I've already stated that I think Broo is a fantastic character. This page is one of the reasons why. For those of you who've not read the book and don't mind SPOILERS read on. Everyone else skip the next paragraph.
So in this issue, the school is attacked, some of the X-Men are stuck in miniature form fighting brood inside of Kitty. Most students are locked in panic rooms as everyone tries to figure out what is going on. Outside, Professor Starblood who's attacking the school with his brood, beats up on Kroaka. Meanwhile inside the mention, we have little Broo, hearing the voices of the mini Broo inside of Kitty but not knowing where they come from, slip away from the others and following the voices to Kitty's bed in the infirmary.
What I love about this page more than anything is that here you really see, this little guy is really just a kid! What 12? Younger? I am not sure. Sure Broo is smart and articulate but he IS a child. He doesn't even realize that he's probably creeping Kitty out by sneaking up on her while the school is under attack. He just walks up to her (his teacher!) in her hospital outfit and puts his head on her stomach.
Sure we as the reader know what's going on, but that last panel, Broo with his ear on Kitty's stomach, her expression, his expression... it's perfect. That's something a kid would do. No adult would act this way because we all know what personal space is. I love the fact that little Broo is so... intrigued about the voices, that he totally ignores Kitty, something that is beautifully picked up by her expression, as well as her expression in the previous panel. Her body language speaks of protecting her stomach (although she knows what's going on) rather than anything else.
If you look at Nick Bradshaw's art, he very much pays attention to story in story and very little he does seems haphazard. It's something that keeps me reading; everyone working on this book seems to actually really care about it and the characters, which we all know isn't always a given.
There are also several inkers listed for this issue but since this page is in pencil I will assume they inked a blueline copy. The names listed are Walden Wong, Jay Leisten, Norman Lee and Cam Smith. Who actually inked this page, I unfortnately have no clue (yet).
In conclusion, GO BROO! And thanks again to Randy (I stole the scans from the old website, but I will rescan these once I get my old scanner up and running again)
