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Here we are five issues into the new Claremont written Nightcrawler solo series, so I think it's safe to highlight what ground has been covered so far. By the way, if you haven't picked this up yet, you should! Issue #5, in fact, is a great jumping on point.

Of note, the original premise of the book was changed at least twice before launch. It started out its concept life as the newest volume of X-Men Legacy, was subsequently changed to be a type of buddy book between Nightcrawler and Wolverine and finally settled as a full on Nightcrawler solo. 

The classic X-Men master writer, Chris Claremont, is steadily finding his feet in the X-Men world again and we, as readers, get to see this unfold as he shares Nightcrawler's reintroduction into a home that is very much changed from the one he remembers. 

The initial arc was heavily based on nostalgia and had Kurt remembering his old life, and old love, starting out in a "rose colored glasses" sort of way. It culminated with touching on some of the core, internal changes of the beloved Fuzzy Elf, first highlighted in the 'must read' #6 issue of Amazing X-Men, entitled "All in the Family". For clarity's sake, I'll start with that and work my way into what we've gotten in the solo, so far.

Kurt is back in the land of the living and wrapped in the welcoming warmth of his adopted family of the X-Men. However, we're seeing a Kurt deeply impacted by events and unsure of the man he is now, though he tries to keep it from his friends and plays along with their welcome home party. 

Amazing X-Men #6

Amazing X-Men #6

It's not long before the rest of the welcome wagon arrives in the form of Mystique, the not-so-doting mother. 

AXM #6

AXM #6

I don't think anyone would classify her as a 'good' mother, but she is the first to notice that something has changed with Kurt, that he's not exactly the man he was.

She goes on to take her son's rejection as a lead in to bring up Azazel, her other objective, who promptly shows up on the scene shortly thereafter. 

AXM #6

I realize Azazel is high on the list of least favorite Nightcrawler supporting characters, but I still couldn't help but find these exchanges amusing as well as in character for all of them. Truly, Kurt drew the short straw in the family department.

As expected, the bad guys get away and leave poor Kurt with a heavy heart.

He and Logan do go on to finally have a true homecoming moment as Kurt tries to drown his sorrows and his misgivings.

AXM #6

As far as Mystique and Azazel? That's a whole 'nother story. 

AXM #6

So, this is the set up leading into the Nightcrawler solo. Kurt is full of doubt, staggered at what he's done to himself and what the price will be for that and has no idea where he belongs or even if he belongs in the world he thought he'd left behind forever.

How does he cope? Why, he struggles to try and recapture the man he was, of course, or at least the man he perceived himself to be. He appears to want to view himself, and his world, in terms of his idealized memories.

NC #1

Keep an eye on this little guy.

NC #1

NC #1

NC #1

He chooses not think about what's happened to the X-Men he no longer recognizes, or what schism or the death of Charles or Scott's revolution mean to him, personally. Instead, he opts to look up Amanda, his on-again-off-again girlfriend/sister of the past, reintroducing a relationship that was wrapped up many years ago.

Kurt is nothing if not tenacious and, this time, he's apparently decided to make things work with Amanda, in spite of their sometimes unsavory history together and issues of trust. 

NC #1

NC #1

He has himself cast in the role of savior and Amanda as his damsel in distress once the newest villain, Trimega, shows up on the scene. Kurt is finding out, however, that, like with the X-Men, things aren't quite as he remembered.

He and Amanda determine that Trimega is going after the people closest to Kurt and decide that the most likely next stop would be Germany, and Margali, so head there.

The second issue basically serves just to remind us of Nightcrawler's other family, the Szardos clan. We have a recap on who Amanda is, as well as Margali, and Kurt's history with them, though there's no mention of Stefan and the pivotal role he played in Kurt becoming an X-Man. 

NC #2

NC #2

The issue ends with them jaunting once again halfway around the world to follow Trimega to the JGS where the Szardos women are not received warmly. As a result, Kurt and Storm butt heads and we hit on the core of this opening arc and what Kurt is learning -- he can't be the man he was before, no matter how much he (or some fans) may want him to, anymore than the world itself can remain unchanged.

