It's great that a gay kid reading this comic has a hero to identify with, and if it helps that kid get through life's struggles in the same way that those heroes helped young Chuck cope with being a bookworm and a science fiction fan, then I'm all for it. Read Full Review

Will every fan be pleased with the story of Iceman as it progresses from here (as it is far from over)? Hardly. It wouldn't be an X-Men story if its fandom all revered it universally. But for me, a guy who grew up watching Bobby Drake on his television screen and wondering (unrelatedly) if he would ever be able to be honest about himself to his family, his friends, and the world, All New X-Men #40 is an important comic " maybe the most important comic " I've read in a long time. And I imagine I won't be the only one with that experience. Here's hoping there's more than a few kids out there today that see themselves in this and know that they can be gay and happy too. Read Full Review

I can appreciate that the original X-Men are taking what they've learned about their older, future selves and are deciding to make real changes. Besides the Iceman reveal, there is still the matter of the "Utopians" to deal with. This is Bendis' final issue of All-New X-Men I believe (I could be wrong). And there is Uncanny X-Men #600, which will be Bendis' last X-Men story. According to Axel Alonso, the ramifications of Iceman being gay will be felt throughout the Marvel universe, and will involve the current-day Iceman. Read Full Review

The All-New X-Men story began as a misguided attempt by present day Beast to change the future. Forty issues in, and with the realization that things are worse than ever, the time-displaced teens simply struggle to adapt to present day circumstances. This issue may not have been the most action packed of the series, but it has expertly explored and highlighted how these X-Men have changed and grown. At its core, that's what this series has always been about. I don't know what awaits these teens on the other side of Marvel's coming "reorganization," but I hope they stick around so we can find out. Read Full Review

If there's one thing we can learn from the X-Men, it's that the world is full of grays. It's important to recognize that, while the issue was enjoyable as a whole, there were certainly problematic qualities that need to be addressed and called out. The X-Men have consistently stood as an allegory for marginalized communities, which is why it needs to be held to a higher scrutiny. Authorial intent aside, the specific scenes with Bobby and Jean don't read well from a LGBTQIA perspective. And while we can be displeased with how that played out, and feel uncertain if having another male character outed is the kind of representation we need, we can still be happy that the industry is making strides on a global level, and also recognize the strength of the other parts of the issue. Read Full Review

The X-Men have been involved in a big cosmic event with the Guardians of the Galaxy and others. Returning to Earth, they get the chance to unwind a little, Brian Michael Bendis style. Bendis has a knack for allowing the characters to live and breath like humans. It also allows for some growth in the characters as well as a big revelation that has everyone online talking. The revelation of an original X-Men being gay can be a big deal for several reasons. But it's also not the main focus of the issue. While we'll have to wait and see how this character's allowed to progress from here, Bendis also sets up a new thread with the introduction of the Utopians. Mahmud Asrar's art keeps getting better. His take on the team and his depiction of their expressions is gold. Pick up the issue for the reason everyone is talking on and on about but also check out the other developments happening around the characters. Read Full Review

So yeah, that's all I have to say about this issue. The series is about to end, but the suddenly introduction of new villains have me worried the series is now going to be wrapped up properly. Also, the whole Iceman is gay thing is a bit news for news' sake, and I'm not a big fan of it. Read Full Review

All-New X-Men #40 offers an intriguing epilogue to Black Vortex, but the series needs more momentum now. Read Full Review

With the X-Men franchise going in a new direction post Secret Wars. Readers seem to be more concerned about who will be writing it, rather than how Bendis will conclude up his story. This issue was a let down for readers, nothing progressed in the story and Bendis delivered a filler issue. Ultimately it is a shame, Bendis has been doing extremely well with the All New X-men story and has opened a lot of doors, but it may be time to send the X-men home. Read Full Review

Despite the continuity issues, and a more culturally related concern, this is still a very good issue of All-New X-Men. And what it lacks in its attempt at seamlessly diversifying the Marvel universe, it makes up for in truly touching character moments, beautiful art, and a cast of characters that continue to be the heart and soul of the series. Read Full Review

All in all, this was a solid issue of the Young X-Men just hanging out and being friends and teenagers. I love that sort of thing, and it doesn't feel like I needed to slog through Black Vortex to have any idea what's going on. Asrar does a fantastic job on art. Everyone looks young and unique, and some of his Bobby facial expressions were just phenomenal. They really helped keep the scene grounded. Read Full Review

This week's All-New X-Men is solid but nowhere near the realm of "breaking the internet in half". Compelling and character-driven, it's sincere and certainly worth checking out. Read Full Review

In the end, "All-New X-Men" #40 is a nice looking book with a few character beats that aren't bad but also aren't the most riveting for a book that's about to go on hiatus. The cover-teased plot involving the Utopians is relegated to a few pages at the beginning and end of the comic; otherwise, it feels like a series of character beats all getting thrown in before the proverbial timer hits zero. The ideas here are intriguing, but it's a shame that they didn't have a little more time to properly play out instead of getting dumped onto the reader right before the buzzer. Read Full Review

This could have been a disaster of an issue, but Bendis wrote the controversial scene well. Many of the people who have a problem with this havent actually read the book and only read the headlines. The art has continued to get better, but could still use a tiny bit more work. This was a solid and fun issue from a book that has consistently been great. Read Full Review

This issue acts as an epilogue for "The Black Vortex" crossover that has consumed both the X-Men and the Guardians of the Galaxy, and in typical Bendis fashion, it's a pretty breezy read with a couple of big soap opera moments throughout. Read Full Review

Look, it's those guys that you don't even remember but you should!

Overall, this issue is another character development issue, but the developments are interesting, so it's worth it. The gay thing seems out of nowhere at first so the immediate instinct is denial, but if you think about it Bobby has had so many failed relationships and seems to overcompensate with the womanizing, so it kind of makes sense. If the gay thing truly outrages you deeply, I'd suggest coming to terms with your own sexuality next.

I can't even tell you how sick and tired I am of gayness being introduced into Marvel comics these days. How on earth can young Ice Man be gay if he was never gay in the original X-Men comics and straight as an arrow as an adult? Bendis never did this before X-Men, so I have to assume the editors are forcing this down our throats. Here's a hint: why don't you actually have fellow X-Men come out as Evangelical Christians and disagree with some of the progressiveness on the team? You may just have a better story and conflict resolution on your hands than simply being one-sided. And no...Nightcrawler as a resurrected Catholic does not count!