This issue of Manifest Destiny is what X-Men minis should be. In my review of Manifest Destiny #1 I chastized the X-books for focusing on small, boring, third/fourt-teir c/d-stringers.

In issue 3 (of 5), the stories focus on one new character (I must have been asleep if they’ve previously introduced this character because his face, name, story and powers ring absolutely no bells in my memory) and two of the biggest and best X-Men names that don’t get too much facetime in the othe X-Books.

The A-story, as is the case with issues 1 and 2 as well, focuses on Bobby Drake and his struggles with Mystique. Throughout this mini-series these stories have saved the issues. This chapter is the best so far. At the end of issue 2, we left Mr. Drake in a dying mess. We pick up this issues as he describes how he survives. ((Note: I didn’t click spoiler alerts because I doubted anyone thought that Bobby Drake, an origional X-man was going to die in the pages of a 5-issue mini. If I was mistaken, I apologize)) The way in which he shakes death is a quite ingenious solution. It shows the thoughtfulness and creativity of the writer, Mike Carey. Michael Ryan’s pencils continue to be solid and visually intriguing.

Jonas Graymalkin (I assume of Lane fame? or a decendant of such), the afformentioned newer character, is the focus of the second story. With just a hint of Hank McCoy, this story is readable but doesn’t quite work as well as the stories about X-Men who we know and love.

Finally, this chapter concludes with a touch of heart. The X-Men family, as well as many of the fans, has been torn apart, yet again, by death. This story focuses on the death of Kitty Pryde and its effect on Piotr. Sure these pages seem to be about dealing with greif but in actuality the true theme of this story is family. Logan and Kurt attempt, in a couple intriguing and humorous ways, to cheer up their berieved commrade. On the final page we are given catharsis and an admitedly cute ending.