The List #23 part 1

Before I begin, I have to apologize for being a full week late with all these reviews, but I've been ill since last Tuesday and still am a little.

Dark Avengers #14
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Artist: Mike Deodato
Those of you who hate the Sentry with all your heart will probably be disappointed by this issue because yet again it is dominated by He-who-won't-die. Luckily there are some other developments this issue that are absolutely Bendis Awesome (which is a top-tier level of awesome). And Deodato continues to be top-f#@%ing-notch.

This issue opens with Victoria Hand confronting Osborn, demanding he get psychiatric help or she will leave. She also alerts him to Moonstone and Bullseye f@%$ing in the conference room. In front of H.A.M.M.E.R. agents.






Here's an awesome Bendis moment because anyone can claim a villain is crazy. People have claimed Emma Frost was crazy, but her 'crazy' was tame enough, she was still civilized and mostly obeying social norms when she wasn't being villainous. Moonstone and Bullseye are screwing in public. Thank you Bendis for showing rather than saying.

Also, Hand notes that Moonstone is working her way through the team. Do know that this isn't a new development, in Ellis' Thunderbolts Moonstone's ultimate plan was to run the Thunderbolts (and again, in there she had been Osborn's right hand). And I can only imagine what her plan will be in Luke Cage's Thunderbolts considering she's the only female team member and will likely be submitted to sexist crap.

Anyway, Hand decides to go break up the party. And when Moonstone gets in her face she pulls out a gun and zaps her. Pretty hxc of Hand.

But then everything is cut short by The Sentry. Who's tantruming, destroying New York as villains do. At least it's done by the Void this time, who is loads more entertaining and just a more likable character. And he's also aware of Osborn's manipulations. Apparently the Void wants to create a world where Robert Reynolds and Lindy can't live in, but can't actually kill Lindy himself. Osborn and him finally come to an agreement which later is specified to be Osborn ordering Bullseye to kill Lindy. Which is wonderful because I feel like Bullseye has lost a lot of his 'cool' factor that he had in Ellis' Thunderbolts. Conclusion: I'd seriously consider buying this issue unless you absolutely cannot stand The Sentry.

Spider-Woman #6
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Artist: Alex Maleev
This issue starts and ends with two awkward double spread pages. The first is awkward because a large part of the double spread is Spider-Woman's ass. Basically this issue is about Spider-Woman fighting off Osborn's new Thunderbolts. So yes, it's basically an extended fight scene, but it's not like a Fraction fight scene (with a beginning, a conclusion but no meat). It's actually probably one of the better issues of this series.

I have to say I found Maleev a little off this issue, especially when it came to when Jessica sent a venom blast that exploded near the Thunderbolts. It was just very static seeming and Black Widow in particular, who's in the center, looked more like she was just taking a lazy jump rather than trying to jump out of the way of an explosion. The rest of them generally just look similarly unphased by the explosion, static, or paralyzed.

Jessica ends up beating up half of them with her cleverness. And at one point she hides in a dumpster. Which I found to be the perfect opportunity to make what is hopefully the world's first LOLSpider-Woman.

In the end of the issue, Jessica just blows up the Thunderbolts' ship and calls it a day. And here's where the awkward ending double-spread comes in. It's just Jessica flying in the air with her fists out. No real transition to this. No panels on the page. Just her. Her fists. And a city background. Conclusion: Despite the awkward sandwich, I'd definitely recommend buying this issue.

Psylocke #4
Writer: Chris Yost
Artist: Harvey Tolibao
Welcome to the last issue review for Yost's angst-ridden Psylocke mini-series. Unfortunately we're ending off this series with Wolverine overexposure in the form of an 'epic' fight scene spanning most of the issue.

The issue begins with Wolverine and Psylocke exchanging the traditional "You don't have to do this, back away now!" and many other cliched comic book phrases. But Psylocke predictably does not back down, and her hair and sashes find themselves in agreement on this as they all take the poised form of the letter s!

Anyway, they fight and it's predictably not that dangerous because both of them are popular characters so no damage is going to stick to either of them. Psylocke ends up jamming the totality of her telekinesis/telepathy/Phoenix Force powers into Wolverine's noggin and causes him to release THE INNER BEAST!! OH NOES!!! Luckily, Rage Man (I honestly can't even remember his real name now) interrupts by throwing Logan out of the way. And he does this...naked. Don't remember why he's naked either:

Oh and he forgives Betsy now apparently and they cool. Which...I never saw coming! Yes! This is completely new to me! In order to end the fighting, Betsy pulls the ultimate angsty move of this series and decides to end the fight by offering to Logan to kill her. He refuses, but says they're going to talk about her death wish. Which makes her sounds a lot like Jessica Drew. Again, Psylocke is the X-Man's version of Spider-Woman.

