The First X-Men #4

Cover - 3/5

- Would I pick-up the comic based on the cover alone? Are the alternate covers appealing? Does the cover portray what happens in the issue?

Art - 3/5

- Do I personally like this artist's style? Does the artist stay true to the characters appearance?

Colors/Ink/Lettering - 4/5

- Does the work blend well with the artist? Is the coloring/inking enjoyable and easy to distinguish what's happening? Can I easily read the lettering?

Layout/Flow - 4/5

- Does the layout of the issue make it easy to read? Does the issue have a good flow of the plot and keep me engaged?

Story - 3/5

- Weighted Triple. How well did the issue further develop the current story? How well did the issue further develop the characters? Did I enjoy reading the issue?

Verdict - 3.3

- Like the art of the book the cover suffers. I don't know why but the entire series are just seems sloppy. It could be the coloring but I personally believe its the artist. I'm holding in there for the end but this title just doesn't work. It seems like so much is outside of what continuity already says about these characters. This issue has Virus explaining his Origin Story. He also explains that he has a mole inside Wolverine and Sabretooth's camp. Back at their base of operations the rescued mutants are getting impatient and want to take the fight to the government. Logan makes a remark that he wished that Xavier or Lehnsherr would have joined them, because he is grunt not a leader. In the end we see Virus and the government send Sentinels after the team (I'm confused about them being in this time-frame). They make quick work of them but Virus is able to take control of Sabretooth. Glad this series is almost over, it's just not well written and personally I believe it muddles the existing continuity.