After a few years, one of the problems with Chris Claremont's X-Men stories was that there was an inaccessibility that arose due to the never-ending string of loose plot threads that kept popping up. Such a curse doesn't afflict Chuck Austen's stories about Marvel's mutants. But inaccessibility persists, because he introduces new characters from out of nowhere and does nothing to explain why they do what they're doing. There's a more traditional tone to the action here, but the plot is so simple as to defy any sort of logic. The art is capable and occasionally rises beyond that to offer some fun and cool visuals.
A new incarnation of the Brotherhood of Mutants makes its debut by launching an attack in Philadelphia, but the X-Men, led by Havok, are on the scene to oppose them. The X-Men thwart the Brotherhood's plans, but the malevolent mutants are able to make their escape nonetheless. Meanwhile, Sammy Pare is concerned because he can't find his friends, Juggernaut, anywhere, and then he's given greater cause for concern when he finds out his mother is looking for the beefy former villain as well. And Havok's lover, Annie, makes an important decision about her place at Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters.
Larroca captures the chaotic and critical nature of the X-Men's initial encounter with the new Brotherhood nicely here. However, I feel we don't get a clear sense of a couple of the characters, especially Nocturne and Mammomax (that's right, I wrote "Mammomax"). Iceman's confrontation with the latter character, though, makes for an inventive and entertaining visual. In fact, Larroca, backed by Liquid!'s coloring effects, does a great job in conveying Iceman's powers and chilly shell.
There are a couple of character-based moments in this issue that really work well. There's apparently a growing friendship between Polaris and Rogue that also serves to demonstrate that the former's sadistic personality traits have thankfully been set aside. Furthermore, Sammy's mother's more active involvement in the story is welcome and rings true.
Unfortunately, there's a lot more in this script that's irksome than entertaining. Many plot points make no sense. The Brotherhood's attack on Philadelphia seems to have no point, and Exodus's acceptance of Nocturne's more altruistic leanings is puzzling as well. Why Nocturne is involved with the bad guys at all is never explained, and I'm at a loss when it comes to figuring out why Black Tom Cassidy has been so radically changed. Furthermore, the Juggernaut's role in the Brotherhood plotline seems painfully predictable, and that robs the reveal on the final page of any real impact.
Oh, and it's bad enough Wolverine is turning up in what seems like half of Marvel's releases lately, but now, we've got an oversaturation of Sabretooth as well. Wolverine, Weapon X, his own title next month and here in X-Men... enough already.
