Well, this is going to be controversial. But yes, I’ll admit it: I bought X-Women. And I bought it because of the artist.

I suffered for it, though. I picked it up on a visit back home to Liverpool, and managed to arrive at the counter just as the only people behind the till were the two women (one of whom is the manager) that work there. They, of course, proceeded to spend a good couple of minutes scoffing at the cover, and while not commenting at me directly, making me feel like some kind of grubby pervert. It felt like double-standards, really, because I doubt they snark at anyone buying a Greg Land-drawn issue of Uncanny X-Men. And it’s not like I was buying Tarot or anything. Besides, in their haste to sneer, they’d missed a crucial point – Milo Manara is really, really good.

Okay, yes, he’s really really good at drawing erotica. But there’s nothing wrong with that in and of itself. While a lot of his past work is essentially pornographic, it’s not like it’s a product of the porn industry (and it’s the industry rather than the concept that surely any feminist with their head in any way screwed on – of which I count myself one – should have a problem with). I see nothing wrong with provocative, even titillating artwork, so long as it’s not portraying acts that exceed my own boundaries or sensibilities – and so long as it’s in the right context. Which is where, of course, so much of comics goes wrong. I don’t need to rattle off a list of characters from superhero comics that are cheapened (“exploited” is probably the wrong word when talking about a fictional character, but I think “degraded” or “objectified” would suit) by the way they’re designed or drawn, irrespective of their actual character traits; or a list of artists who are the most guilty of drawing them that way (or blatantly tracing their faces from porn mags, cough) – you all know the score by now, and you know from previous rants on here how little truck both James and I have with that sort of thing.

Yet there’s a distinct difference between “that sort of thing” – which generally appears in all-ages superhero comics that simply don’t call for it – and what Manara does, which is clearly signposted and intended to be enjoyed as, well, erotic. Furthermore, he has a body of work that could in no way accused of being exploitative or misogynistic – it’s a love of female sensuality that drives his work, and he’s also distinctive for a particularly playful sensibility. This even extends to some of the work he’s done previously for American publishers – the Desire story in Sandman: Endless Nights (the first time I encountered him) is deeply erotic without being in any way pervy. Of course, the line is blurred somewhat by having him apply this style to established Marvel heroines – and I think that’s where most people’s problem (those who had one) with the book lay, as it could be looked at as little more than giving fans something to leer over.

Yet I think part of the book’s intent is that in having Manara draw these characters in this story, in a setting and tone that they wouldn’t usually be found, it’s actually relatively in keeping with his playful – almost mischievous – nature. Furthermore, the book is clearly marked as standalone, and a distinct object, by its one-shot status, its title, its rating (it’s not a “mature” book, but it’s not all ages either) and even its cover. This isn’t supposed to be an in-continuity story, picked up by regular followers of the characters in their main series (in fact, its US publication is a reprint, it having initially seen print in Manarar’s native Italy). It’s honest about what it’s supposed to be – it’s not a series of upskirt shots masquerading as the latest issue of Supergirl. And hell, it’s not like it even actually contains any actual sex or nudity. I’m not saying it sticks to noble aims perfectly, mind – there are a couple of moments that I do find uncomfortable (“bamboo gags”? Er…), although I’d also suggest that they could be put down to the writer (Chris Claremont, clearly aware that he’s not considered the draw for this particular work, works largely on autopilot here).

Nevertheless, it’s simply an absolutely gorgeous book – and I’m not just talking about the female characters, either. Because a point that’s easy to miss when discussing his work’s content is that Manara is, any way you look at it, a technically gifted artist. Perhaps it’s even that simple fact that makes me overlook the borderline-porn aspect of a lot of his work when I wouldn’t for the likes of Land and co – but it’s a simple fact that can’t be denied. It’s worth noting that his work would look beautiful even if there weren’t any women in it – he’s absolutely a modern master of his field, as good at character work and landscapes as pretty much anyone working in US comics (I’d even include Quitely in that).

So, yes. I bought X-Women for the art, and I enjoyed it for the art. It’s not something I think Marvel should be publishing every month, and it’s a little distasteful in places – but it’s an experiment, it’s a bit of fun, and it features art of a quality that you’ll very rarely see in this format.