This is the first review in a new subsection of the Book Review here on the Tamster's Hang Out. I decided that since I have a Gambit and the X-Men section that I would review some of the X-Men novels that have crossed my path. The first one is Law of the Jungle by Dave Smeds. In this book, only about half the team is utilized which gives it a great chance for character development.

Sauron, the Pterodactyl-like energy vampire, has come back to the Savage Land. The guardians of this prehistoric world that is hidden in Antarctica, Ka-Zar and Shanna the She-Devil, have decided to call in help, namely the X-Men. Wolverine, Storm, the Beast, Iceman, Psylocke, Archangel, and Cannonball answer the call.

Having fought Sauron before, the X-Men believe that this will be an easy fight. However, Sauron has changed. No longer is he boastful and overconfident, now he has become cool, calm, and collected. He has a plan and the X-Men are about to walk right into it.

I think one of the best things about this book are the character developements. Dave Smeds gets inside the heads of the X-Men. He explores Warren's fears of Sauron dating back to their first meeting. More is done on Storm's need to control her emotions so she doesn't disrupt weather patterns. Mr. Smeds also focuses on teamwork between members of the X-Men, how their unique experiences and powers compliment each other and give them an edge over the villians they face.

This book has everything an X-Men comic has except the constant visual artwork, but Dave Smeds verbal artwork more than makes up for it. I must say that as much as I enjoy reading comics, I enjoy reading books so much more and this book is one of the reasons.