Cyclops has brought together the most powerful X-Men on Utopia as part of his 'Extinction Squad.' You would think going up against someone like Mr. Sinister wouldn't be too much for them to handle but this isn't the same old Mr. Sinister they all knew.
The Good
Mr. Sinister is a villain that sometimes has been cool and other times really lame. Even though he had a good death and came back as a women (sort of), having him come back from the dead has been a good thing for readers. Leave it Kieron Gillen to finally add a new layer to the villain and give the X-Men a villain that can actually give them a run for their money. Yes, we want the heroes to win but if they simply swoop in and save the day with minimal effort, stories get boring. This 'new' Sinister is a welcome addition to the X-Men villains now that Regenesis is underway.
Gillen delivers a nice mixture of humor and suspense in his script. Whether it was intentional or not, reading Namor deliver a certain Star Wars line made me snicker. Hope was a character I never really cared for but the way she is used here is enough to make me gain some respect for her. The combination of Carlos Pacheco, Jorge Molina and Rodney Buchemi adds an interesting mix to the current action along with the flashback sequences.
The Bad
It's a strange mix where there is some action but it almost doesn't feel like enough. It might not be a fair complaint since it is important to listen to what Mr. Sinster's plan is. Perhaps it's having these big guns on the team and them getting taken out of the action suddenly. Also, the coming of the other Celestials almost feels like a tease for the next issue. Basically, I'm hungry for the big action that's about to hit the fan next issue.
Giving it some more thought, I have to wonder what's next for Mr. Sinister after all this. Fingers crossed it ends well.
The Verdict
If you're a Cyclops supporter or a Cyclops hater, you're going to dig this issue. Cyclops may have formed a powerful new squad but the new and improved Mr. Sinister gives the team a great new challenge. Some of the members are used in ways to give a new appreciation while others don't get a proper chance to show us what they can do. Kieron Gillen gives a lot of variety with his writing. We have intense situations with enough humor squeezed in to bring a smile to your face. Sinister's new look is great but I have to wonder how long this incarnation can last. He's proving to be a formidable foe but we have to assume he'll be defeated in the end of the arc. I'll remain hopefully that the X-Men will be able to save the day and Sinister can slink off without losing his new direction. If this new Mr. Sinister isn't enough to keep you hooked, the way the issue ends along with the coming of the Celestials should be plenty to keep you on board for this relaunch.