Written by Mike Carey

Art by Humberto Ramos, Carlos Cuevas and Edgar Delgado

Marvel Comics $2.99

Dealing with Rogue being shot by Mystique, the return of the Marauders, losing the Omega Sentinel and Lady Mastermind to the mental possession of Malice and then having to not be killed by the Marauders as Mystique has ordered, the X-Men divide and..well, they pretty much lose and hide. Meanwhile, back at the mansion, the New X-Men are given another grim prediction by Blindfold and, as Colossus and Kitty Pryde try to figure things out, some hostile visitors show up at the door with threats to kill. Shitty time to have an x-gene.

This issue features the Apocalypse-powered Sunfire, who looks exactly as he did in Age of Apocalypse, which is great. He’s also incredibly powerful, but lately my focus while reading this book is the usually wonderful work of Humberto Ramos. Occasionally his art just looks like silly exaggerated manga, like on the first double spread of this issue, but usually it’s flawless, beautiful expressive cartoon-style art. I can’t get enough of it. I especially like the way he draws faces, they’re colored and shaded perfect, which certainly help, but Ramos has an eye for clean lines and detail without looking too busy or crowded. The backgrounds are always incredibly simple, which make the complex action look even more in your face. I hope he stays on this title for quite awhile.

I was glad to see the New X-Men show up in a more popular title, even if it was in complete defiance to continuity(they are in limbo with demo Illiyana Rasputin right now), just because they are such great characters. It looks like next issue we might get to see Colossus, Pryde and the New X-Men throw down together, which is a rather exciting prospect.