New students, reconciliations and preparations for War
Amidst all the fighting and endless conflict going on among Avengers and the X-Men, this issue comes with a soothing and calming mood, like the easyness before a storm. This issue is a time (very deserved indeed) for the X-men in Jean Grey's school to get things in perspective, mend "broken" relationships, get their mojo going, almost like a farewell and relaxation before the big battle against Phoenix Cyclops and Emma Frost. Don't be fooled, there're also big decisions being made in this issue, also preparation of the "big intelectual minds" on how to deal with the Phoenix' threat. The thing that I most enjoyed about this issue was how Jason Aaron transmitted with comedy and deep dialogues what was the mood like in the school premises. The humor is definitely there, in the dialogues between Beast, Iron Man and Broo, Quentin Quire and Professor Xavier, the new students getting to know the school, also Logan and Iceman, and the serious stuff you can see in the dialogues between Hope and Logan, Hope and Idie. There's also hope of better things to come, like the interaction between Kitty and Iceman, Kid Gladiator saying his good byes, but also dread such as in the dialogues between Rachel Summers and Xavier. This issue isn't about action, it's about the people that lives in the school and their feelings, so Aaron really delivered a sensational issue in my opinion. Also Jorge Molina's art is nothing but fantastisc, he has a little of Carlos Pacheco, Jim Lee, Marc Silvestri, Billy Tan and Adam Kubert going on in his style, creating a great atmosphere for the story being told. A spectacular example of good writing, of how take the characters and their interactions as the most important thing in comics! Super recommended!
