Quire Steals the Show
This issue is the end of the first arc involving the NY State Board of Regents and the Hellfire Kids. And so while I'll momentarily get into why I loved this issue, I hope we have time now for a few issues of peace and getting to better know the students. For example, what's up with Kid Gladiator and Warbird. What's going to happen with Broo and Oya. And so on. A one to two issue breather arc would be greatly appreciated.
As far as this issue, it was once again a great balance of action and humor. This is the happy, non-emo X-book. My favorite gag in this issue is that no one knew who Quentin Quire was. I think that was included as a meta-commentary on what some new fans may have been wondering after he started Schism. After starting the Xavier riots during Grant Morrison's run, he seems to have been swept under the rug. Even I was extremely surprised to see him show up for Schism. But it's even funnier within the universe because a) New X-Men took place 10 years ago in our world which means it was ~2 years ago for the X-Men. Sure, they've had a ton happen since then - M-Day, Civil War, Deadly Genesis, Decimation, Messiah CompleX, Divided We Stand, Second Coming, Fear Itself (wow it's been a busy 2 years!) - but certainly they'd remember the riot at Xavier's! And if not, they'd at least remember him from starting the events of Schism at the UN.
Anyway, I've been wondering what would happen ever since he was kidnapped and brought to the school. Last time he was a real punk. He doesn't appear to have shown any character growth, but maybe that's just his tough guy exterior? Hard to say with the other mini involving him that Marvel's been advertising. Still, he has a staring role in this issue and I really enjoyed it!
Also, Wolverine's revenge on the Hellfire Kids is AWESOME! I really got a huge kick out of Wolverine's creativity there.
I've said it before and I'll say it again, if you're an X-fan you need to be reading this book!
PS - they tease a new student is coming - see Uncanny X-Force #19 if you want to see who that is. I think it's going to make for a VERY interesting school!
