Brief and to the point: This was the best issue of this series in quite a while. Grummett’s art is firing on all cylinders; every character is perfectly rendered, every model is consistent and the layouts are great (especially for the action sequences). The coloring is particularly good in this issue as well; it’s reminded many readers of the ’90s X-Men cartoon, but in issues like this there’s no question that the art is too good to call “cartoony”. Claremont’s script had no flaws or detrimental “Claremontisms” this time around. The conversation between Hank and Jean, Rogue’s monologue–moments like these feel like they were written by the Claremont of old, as if he never lost a step, and that’s a good thing. If you’re the sort of reader who fondly remembers back to specific X-“character moments” from 20-25 years ago, you need to check this issue out. He’s been iffy in recent times, but Claremont really nailed this issue. The retcon/action-oriented plotline was fun as well, and the issue ends on a villain-reveal that feels real good, in a nostalgic sort of way.

Bottom line: I’m generally a hardass when it comes to rating things, but this series is well worth my $4 every time out. Yeah it has really glaring flaws sometimes, but it proves genuinely entertaining even more often. It reminds me why I ever cared about comic books, and these characters in particular, to begin with.