The Mutants serial is very well-written. Each character is well-defined, with their own nuances and concerns. I really like that these super-powered people used their powers in the ways ordinary people might—sometimes selfishly, sometimes to help, and sometimes walking a line between right and wrong. And sometimes, going over the line.

The Mutants is a tragedy, played out over time and through the lives of its characters.  This is not a happy story, with cheerful characters.  And, for me, that makes it utterly realistic.  If a small group of people suddenly developed mutations and powers, I’m sure the rest of the world would react in the way the world of the Mutants does:  with fear and trembling.  Existing in such an environment, and with their own bodies failing them, the Mutants are not happy characters, and react to the situation they are in with feelings that ring true.

The atmosphere is grim and gritty, the characters have living personalities, and the suffering is something you can’t help but react to.  These are characters you worry about, like friends who are caught in a war zone.  It’s not easy reading, by any means, but in some ways that is what is beautiful about it.  Sonja Nitschke doesn’t pull any punches, she hits you full force and with no apologies.  Her characters bleed, and you weep with them.

But that makes for amazing writing.

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I freaking love The Mutants.

This phrase has a double meaning—I love both the story and the titular heroes, who are, in fact . . . not really heroes.

Mutants is a superhero story on the surface, a tale of people discovering amazing abilities thanks to [more . . .]

Undeniably The Mutants has a premise to kill.  The author, Sonja Nitschke takes the run of the mill superhero story and adds a tragic twist.  Instead of being the saviors, her hero’s are instead in need of saving.

What makes the story good is not how fantabulous her hero’s powers are or how graphic a fight is, but instead how Nitschke works in a realistic reaction of both the world at large to her protagonist unnatural gifts, as well as the hero/victims own thoughts about their tedious situation.  This makes for a tragic tale that makes you think; in considering how accurately you believe that the author describes human interactions and reactions, the tale gains interest.  Unfortunately, she does not always manage to create believable characters, for someone who so insightfully describes the thoughts of some characters, she seems to completely miss the target with others.  She occasionally creates a character so neurotic and dysfunctional that the suspension of disbelief fails.  One more problem that this story has, is that for stretches of time, absolutely nothing happens.  The story can get caught in a loop of reconsidering the same thoughts and actions of a character till you frankly don’t want to know what they are thinking. 

Overall, I respect and recommend this tale especially in that it uses its premise as a means, not an end.  The characters are varied though equally neurotic.  However, the plot and story could use some editing as some chapters seem to have simply been rewritten in a need to post something regularly.  With a more clear direction, but not necessarily change in characters or themes, this could become a much more readable work.

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