I'm so glad that this crossover happened. I know people have been beating down on this storyline, saing that it's contrived, boring, and that the characters haven't been acting like themselves. Ludicris, I tell you! Besides it's involvement in Messiah Complex, I don't remember Uncanny X-Men being as exciting and well paced as this story. The book has been in sleep mode ever since Ed Brubaker started his run, and it hasn't been until recently that Matt Fraction has been slowly making improvements. Well, with this conclusion issue, the pot has definitely boiled over, and with the way the writing is coming along and the new status quo, Uncanny X-Men has become a must read book for me.

The best thing about Fraction's writing is his characterization of Cyclops. For most writers, it's far too easy to fall into the trap of making Cyke seem like a wussy and whiny boy scout. Fraction also plays up Cyke's leadership trait, but in a different way. The Cyclops here is all about plans and tactics, and not just commanding the X-Men to bum rush the Dark Avengers. It's also good to see him as a commander who cares about every single one of his people, since I feel that in his stereotypical portrayal, he's also written as a souless leader who just pushes his men and women to the front line.

The art was all different types of amazing, as well. Mike Dedato steamrolled through his portion of the book with impressive action and character scenes. Of course, his specialty is the dark and gloomy scenes, and there are some great ones here, especially the Dani Moonstar reveal. The Dodsons put their stamp on the book, drawing the prolouge and a scene on the mental plane. Their art on this issue wasn't as spectacular as Dedato's work, but still nice to look at. Also, the change in art isn't jarring, as it all meshes together.

The only thing about the issue that I'm curious about is the status quo for now on. When you see Utopia and hear Cyclops describe what he hopes it to be, I immediatly thought of Genosha, and someone else brought up Cable's own utopia, Providence. I'm having a hard time beleving that Cyclops things this is a good idea, since those two aformentioned mutant meccas have had nothing but headaces and heartbreaks, and both were ultimatly destroyed. And come to think of it, weren't the X-Men against Providence, which Cable built for the same reason as the X-Men's reason to create Utopia??

Minor complaints aside, I'm glad that there was finally a story in Uncanny X-Men that I was able to get excited for and enjoy, and I'm glad this issue wraped everything up in a very satisfying manner.