In the end, Psylocke mercy kills Matsu'o. Then comes the best scene of this entire series:

I cannot believe she just told one of the students she killed someone. Seriously, Xavier's School for Child Abuse! Starts off with Colossus beating up half the student body, followed by a chunk of the team constantly covered in blood, and ending with even the sane-ish mentor figures going around being like, "I killed a man today, do your fucking homework or you'll be the next!" I'm just waiting for the day that Emma comes out of the bathroom, just glances down at Trance and is like, "I just did three lines of blow in the bathroom. Know where I can score some hallucinogenic Pixie dust?"

Conclusion: This issue is mostly mediocre and honestly, most of the series isn't all that amazing. But I would recommend buying issue one to all Psylocke fans.

The List #8 part 1

Ms. Marvel #44
Writer: Brian Reed
Artist: Sana Takeda

This biweekly's serving of Ms. Marvel was less than thrilling. And Sana Takeda, that blasted Anime artist, is back. What's worse is I find myself liking him/her sometimes. The issue begins with Moonstone finding Ms. Marvel's attack on Norman unintelligent and out of character while Norman is like "The threat is gone, stop thinking!" I find this to be totally un-Norman like considering how absolutely paranoid he is. Plus, he's usually drawn the look like Nixon for heaven's sake, of course he's got to have the paranoia.

The Catherine Donovan plot continued slowly and painfully. The girl is more boring than white bread. On the other side, what the hell is with Ms. Marvel's Illyria from Angel routine? Isn't Ares doing a good enough job of narcissistic speechifying? That or she ends up sounding like the Phoenix. And don't even get me started with this shit:

Jean is regretting her decision to play God right about now.

Also, the issue involves the Dark Avengers going to fetch Catherine Borington. I have to say that I LOVE the DA team, I find it extremely unfortunate that Fraction is dominating the DA title right now because Brina Michael Bendis was producing GOLD.

Also, Karla was fun again this issue, not amazing considering Reed has no idea how to use a wonderfully bitchy character, but we get tidbits like these that shine:

Half of the reason I love this is because this is SO something I've said before.

Overall, issue was plain and left me with little to say, which is disappointing considering how much I liked the last issue.

Gotham City Sirens #3
Writer: Scott Lobdell
Artist: Guillem March

This issue was mad heavy with the word bubbles, but Lobdell made it work. The issue focuses on the "new" Batman and the reformed Riddle solving a case. We only get two seconds of the girls. I don't even understand why the fuck this happened because honestly I buy Gotham City Sirens FOR THE GIRLS. Someone said in a review that the series would be better without the series titular characters. I say, how fucking dumb are you? Gotham Girls is about the GOTHAM GIRLS. If it's not working, then you redo the deal, but WITH THE GIRLS.

At least we get Poison Ivy love along with her powers reacting to her emotions:

What wasn't fun and in fact, totally offensive because it was a bunch of female objectification, was the shop "owner's work outfit":

I think the only occupations that accept this as work attire are rock star, stripper, and whore. and to add insult to injury, during the fight scene her fucking skirt when up.
Leave this issue on the shelves for feminism's sake.

Dark X-Men The Beginning #3

Writer #1: Paul Cornell
Artist #1: Leonard Kirk

Finally, in this thankfully last issue, we have the Emma story. Except I have SO little to say on it. First question, why is Emma in her Dark X-Men outfit in her astral form? Shouldn't she be in her true identity? Y/y? She also almost sounds like herself when she gets pissed off about Namor not actually loving mutants, then goes, "Oh whatever, I don't actually give the much of a shit!" Which I couldn't tell if she really meant it or was being sarcastic then. For those who would argue the answer is clear, she cares, let me say that two years ago Emma was not Momma Mutation. She was amoral, bitchy Emma, aka THE REAL ONE. Maybe Cornell has the good sense to try and revive her. Whatever.

Writer #2: Jason Aaron
Artist #2: Jock

Probably one of the better stories of this series, it centers around Mystique and Osborn. Definitely read what you can of it, some can be found here. For once, the character being recruited actually feels like the center of the story rather than the story focusing on how Osborn is a bully. The biker ass-kicking scene was full of awesome and I have to say I adore this panel:

Writer #3: Simon Spurrier
Artist #3: Paul Davidson

This story was probably my favorite out of the series. It focuses on Aurora, Northstar's twin sister and I happen to be quite sad that her spicyness did not join the horribly mundane Dark X-Men. And she totally one-upped Osborn. Look for the story in the same journal I linked for the Mystique story.

