What happens when an average day at the X-Men school ends with a visit from an insanely powerful foe?
The Good
When Regenesis was announced and the line up for this book was announced, I wasn't quite sure how I felt. It didn't really feel as if they would be necessary and trying to see where this book would fit in along with WOLVERINE AND THE X-MEN was perplexing. Christos Gage has jumped in and is setting the tone for this title at a running pace. The issue follows up on the relationship concerns of some of the members and seeing the school in session adds to the feel of where they are at. The return of Exodus adds a nice twist.
Exodus isn't a character the X-Men should mess around with, especially when there is a school of young mutants in the area. When the school was attacked in WOLVERINE AND THE X-MEN, we got a glimpse of how they would try to protect the students and that idea is fleshed out even further here. It doesn't hurt to have someone like Blindfold around helps to give a little bit of a heads up as well.
The battle plays out in a great fashion. There is plenty of action with bits of the traditional X-Men humor that isn't often seen these days. The final page actually made me snicker out loud even if it wasn't the full intention.
The Bad
I'm still trying to accept Rogue and Magneto and their recent relationship. The talk she has with Rachel was a nice touch but almost started dragging on a little.
I was never the biggest fan of Exodus but his appearance here is an interesting one. This clearly isn't the last we'll be seeing of him.
The Verdict
X-MEN LEGACY is establishing its place in the post-Schism X-Men universe. Rogue is continuing to develop and we're seeing how this book will fit in alongside WOLVERINE AND THE X-MEN. The setting may be a school but now we're seeing that contingency plans are in place if the school is attacked. Christos Gage's writing feels as if he's been writing these characters for a while and the mix of emotions, battles and humor is welcome to the series. The X-Men books feel like they've been too dark lately. Gage is on his way to making this book his own.