Secret Invasion: X-Men # 1 - Manifest Destiny

 This is not a bad cover as far as pose covers go. Not a great cover, but it will do in a pinch. The interiors match it as a matter of fact. I can with all confidence say that the art is very competant. The book pretty much forgoes any characterization for the X-men and instead focuses only on Skrull motivation.  Although what ever it is that seems to be going on with Nightcrawler and the Skrulls religion, that does seem pretty cool. He seems to really want to understand what drives them spiritually.
  Over all I have to say that this story does add to the whole crossover. I hope that continues, and this becomes a book that matters.

I don't always hold high hopes for tie ins to big events but I'm glad to report that this is a pretty good start to this particular mini-series.  And with Mike Carey on board as writer, I really shouldn't have worried.  Engagingly, Carey pretty much writes this from the Skrulls' perspective and emphasises their religious motivations to the invasion.  It's fun seeing the Skrulls turning up on the West Coast, smugly thinking that there are no superhumans around, only to discover that Scott and co have a new home in San Francisco.  Oops!  This book is also brilliant due to the artwork of Cary Nord.  I hadn't come across Nord before but he pretty damn well rocks.  His interpretation of Kurt, in particular, is brilliant - possibly the most elf like I've seen him.  All this and, for Dodson fans, a very nice Emma Frost on the cover too.