NC #3

This is reiterated in a scene with Logan. This just isn't the fuzzy elf he knew and, arguably, sometimes took for granted. (I give CC bonus points for use of the word "hinky".)

NC #3

We also get Amanda being Amanda and Margali being Margali. Both characters tend to revise their singular roles with every appearance, to one degree or another, and this time was no different. 

Amanda is hiding something, deceiving Kurt and his friends, playing by her own rules and endangering everyone in the process. 

NC #3

Margali is the victim of her ambition and hunger for power.

NC #3

The next issue is the arc wrap and delivers the major finale in more ways than one.

Thanks to the efforts of Kurt's adopted family, the school is under attack and the world as well as the outer realms are in danger. It would seem Storm's misgivings were for good reason.

NC #4

NC #4

Logan brings up the obvious but the emotional punch of the arc ending really hinges on whether the belabored personification of Kurt's heart has been sold to readers or not.

NC #4

To stop the magically addicted Margali, Kurt and Amanda must cross into her portal to close it from the other side, giving up their lives in the process. Here Kurt finds out the consequences of what he's done by choosing to abandon Heaven, and Amanda finally gets a somewhat different end to her involvement in a story.

NC #4

NC #4

So the first arc starts with a soulless Kurt and ends with him losing his "heart". Considering the character has long been touted as the "heart and soul" of the X-Men, I can't help but wonder how deliberate this is, and what it will mean for the fuzzy one going forward.

The following issue, however, picks up and runs with the idea of Kurt finding his new place in the world. This is pure Claremont gold, though it downplays the aftermath of the opening arc. That's one of the reasons I feel like #5 is an excellent starting point for the series if you've yet to try it. 

We finally get to see Nightcrawler react to schism and the loss of his friends. Claremont hits below the belt with an emotional wallop within the first pages, though he's nice enough to pick us up and dust us off with a message of hope from an old friend in the sunrise immediately afterwards.

NC #5

NC #5

Maybe Claremont, like Kurt, is trying to win back hearts and minds, as well. I find it difficult not to see a strong POV correlation between writer and character.

Nauck's humorous use of the bamfs keep what could possibly be a very heavy story a heartwarming one, and his art really helps sell the stories throughout this run, so far. Claremont also reminds us with this issue what the X-Men are really about and what they want to accomplish on the non-revolutionary side of the schism.

NC #5

NC #5

We get a nice wink and a nod to a now classic scene between Kurt and Rachel. 

NC #5

As a long time reader, I really love these little prize eggs thrown in there. I don't think they detract from the experience of new readers, but they certainly add to the enjoyment factor of those of us who've been around awhile.

Uncanny X-Men #450

Uncanny X-Men #450

Excalibur #16

We also get to see Kurt make the first step into his new life, as a mentor to young mutants. (I told you to keep an eye on the little guy), 

NC #5

as well as the introduction of some vintage villains in the form of the Crimson Pirates.

NC #5

In short, I highly recommend the series to any fans of Nightcrawler, old school X-Men, up and coming young mutants, the writings of Chris Claremont or the art of Todd Nauck. It's well worth the read.



In other Nightcrawler related news, both Rick Remender and Tom Brevoort have cited Nightcrawler as having a pivotal role  in the upcoming mega Marvel crossover, AXIS. It starts in October of 2014.

AXIS

AXIS

UPDATES

And we have some Nightcrawler news! Quite a bit is happening with the fuzzy elf of late. In fact, his fans have suddenly been propelled from famine to feast! He's starring in a new series, Amazing X-Men, penned by Jason Aaron with Ed McGuinness on art and, as of April, will be in his own self-titled solo, written by the legendary Chris Claremont with Todd Nauck illustrating!