The List #5

Dark X-Men: The Beginning #2

Writer #1: Paul Cornell
Artist #1: Leonard Kirk

Before I begin, I just have to compliment the cover artists Jae Lee and June Chung for their work on this series. Their covers are gorgeous and what they're doing on such a half-assed project as this is beyond me.

The first story is about Norman bullying Cloak and Wall*Mart brand Dazzler into joining the Dark X-Men. It is really as unremarkable as that and honestly Norman bullies [insert name] into joining the Dark X-Men seems to be the general idea for this book. What's worse is Norman right now is already getting too much exposure, aka the Wolverine treatment, and his character is losing it's strong appeal. Written correctly, he is a creative and fun villain marching to the beat of his own drummer and forcing everyone else to join him. Written like he is here, he's just...Doom. Loki. Magneto under Fraction. He's anybody.

Writer #2: Marc Bernardin and Adam Freeman
Artist #2: Michael Lacombe

Norman bullies Weapon Omega to join the Dark X-Men. I'm sad to see two writers attached to a one third story. That felt totally unoriginal. Worst of all was the artist who gave as an anger-inducing portrayal of the human face:

He looks like Dave Williams from Desperate Housewives. Dave Williams was a character that was pathetic, had a baby face on an older man, and tried to play pity party since he was dealt a bad hand. Except he keeps on fucking things up for himself. Anyway, I hated the character upon meeting him and am glad he's dead so you can imagine how pissy I am to see an artist who's stock male face is Dave f#$%ing Williams.

Also, what is it with Norman and bald men? Seriously, Thunderbolts had Bullseye, Marc Gargan as Venom, bald both ways btw, Radioactive Man, Penance, and Swordsman, who shaved his head in one of Ellis' arcs, were ALL BALD. Then when Osborn recruits more people he gets the mohawked Daken, Mystique to impersonate the BALD Xavier, and Weapon Omega. I know there were other men recruited who had hair, but you have to admit, all male Thunderbolts under Osborn being bald and Norman recruiting more just seems very odd to me considering I don't see bald heads on non-senior males often. Like are there any bald ones left? Is he just going to resort to Cassandra Nova next?

Writer #3: Rob Williams
Writer #3: Paco Diaz

Norman bullies Daken into joining the Dark X-Men. Then they also add in the "badass" factor of having Norm and Dak talk about their being crazy and bullshit. Falls flat. Luckily, the writer had total bitch critics like me in mind and partially soothed the asshole within by making these lame "badass" men do what the only thing I think they're good for: taking their clothes off and flexing some muscles!

There's also a panel of him in a thong, but I suspected Photobucket would just delete that.

I know it's sexist of me to say, but good f#%$ing heavens I am so done with forced "badass" characters. I mean Norman is, just not when he's written as poorly as he is here. Final word: Leave this book on the shelvees where it belongs.

Dark Reign: Young Avengers #2
Writer: Paul Cornell
Artist: Mark Brooks

To start, I have to say I love the Gawker media-style blog intro pages. Next, wtf was with the first page? Black with word bubbles of no-new information panels of various news networks relaying what went on with the Young Avengers deal. Absolute waste of space. This issue was not Cornell's best...and I've never really liked Brooks much.

Next I have to say that half of these new Young Avengers I want dead by the end of the arc. Egghead, the Executioner, and "badass" Big Zero. BZ and Eggles are just dumb douchebags. The Executioner is on my shit list in a severe, I-will-ruin-his-name-for-forever-should-he-survive-this-arc way. Here's why:

I consider cat-killing, even in fictional form, a mortal sin. I was absolutely pissed to see this and honestly I hope his death is as disrespectful as an Ultimatum death.

The issue in general had extremely awkward sounding dialogue to me. I just could not see any people talking to each other like that, or replying to someone's thoughts in the way the characters were. Maybe it's just me. Here's an example of the awkwardness:

That and Teddy referred to Billy as William. WTF? Was that a sad attempt at mild humor or cutesyness? Because it fell flat. Finishing up the awkward point, did anyone else find Vision's dramatic scene of wanting to shut down Egghead overdramatic and that his reaction being that strong came out of nowhere?

