Illyana Rasputin's Daily Damnation

Oh, I liked that. Strange Academy is off to a solid start. The first issue is entirely introductions, but I like the tone--it gives the sense that all these new characters have been developed and will come to life in this book, rather than just be fodder for wacky magical antics (which is what I worried about).

There’s still stuff thrown of the reader that has a bit of a wacky fun, just because it’s cool-vibe. Dormammu has a son now? Doctor Strange just encourages untrained students to help fight a giant monster? Way to be a teacher, man. And new student Dessy is a demon from Limbo--wait, what? That’s a pretty radical departure from what Limbo demons have been, and Illyana should be all over that instead of being barely there.

(That’s a downside of this issue. Illyana only has a cameo and just stands around for a panel or two.)

But on the whole, I’m intrigued and charmed. If the book ends up seriously addressing these things, we could be in for something great.

STRANGE ACADEMY #2

I feel like I’m probably more advanced in the subject, but it’s always good to do refresher courses, so sign me up for Inferno 101, please!

Time for the official solicit:

STRANGE ACADEMY #1

Name-checking Illyana, which... approved! No idea how this series and Illyana’s role in it will go. I certainly can’t skip out on the potential it has, though.

Oh, what’s this? A new Marvel book granting Illyana her rightful place among 616′s sorcerers?

Strange Academy by Young and Ramos is going to be about  a group of all-new characters learning magic at a school Doctor Strange runs, with promised guest stars among the teachers as seen above.

Illyana’s going to drop by, so I’m going to get this, I have very little choice in the matter.

But I’m not convinced by the book yet. “Marvel Hogwarts” has tons of potential (and is essentially what X-Men student books have always been, let’s be honest), but unfortunately this preview gives me a strong vibe of Jason Aaron’s Wolverine and the X-Men-level quirkiness, and I can’t stand that. Who knows, might be the fight Strange invites the kid to risk their lives in on their very first day of learning is fake and just a test, but this is the tone they’re setting up.

I want Illyana to come warn these children about the dangers to your soul and sanity that magic can bring, not be the wacky angry lady who sics her demons on them as a “lesson” in fighting. We’ll see which Illyana we’ll get here.

I’ll be honest, I prefer Skottie Young as an artist, and Humberto Ramos... well, his kind of style actually works better for me when used on characters I don’t know mainly in other styles, so these new students could be a hit.

For Illyana, looks Ramos went right back to the modification of the Bachalo look he created himself for Extraordinary X-Men. Not the biggest fan of that--especially since she’s also shown with the Surfboardsword here. No matter your feelings on that, you have to admit that depicting her with the regular-sized sword seems to be a very deliberate choice in the Dawn of X era, which makes me worry about how connected/well-coordinated this book is. But hey, Ramos is giving her proper bangs this time, so big thumbs up for that!

Illyana vs. the shame of what’s become of her Storyteller: Craig Kyle, Chris Yost & Skottie Young Source: New X-Men vol.2 #39

Magik lessons, and Hogwarts this ain’t Storytellers: Craig Kyle, Chris Yost & Skottie Young Source: New X-Men vol.2 #39

Illyana is a responsible demon-girl and takes her demon-pets out for walks Artists: Skottie Young, Carlo Barberi Source: Extraordinary X-Men Annual #1

So that’s what that Skottie Young drawing was for! I needz it.

(Wow, Illyana is wearing a push-up costume on this page, I believe.)

There is no world or reality where Illyana does not have a kick-ass sword Storytellers: Skottie Young & Aaron Conley Source: Rocket Raccoon and Groot #4

I would just like to point out that I just did that headcanon about Illyana’s favorite games and I said that she enjoys the roleplay element in them. (This is how I expect it’d go, too--Illyana is excited about being someone else in-game, but ends up making a character that’s basically just her because it’s kind of uncomfortable pretending to be different.)

(And not that I’d consider this appearance particularly canon, but whatevs.)

...And then she loses patience with the game and just starts smashing stuff for fun. Also just like I said.

“Gentle Giant To Release Statues Based On Skottie Young’s Art”

Would buy.

Just saying.

Li'l 'Yana, big attitude Artist: Skottie Young Source: Giant-Size Little Marvel--AvX #4

Oh, and Skottie Young’s Giant-Size Little Marvel #4 also out next week!

Final issue already? Dayumn. Let’s hope there’s some more demons or hell house on display!

I pick Illyana! Storyteller: Skottie Young Source: Giant-Size Little Marvel: AvX #2

Out next week!

More, but Illyana-less, preview in link.

GIANT-SIZE LITTLE MARVEL: AVX #4 SKOTTIE YOUNG (w) • SKOTTIE YOUNG (a/C) • Avengers vs. X-Men vs. GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY!? • Marvel's most mini heroes are pulling out all their toys to compete for the ultimate honor – whose crew is coolest! • It's a bombastic backyard brawl like you've never seen before! 32 PGS./Rated T ...$3.99 *SECRET WARS SERIES

Marvel never mentions final issues anymore, but there’s sure a lot of covers in these solicitations that look Grand Finale or Wrap-Up...

It’s for tiny ’Yana’s only, but I actually adore the little skirt Artist: Skottie Young Source: Giant-Size Little Marvel: AvX #1

Buy the original from the man himself.

Scott always sees red, Illyana always sees yellow Artist: Skottie Young

Hey, a Skottie Young sketch I’d missed! Not for long! Hey Skottie, come do a con in my area of the world, will you? I needs me one of these. Gorgeous.

Don’t mess with the evil pony Artist: Skottie Young Source: Giant-Size Little Marvel: AvX #1

I knew it! Li’l Iron Man was being a li’l dick and that’s what started it all!

Also, Skottie Young’s cartoon theme song game is strong.

The Battle for the playground is on Artist: Skottie Young Source: Giant-Size Little Marvel: AvX #3

New Marvel solicits are online!