The title of this limited series refers to the number of mutants remaining in the Marvel Universe after the massive mutant depowering of Houise of M #8, but the real title of this mini should be Decimation. The focus here is on the fallout of the "Decimation" premise, but writer David Hine really doesn't tell us anything new about the concept. We've seen similar scenes in X-Men, Generation M and X-Factor, so I'm at a loss as to figuring out what the point of this exercise is. Well, there is the fact that Hine seems to be given the chance to provide a new ending for one of his District X characters, but since I didn't follow that series too closely in its latter half, I found I wasn't all that engagd.
In the wake of M-Day, the Xavier School for Gifted Youngsters has been transformed into something of a refugee camp for the remaining mutants of the world. Among them are one-time X-enemy Toad and Lorelei, the woman he rescued from the barbaric clutches of anti-mutant bigots, who now walk the streets of New York's Mutant Town with impunity. The X-Men also retrieve from Central America their colleague Magma, who's been driven mad by the death of her mutant lover on M-Day. And there's Mr. M, Mutant Town's healer and prophet, who brings his unusual abilities and perspective to where they're needed.
Jim Muniz's art has been slowly evolving during his time at Marvel Comics to the point that it's just on the cusp of appealing to me. I didn't care much for his work at first, and there are still elements in his style that don't quite work for me. But I have to admit he offers some impressive visuals in this issue, such as Magma and her lover's volcanic dance. The brief Sentinel/Mr. M sequence at the end of the issue is strong as well. Still, there are times when anatomy seems off and the characters' faces don't look quite right (such as Magma in the opening scene, in which she looks too old).
The Magma scenes were quite effective. Not only does the reader buy into the deeply romantic connection between her and this apparently new character, but Hine addresses an M-Day idea that's would be fairly logical: that many mutants would have died horrific deaths as a result of losing their powers at critical moments. Unfortunately, we've already seen this addressed in other comics (Generation M #1 comes to mind specifically), so Hine isn't telling us anything we didn't already know.
Perhaps the most frustration aspect of this debut issue is that no semblance of plot reveals itself here. A few characters gather at the X-Compound, but that's about it. I can only assume the plot, once it's established, will revolved around Mr. M somehow, but Hine really needs to pick up the pace if he wants to hold onto his audience. 4/10
