Graphic Novel Review - 'Astonishing X-Men: Kitty Pryde - Shadow & Flame' by Akira Yoshida (Writer), Paul Smith (Artist), Joe Rubenstein (Inker), Chris Walker (Colourist), Christina Strain (Colourist)

I've read this comic twice in my life - the first time I practically forgot all about it. While my three-star rating of 'Astonishing X-Men: Kitty Pryde - Shadow & Flame' hasn't changed on my second read, I nonetheless enjoyed it.

Its biggest flaw is that it lacks depth. Deep emotional resonance and development are needed in a story like this, especially for what is essentially a sequel to 'X-Men: Kitty Pryde & Wolverine'. Kitty's severe PTSD from that miniseries is barely touched on beyond surface level in 'Shadow & Flame'; one or two freezes and nightmares aside, overall it is not made into a big deal. It isn't explored, isn't given a resolution, and isn't remembered in the last couple issues. This is maddening.

However, at least Kitty Pryde, no longer a slightly naive teenage girl (I think she's no longer a teenager..?), has grown into a badass, excelling most other characters, including other X-Men, in intelligence, planning, cunning, wit, snark, fighting skills (she's literally a ninja master - something that was forced on her in 'Kitty Pryde and Wolverine', not that this comic acknowledges and examines that fact much), and in using her mutant powers to their fullest potential. The comic hasn't forgotten she can fly, I'll give it credit for that!

On the other claw, it seems to have forgotten about her codename, Shadowcat, which originated in 'Kitty Pryde & Wolverine'. It's never mentioned.

Plus, Kitty sends Wolverine an email at the beginning when she arrives in Japan again, and after that, he is forgotten about too!

This comic is solid - a solid mess. Kinda. It's a fun and breezy 'Kitty Pryde' story, that loves and respects her, but its underdeveloped elements are infuriating. Another problem is it's too short, and too fast-paced.

I adore Kitty. She is my favourite X-Man, and one of my favourite female superheroes. As well as showing her to be an awesome and capable hero (wasted potential with her PTSD aside), I'm keeping 'Astonishing X-Men: Kitty Pryde - Shadow & Flame' mainly because I wish to own a 'Kitty Pryde' solo title. How many of them are there? Certainly less than how many Wolverine's got, I'll tell you that! She's criminally underrated, underused and underappreciated. Why are there no modern titles starring her as, well, a star? Is she still currently an X-Men leader and school principal? I don't keep up with what's going on with the X-Men in the comics.

(It's undoubtably got to be better than what the movies have done, I'm sure.)

I still hardly know anything about her pet dragon Lockheed, whose species sets the plot up for 'Shadow & Flame', as another of his kind (female, of course) is in Japan. He's apparently her best friend, who she will do anything for, and risk everything for. How they met is not explained to the readers. Things happen too fast.

Well, for a fun time with Kitty Pryde regardless, I recommend 'Astonishing X-Men: Kitty Pryde - Shadow & Flame'. At the very least, buying more books about her might finally induce the heads of Marvel to make further comics with her in a lead role. Remind them that not only does she exist, but she is among the best, and it's not solely about female empowerment and representation. She deserves attention - more mainstream attention, anyway - for the same reason any other popular superheroes do: because she is awesome.

Final Score: 3/5