Closing statements, bad issue, we're dealing with a new set of Young Avengers who are totally half-baked characters who I hope become casulaties of Dark Reign. Even though I only remember Swordsman as the only death thus far. Anyway, when I have more space next time I'm going to set up a list of characters who should die to up the "seriousness" of the Dark Reign deal. Meaning an excuse to send shitty characters to their grave.

Exiles #5
Writer: Jeff Parker
Artist: Casey Jones

This marks the before last issue of this fun reboot to the Exiles series. It's unfortunate, but gives me a chance to talk about series as a whole since I don't have much to say on the issue besides acknowledging that I read it.

Honest truth, this series won't be one I'm heart broken to see go. It was one of those series I wanted to like more than I actually did since I know the formula was right, but I just wasn't being sucked into it. Parker used a wonderful team and even made me like some of the versions he presented in this series more likable to me than their 616 counterparts. Parker's Polaris is a wonderfully twist: From 616 Perpetual Damsel in Distress or mentally unstable character to a true warrior.

Honestly, I feel like Parker tried hard, but just did not bring his A-Game which was absolutely necessary to get this book back after the severe damage done by Claremont. At times the book was too kid-ish and sort of cheesy, especially with the Polaris and Scarlet Witch "sisters" thing. Anyway, more thoughts next issue and I'd say this issue would be worth picking up as long as you're not on a tight, amazing-books-only budget.

Ultimatum X-Men: Requiem
Writer: Aron E. Coleite
Artist: Ben Oliver

I have to apologize before I begin this because this may be a long read, but this is essentially my RIP to the Ultimate universe. I only enjoyed the X-Men part of it and I read just today that the Ultimate teams of no interest in the X-Men deal right now anyway. Not that it matters, all my favorite characters are dead or ruined for good.

I have to say, it was sad to see an original and entertaining universe get degraded to 616-lite. The last arc was used to feature a totally pointless side quest with Rogue and added on more disrespectful deaths, including my favorite, Ultimate Psylocke. Rather than use the whole team together to be epic together one more time, we get this bullshit?

I'm also equally pissed with Ultimatum. If I've loved them, they've died or have been ruined. Gambit, Dazzler, Psylocke, and Emma Frost are all dead. And finally, Northstar, who may only be confined to a wheelchair but honestly do you think he'll ever do anything past cameo ever again?

Most irksome death? Psylocke because she was added in as a last-minute death for the hell of it. And she had the most value. A character, who in the 616 universe is needing some adjusting and TLC, gets the reset button and when certain things are repeated like her transferring her conscious, we get an even better result. What we get is Betsy in an underage body. This is good because it's extremely wrong if they objectify her and ridiculous if they try to make her just a warrior character. The result was a return to Betsy long gone from us, the Betsy of the Aussie years. No SEX APPEAL IN YOUR FACE. No warrior crap. Betsy with creative thinking, questionable morals, and the eyes that catch everything.

To get to the issue a bit, I have to say where are Storm and Colossus? Also, finally Rogue is useful now she's perma-Juggernaut empowered, but at the last fucking minute. Why writers keep her to just her basic powers irks me because then Rogue gets sidelined all the time or her stories are sort of taken down a super hero notch so she can be useful. Another pissy thing is the battered Jean we see. Honestly, she's not even an imitation of Jean 616 anymore, she's a pathetic whimper next to that wonderful character. And it's sad because her original Ultimate personality was amazing.

I do have to give massive compliments to the artist Ben Oliver, this new style is a lot smoother and honestly a lot less ugly than his grittier take earlier in Ult X-Men. Also, I actually found myself LOVING Shadowcat's new costume and I loved that she had guts in a GENUINE badass moment in this issue where she stabbed Sabretooth with Logan's claws.

One last note: Anyone else notice Storm's the only survivor of the Aussie-revival team?
Bishop, Angel, Wolverine, Daz, Psylocke, and Pyro are allll dead.
To conclude, this book is worth buying I think, but it's sad to think that this is the end result of the Ultimate X-Men.

The List #2

X-Men Legacy #226

Writer: Mike Carey
Artist: Dustin Weaver

X-Men Legacy is a book I tune into here and there, but never consistently follow. While Carey is talented, I wouldn't say all his work on this book has been. Nonetheless, I had to check this book out as it turns its direction from Xavier to Rogue especially because of her coming to San Fransisco. I'm also thrilled to see the return of her green and white costume since it's her best in my opinion.