The Jean Grey School has been bombarded with bamfs -- little mischievous Nightcrawler miniatures -- since its inception, to the amusement of many readers. The bamfs steal Logan's whiskey, eat the flowers from Ororo's garden, start food fights, act as impromptu, chaotic substitute teachers, hang all over Kitty and generally help to make life at the JGS very interesting. They aren't all nuisance, though, as they've also helped defend the school a time or two. Recently, these little pests have been discovered to have a purpose and a secret agenda of their own. Hidden within the JGS, they've built a portal.  As readers soon learn, they've been sent by none other than Nightcrawler himself, beyond the land of the living,  Now, they've lured the X-Men into a new adventure to help their lost but never forgotten friend in Amazing X-Men.

The series has started off with an emotional bang.

AXM #1

It opens with a flashback of Kurt in the afterlife. He's looking out over the horizon, and plagued by a feeling of things left undone, though he knows he should be enjoying his eternal reward. He finds out soon enough that his misgivings are entirely justified when Azazel, Kurt's demonic father, shows up on the scene.

Azazel has always been ambitious. When he originally appeared, his aim was to takeover the earth and Kurt thwarted him, with help from the X-Men. Now, Azzy is aiming even higher. He wants to control all the realms and first on his list to conquer is Heaven itself. With his demon pirate crew, he's been stealing souls from the heavenly realm to build an army. Kurt is understandably horrified and vows to stop his father, but Azazel taunts him with an unpleasant, niggling little fact -- Kurt's dead. What can he do?

AXM #1

AXM #1

As it turns out, quite a lot, provided he's willing to make the sacrifice. Kurt may be dead, but he's still a hero, and there's no way he's letting dear old dad get away with this. If it means he has to give up his place in the afterlife to stop it, then so be it. Nightcrawler doesn't fall from grace; he jumps.

However, he knows he can't do it alone. He needs the help of his friends. 

AXM #1

The X-Men, having no clue yet who really sent the bamfs, are sucked into a portal leading to the afterlife and soon discover that they're in for the fight of their lives.

Aaron has brought out some vintage characterization in this series so far, as well as real heart. The narration from Nightcrawler, and his commentary on these people he cares so much for, is being used to very good effect. 

Readers are reminded why Storm was considered a goddess. It had little to do with her powers and everything to do with her indomitable will.

AXM #2

We see Iceman and what he's truly capable of. We all know him to be the one ever ready with a joke, often eschewing responsibility when he can, but when push comes to shove, he's there for his friends.

AXM #2

Northstar is the one quickest to go to anyone's aid, whatever the cost.

AXM #2

And Logan...Wolverine is the one who'll never give up, especially where his best friend is concerned.

AXM #4

This book is a perfect blend of action and heart. We have fast-paced, swashbuckling adventure with the rather unusual element of demonic pirates (pirates being a classic Kurt Wagner element), but Aaron doesn't let us forget the underlying essence of the team -- they are a group of people who genuinely care for one another. This is like Pirates of the Caribbean for comics.

AXM #3

Amazing X-Men is so much more than the return of Nightcrawler. It's also been a return, for many, to the family feeling of the X-Men. I can only speak for myself, but this is something I've sorely missed in recent years. 

Aaron's writing has been inspired so far, and McGuinness' art brings the series to breathtaking light.

As if this golden book wasn't enough for fans, we've recently learned that, in April, Herr Wagner's calender will be even more full when Chris Claremont, the man responsible for launching the X-Men to fame,  returns once again to the fold to write a Nightcrawler on-going solo!

Nightcrawler #1

We've only gotten hints to the content as yet. We know Kurt and Logan will be out in the world, in what appears to be something of a  'buddy book format', and that Kurt will be coming to terms with all that's changed in his absence. From Schism -- the fracturing of Xavier's dream and the X-Men just after Kurt's death -- to his best friend's complete turnaround, from AvX and the mutant gene being reignited, to the death of Xavier, from Hank bringing the original five X-Men out of time and into the present and risking the fabric of reality to Kitty's apparent abandonment of her friends to join Cyclops' revolution, there are plenty of changes for him to take in. This is a vastly different landscape than the one he left behind. If Claremont is writing, there's no doubt it will be an epic adventure.

The incredibly talented Todd Nauck is on art and from what I've seen so far, this will be a treat in and of itself!

B&W preview art for Nightcrawler by Todd Nauck