Dark Reign: The List: X-Men:

First thought: Chris Claremont.  
Not today’s Claremont, who can’t seem to stop typing long after lights-out, but the guy behind the books I remember from my wee laddy youth.  We’ve got Namor showing up to “not” ask for help after Osborn has set his sights on the underwater realm, the X-folks teaming up like I haven’t seen in a long time, trying trick after trick to negate the impending doom, and sharp dialogue. This is quality stuff. I should mention that I haven’t read Xbooks in quite some time, ever since the finale of Astonishing, but seeing an Alan Davis book on the shelves is nigh-irresistible. The constantly under-rated artist is at it again, knowing every action, movement and facial expression right out of the panels and into your face. He’s one comics mainstay that I’m glad stayed main.

Highlight of the issue, as quality as it was, happen to be the little intro boxes that learn ye a little bit of each character and their powers as they appear in the issue. I usually skip over them, knowing who the characters are for the most part, but them’s pretty funny stuff. Example: “Piotr Rasputin–Colossus. Organic Steel. Fastball tops out at 220MPH.”…..”Logan–Wolverine. Adamantium Skeleton, Claws. Currently traveling at 220MPH”

Not sure if I should keep reading X-Men from here on out, this issue was so great that I’m afraid that the next one will disappoint.

-JD
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