Astonishing X-Men #26

I think that the idea that Warren Ellis phones in all of his superhero work has become viral and is assumed because it has, in the past, been the case. This read a lot like a writer who was finding his x legs a lot quicker than most. 

I am glad that we have left the era of Scott being a little crybaby. Joss did a lot to facilitate that transition, and Warren and others are pushing it along nicely. The Wolverine/ Armor interplay is allowing for a continuation of what is for me the most interesting of Logan's character traits - his desire to be every female teenage mutant's crazy-but-reliable uncle. Also, I'm an absolute sucker for anyone who can really nail Emma down. She's far and away my favorite marvel character, and she's frequently mishandled.


The layouts are extraordinary, they forced me to slow down - this issue took a considerable amount more time to read than any other books on my stack - without ever being difficult or confusing. I'm not over the moon about the colouring, but that's certainly not a deal-breaker. Over all, I think this is the strongest work I've seen Simone Bianchi do, but I'll admit that this is only the fourth or fifth story of his I've read.

I was really hesitant about this book, but I have to say that I'm pleasantly surprised.