Black Vortex has been a surprising cross over. Brian Michael Bendis injects his style and humor into this issue and moves the plot along nicely. The pencils and colors are (lame pun) out of this world and enhance the book exponentially. This is honestly one of the better events from Marvel in quite some time. Read Full Review

So far, "Black Vortex" is a fun story that's maintained consistency despite existing as the ficklest of beasts: the inter-title crossover. With so many contributing on an episodic basis, more often than not, this format typically yields some qualitative variance. Given how distinctly endeared Bendis is to both the X-Men and the Guardians, it will be interesting to see how this exploit unfolds as other storytellers rotate through. More than how the creators handle themselves, the longer-range implications for the characters is an interesting prospect. Read Full Review

Best issue of the Black Vortex crossover so far, but the event is still lacking Read Full Review

But again, at least the art impresses. This issue does stand out in the sense that previous Black Vortex chapters did a solid job of adhering to the aesthetic laid out by Ed McGuinness in the Alpha issue. Andrea Sorrentino's style is a far cry from McGuinness'. That's a flaw in the greater context of the crossover, but on its own merits this issue really shines in the visual department. Sorrentino does cosmic spectacle every bit as well as gritty superhero drama. The transformed heroes especially stand out thanks to Sorrentino's striking figure work and the general surreal tone he generates. Brian Bendis may well have found his next great collaborator in Sorrentino. Read Full Review

"All-New X-Men" #38 does what needs doing, and that's as much as I can ask from a middle issue in an event with a massive cast. It includes enough surprises and tension to keep the reader interested, even if it can't overcome the limitations of "Black Vortex." Read Full Review

All in all, the summary here is that I couldnt help but feel this issue was just killing time before we move into the middle section of the Black Vortex arc. There are still some interesting ideas going on in the arc, but this particular issue doesnt really do anything to push them forward. At least one of the new characters joining the proceedings this issue though could lead to some very interesting developments in the issues to come. Read Full Review

It was fine. Just fine.

Great colours, line work could be better. In the end, it's still an even crossover that no one asked for.