I didn't really have any intentions of buying any X-Book, until I saw Ellis was writing Astonishing. It's only $3, why the hell not? I got so sick of X-Men, pretty teens with super powers with pretty problems, boo who. It's a whine fest most of the time. However, Ellis made this book fun. I'm a big fan of the one-upping happening between the team, especially when Storm comes in. The art is also amazing... I'd continue on, but I'm at work and actually have work to do... crap

Warren Ellis on the X-Men.  Well, in terms of salivating, this is my Pavlov's dogs moment.  This is a pretty good issue without being spectacular (or astonishing, for that matter).  It's kind of a holding issue with Ellis organising his characters around the chessboard, being as this is a new run on one of Marvel's premiere titles.  So as well as Cyke, Emma, Wolvie and the Beast, the engaging Armour is back and so too, hot from Wakanda, is Storm.  And it's in the enterprising dialogue between the characters that this book really sparks and fizzes.  Ellis already has Emma down, Ororo remarking that it's her put downs that she has missed in Wakanda, where she is usually blandly revered.  This was the first time I had seen Simone Bianchi's art.  It's certainly pretty but I'm not completely certain I'm on board with it yet.  Still there's a nice shot of Scott and Emma in bed together and I loved Armour's pyjamas.  So a competent start and I wait with bated breath for more.