters to dwell in it.  Along with Lizzie Hexam, who is searching to uncover the mystery about his origin, Tom delves into his childhood home’s secrets and recalls the last time he saw his dad before his mysterious disappearance.  Tom finds more clues into his father’s secret life and hopefully, it will led to learning more about himself.  Unknown to Tom, Mister Pullman is hot on his heels.  Mike Cary writes with a confident direction and firm grasp of his plot.

Artist Peter Gross draws a simple and crisp book.  He achieves a great balance between a straightforward cartoonish style and sparse but effective details.  With uncluttered backgrounds, the characters pop off the pages.

Carey delivers a good fright towards the end of this issue.  So far, this has been a great read with no sign of slowing down.

4 out of 5

Charles Xavier returns to confront Exodus and the Acolytes in this prelude to the Dark X-Men.  Author Mike Carey tackles a loose end in the X-verse, namely, the role of the Magneto-less Acolytes.  With the Master of Magnetism gone and mutant-kind close to extinction, Exodus and his Acolytes are soldiers without a war, leader, and purpose.  Xavier has a few heart-to-hearts with Exodus and other Acolytes about the future and their role in mutant affairs.

In theory, it’s a fantastic story.  In execution, it is a slow build to a nice ending.  This issue is littered with nice moments between Charles and the broken Acolytes, but the pace is a bit belabored.  X- fans will enjoy the stroll down memory lane, but I was itching for action.

Phil Briones draws a solid book.  I especially enjoyed the splash panels of the royal rumbles of days gone by.  While it these pauses drug the story out, Briones’ talent made it fun.

I’m all fired up for the new direction this title is taking.  This issue provides nice closer and sufficient fuel for the future.

3.5 out of 5

Gambit, one of the X-men’s most well-known and beloved members, gets his due in this well-told and well-crafted origin tale.  Mike Carey, author, smartly focuses on a few salient eposides in Gambit’s life rather than belaboring one moment.  Carey weaves two great moments together, Gambit’s wedding and the first use of his powers.  Throughout each story, Gambit’s personality shines with an arrogant swagger and the tenderness of man who can’t resist the women.  Gambit and Mr. Sinister’s connection was brilliantly executed and could easily be a mini-series.  Carey’s strength with each vignette is ending with the reader wanting more.

The artistic team of David Yardin, Ibraim Roberson and Nathan Fairbairn hit this one out of the park.  The quality is on par with a flagship title rather than a one shot.  This book is beautifully penciled, inked and colored.  Sharp detailed lines are accented by dynamic colors and paneling.

This is what an X-Men Origin story should be.  I can only hope that future installments are this good.

4 out of 5

Firstly, kudos and thanks for the double sized issue for a buck!  Vertigo has been advertising the heck out of this issue, hoping to lasso in as many readers from the start as they can.  The big question…was “Unwritten” any good?  The answer, in short, is “Yes.”

Tom Taylor is our protagonist, a celebrity by virtue of his father’s success.  His dad Wilson Taylor wrote 13 Harry Potter-esque books that are international mega best- sellers.  Tom’s fame is that his father based the book’s hero after him.  Tom’s livelihood is traveling to conventions signing his father’s books.  The world is in love with Tommy Taylor, even if the real Tom is a nice guy loser who likes to hit the bar.

During a Q&A panel at a convention, a female reporter type hits Tom with a barrage of questions that he cannot begin to answer.  Unbeknownst to Tom, his identity is in question.  Is he really Wilson Taylor’s son? Why did his father suddenly disappear?  Who is Tom Taylor?  Why are people closet to Tom trying to hide the truth from him?

Author Mike Carey unveils just enough of the mystery to get the reader started.  A mysterious woman who knows more about Tom than Tom knows about himself.  Count Ambrosio, the book’s antagonist, confronts Tom in real life.  Is this guy a nut or something more menacing?  Carey begins to blur the line between the fictional and real worlds without spelling it out for the reader.  He also establishes Tom as a likeable character.  The poor guy could didn’t even get cast as himself for the movie adaptation of his father’s book.  He’s a young man that doesn’t have much going for him when his life suddenly takes a dramatic turn.  You want to root for the poor guy.

Peter Gross’ art is sharp and uncomplicated.  The fiction and real life panels are drawn in the same style, a clever tool to bridge these two worlds.

This issue could not do more to set up a good story.  It’s not perfect, but I am intrigued to enter further into this world.  I am willing to pay full price for issue two; you win Vertigo.

4 out of 5