X-Men

• Title: Amazing X-Men #3
• Comic Vine: link
• Writer: Jason Aaron
• Artist: Ed McGuinness

After opening up with a fun sequence involving the Beast fighting demonic pirates (which leaves Hank McCoy a very different character at the end of the issue than the man who began it) Amazing X-Men #3 finally begins reuniting Nightcrawler with his former teammates beginning with Storm.

With the fates of the other X-Men not touched on, the main crux of the latest issue deals with McCoy’s unfortunate transformation that certainly suits his moniker and the reunion between Kurt and Ororo that includes a flashback to their time in the mansion and might have brought them both to tears if there weren’t an entire ship full of pirate demons in need of being dispatched.

After two issues of set-up, Amazing X-Men finally starts delivering on the promise of working Nightcrawler back into the group. Although I didn’t expect the level of romantic undertones we get here, I love the reunion between the pair and can’t wait to see where they go from here. Worth a look.

[Marvel, $3.99]

• Title: Uncanny X-Men #16
• Comic Vine: link
• Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
• Artist: Kris Anka

Crossover-free, the latest issue of Uncanny X-Men deals with ongoing theme of Magneto‘s relationship with Cyclops‘ team of X-Men and just how trustworthy the former super-villain truly is. After talking with Dazzler (who isn’t really Dazzler) at a pro-mutant rally, a frustrated Magneto takes her advice in checking out the goings on in Madripoor where mutants have set up a new home.

In the foreign country once ruled by HYDRA, Magneto will find old friends, the temptation of a new home, and learn Mystique‘s secret. Over the first fifteen issues of the series the idea of Magneto betraying Scott Summers and the X-Men has loomed large. However, Magneto’s response to Mystique and her offer is far from expected.

Lost in the various discoveries Magneto makes is an offhand remark Mystique makes to her old friend (while in the role of Dazzler) suggesting the death of Charles Xavier may have damaged Magneto far more than anyone suspects. With the character getting his own series it will be interesting to see how this will be explored in the coming months. Worth a look.

[Marvel, $3.99]

• Title: Uncanny X-Men #15
• Comic Vine: link
• Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
• Artist: Kris Anka

The Inhumanity tie-in (Marvel’s winter event cross-over) offers a look at the female members of the team (Magik, Jean Grey, Celeste, Irma, Phoebe, Tempus, and Kitty Pryde) who Emma Frost leads out for a little shopping in London. Their normal night out is sadly cut short by the presence of an Inhuman cocoon and the birth of a new Inhuman.

The Inhumans have never really interested me as anything but minor supporting characters in larger Marvel events so I’m not too keen on yet another cross-over event I’m less than thrilled about looking to hijack another book I want to read. That said, I really enjoyed this issue for the interactions between the various members of the team before running into the newborn Inhuman.

With the addition of some of the time-displaced X-Men and Kitty Pryde, Cyclops‘ team of X-Men is growing larger (and less reliant on former super-villains). With the teasing of Magneto‘s eventual betrayal it will be interesting to see how much more shake-up we see in the team over the course of 2014. Worth a look.

[Marvel, $3.99]

• Title: Amazing X-Men #2
• Comic Vine: link
• Writer: Jason Aaron
• Artist: Ed McGuinness

Although he narrates much of the story seen in the second issue of the new series, Nightcrawler himself is absent from all but the final panel of Amazing X-Men #2. Instead the comic focuses on Iceman, Firestar, and Storm trying to survive Hell and Northstar‘s sheer glee at getting to fight flying pirates in Heaven (where Wolverine runs into an old friend).

The image of Iceman literally freezing Hell over is humorous but I was a bit perplexed why Bobby was able to stave off the heat for so long (as he goes from nearly melting in a puddle to pushing his powers, even in the best conditions, far beyond their limits). Northstar’s joy at the absurdity of the situation he finds himself in is also amusing (even if I’ve never been much of a fan of the character).

Despite his voice commenting on actions and events he couldn’t possibly be witnessing, the comic is missing the character who the entire first arc of the series is named after on. Because of this the second issue isn’t as strong (or as interesting) as the first, but it’s still worth a look.

[Marvel, $3.99]