To start, I have to say that I'm bored with Danger's reformed villainess thing. It's highly uninteresting and she should have stayed in comic book limbo or been shipped back to her homeland. Luckily enough, it seems she leaves this book after this arc I believe. She's just a character I've never liked and to make her reform makes her that much less appealing.

I was thrilled to see Psylocke in the previews, but not so psyched to see that was all we see of her. Lot of cameos in this book as well as anything Fraction does. I understand in this crossover it is to demonstrate the community rather than the teams we always see, but this should also be a chance to take some characters out of limbo especially the ones who have not been there for a decade. The cameos of Dragoness and Nekra are especially pointless because I believe that Nekra has never really appeared in the X-Universe or never significantly and there is no oppurtunity for them later. With someone like Carey who actually can write a character with personality, he should be made to use the characters longer than a scene to really give a less shallow feel to this. However there was one cameo I grudgingly did like:

Careful Gambit, her portal may return you to the 80's.
Honestly, the only reason I liked her is because of her flashy factor.

I was absolutely surprised when Moonstone as Ms. Marvel showed up to battle Rogue. It's a fight I didn't think of that totally works. I would also like to thank the artist for this:

Successful crotch coverage. More on this when we get to Ms. Marvel.

To summarize, I felt Carey was sort of lackluster in his writing for this issue. It was sort of plain and not altogether interesting except for a few moments. While I do not recommend this issue, I will be adding the next issue as either review or to the list because I have a feeling next issue will be better. The artist on the otherhand was sort of poorly fit for Utopia. This crossover is more of a dark note in X-History, so the cartoon-y looks of his work ruin some of the feel. Also, the colorist seems to have been focused on using Crayola's basics because this issue is too bright and colorful for me. Leave this one on the shelves unless your a diehard Rogue or Carey fan, but do keep this one in mind next month.

Ms. Marvel #41
Writer: Brian Reed
Artist: Sergio Arino

To start off, let me just say that I love Moonstone and I love her as Ms. Marvel. Unfortunately, this title is on a downhill adventure since she's come aboard. #38 is a must-have for a Moonstone fan and was wonderful, but since then we find ourselves in less and less interesting stories.

What I do enjoy this time around is that the crappy anime artist is gone. This is a book focused around a villain, not a pathetically anti-feminist relationship. So when you see this bullshit:

You sort of want to kick the artist's ass to an Austen book or to some crap attempt at capitalizing on romantic but pathetic tweens like Twilight.

Another point of bitchery that I have that especially affects this issue is the guest appearances. We've got Deadpool's pointless appearance which is really cheesy and f#%$ing annoying. Out of place in fact. I'm not a Deadpool hater, but he needs to be used correctly and in this case i only enjoyed him when he said, "You fight like a psychologist!" The other guest appearances are less annoying, but still irritating sine it's Moonstone! She can carry a book by herself and make it infinitely more interesting than what we're being served now.

This issue also continues the story of the split up Carol Danvers and the baby Modoks. Fucking shitty story that I'm not going to get into except I like Osbourn's reaction to Karla's report of Danvers probably being alive.

I happen to support only four resurrections at this point: Jean Grey because I miss her, Kitty Pryde because it'd be against everything Marvel believes in if she didn't come back, Gertrude Yorkes, and the Dead means Dead rule. This thing of resurrecting someone every two minutes at Marvel lately is more than tired and leaving people unamused. I don't want Carol dead for real, but this "death" thing needs to get reeled in.
Whatever, Carol's back everyone:

And that costume's not covering the crotch correctly. Seriously, Photobucket will probably delete it for how indecent it seems. Marvel artists, please take note of what I'm saying and correctly cover up the Marvel women's crotches and fannies. That or you will be forced to endure every mistake you've made by living it in Hell, unrealistic waists with no coverage with massive boobs while superheroing and all. Leave this one of the shelves, but remember that it's not Karla's fault.

Dark X-Men: The Beginning #1
Writer #1: Paul Cornell
Artist #1: Leonard Kirk

To start, I'd like to say that it seems every time Namor get naked it seems an artist that's too gritty gets assigned. Seriously Marvel, just get Bianchi and his gay porn pencils on this one, you have to serve more than one type of fan and there's one kind that likes Namor mainly for his speedo.

