The anthology approach is abandoned this month in favor of a single story that reads like a poor fill-in issue of Uncanny X-Men, or even an overwrought fundraiser attempt for the SPCA. Though he plays with the same of characters as he does in Uncanny, Austen abandons the more mature atmosphere and plotting of modern comics storytelling and tells an overly simplified, obviousand ham-fisted story that preaches instead of entertaining and/or informing.
Sammy, the new student and aquatic mutant at the Xavier School for Gifted Youngsters, discovers slaughters animals around the edges of the X-Mansion compound, but his friend Cain Marko, AKA Juggernaut, fails to see what the big deal is. Sammy feels a connection with the slain animals, though, and seeks out help from other members of the X-Men family. The situation escalates, though, and brings the X-Men into conflict with their Westchester neighbors.
Molenaar's artwork is clearly influenced by the Todd McFarlane/Spawn house style. Unfortunately, for a supposedly grounded story about animal suffering, exaggeration doesn't seem to be what's called for here. At times, Molenaar's animals look more like anthropomorphized cartoon animals than the helpless, simple creatures they need to be. The art is rather garish, and that quality is matched in the colors as well.
Mind you, one can hardly fault the visuals for lacking subtlety when the same can be said for the script. Jean Grey's incident with the dead dog is almost laughable rather than dramatic. The relationship between Sammy and Juggernaut is forced down the reader's throat as well. There's no context here, no understanding as to why Sammy needs Cain to understand how he feels.
Perhaps the most ludicrous moment in the book comes when Wolverine makes a sudden and wholly gratuitous appearance. Austen never really touches upon Wolverine's kinship with nature, but simply throws the ferocious figure at a trio of young boys. Wolverine's purpose here is to look cool and menacing. He doesn't advance the plot at all.