That aside, I have to say I can see the hype about Paul Cornell is well-deserved. He is an excellent writer and I enjoyed this story very much. I also have to come out of the Osbourn-loving closet. Since discovering this Dark Reign event for real, I have to say I've found Osbourn and all his manipulative tactics absolutely thrilling to read. I recommend this part of the story since it's a well written dialogue and there are a couple moments that get a bit dry, but this helps:

Can I wrestle with him next? I'll get naked too to make things fair.
Seriously, folks, he was naked allllll issue.
Writer #2: James Asmus
Artist #2: Jesse Delperdang

The second story featured Mimic and was surprisingly a good read. Not the most interesting, but a good story. Unfortunately, I have a feeling this is the nicest thing I will ever say on Mimic. And I still hope he's one of the casualties of this crossover.

Writer #3: Shane McCarthy
Artist #3: Ibraim Roberson

First off, the art was pretty good for this part of the story. The writing on the otherhand was subpar. I'm convinced that for as long as Dark Beast is in this dimension he will never be interesting because so far this has proven to be true. Endangered Species practically a criminal offense. I've never read AoA, someday I will and I imagine that Dark Beast is wonderful in his native dimension. But here? Never. Especially that lame taunt to Osbourn about letting the beast inside out. Overplayed theme that Ellis did WAY better. And Bendis as well. McCarthy just gave us the cliche.

Overall, I'd say this issue, despite Cornell's wonderfulness, is pretty forgetable. Hopefully next issue improves on this. With an Emma story not written by Fraction.

Secret Invasion: Dark Reign

Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Artist: Alex Maleev
To start, I read a lot of comic books, but do not have people to converse with about them since other comic book readers do not usually read the ones I do (mainly X-Men). So I have a lot to say with no one to say it too. Part of this blog that will be devoted to comic book criticism which will likely relate a lot to Emma Frost.

Anyway, this week's comic book is the one-shot Secret Invasion: Dark Reign. The only reason why I picked it up will be about the only part I'm critiquing very closely is: Emma Frost.

This issue begins with Emma in dreamland-ish landscape which is basically Emma in the Sentry's mind again meaning just white around her. But poorer art. Good to show that Emma has continued guilt over Kitty's death since certain writers seem to forget just because the guilt is addressed once does not mean it just went away.

She then wakes up and gets a telegram inviting her to Avengers Tower. She has a snipe-y moment, first time in awhile where it feels real since Fraction writes her to basically be a spoiled brat on Uncanny. She flies over to Avengers Tower and meets Doom in a basement meeting room where he acts like he's amazing. His narcissism is tired and this is only the 5th issue I've ever read with him in it. One problem with it is Emma's response to Doom after he says he's too almighty to be mind read is "Yeah. Okay." Emma Frost's way of speaking is very controlled, she glorifies being remarkable, so instead she would say something like "Whatever you say, darling."
A simple 'Yeah. Okay.' just sounds idiotic.

Then she meets Namor. Who's being drawn to look a dirty middle-aged man and apparently has a hearing problem. The Hood appears after, Emma displays that she does not care that people around her want privacy in their own heads and I absolutely love it. Then the dumbass points the gun on her, he seems really boringly over the edge, so she lets him know who's boss, favorite moment in the issue.

Loki appears followed by Norman Osbourne. He explains what's happened since Secret Invasion which is good since I do not give a damn, Secret Invasion was drawn out for way too long and seemed REALLY fucking boring. I promise I will not say boring half as many times next review. Either way, he talks a lot about nothing I cared about. Emma explains she's different, she doesn't have a kingdom she lost, then the endangered issue of mutants is brought up and Osbourne calls her the White Queen. Except that hasn't been for a LONG time now. Osbourne explains her being there keeps the mutants from being in concentration camps and she needs to make 'bold moves' which is vague and not really a reason, she can make bold moves elsewhere.

Then Osbourne continues speechifying. He walks around behind each of them, Emma's specific panel make her seems like she's getting some under the table and is just a really unlikely pose she'd make no matter how sexual she may be. Then everyone leaves. The rest I did not read since I can barely keep interest in the issue without Emma in it, egotistical men=snooze fest. Emma has the dream again and wakes up screaming, Scott does not even wake up. Fin.

Art-wise: Alex Maleev was really unremarkable, a step above the horrible artist that did Wolverine Origins when Emma appeared. In terms of colors, there were mainly light colors which does not go with the villain theme; dark colors or a lot of contrast would have worked better. The pencils seem scratchy and Emma just looks like any other blonde chick. She isn't, she should look very fierce. At least she did not have that horrible white tranny makeup that too many artists think works for her. But the light makeup with pink lips isn't her either, she'd likely had a dark upper lid and eyeliner defined lower one along with a red-pink lipstick.

Overall: Good for the parts with Emma, but the art just made the issue drag on in a really mundane way. I could have lived without owning the issue.