In an alternate reality we would have never known Nightcrawler was coming back until these issues were presented to us. It would have taken the "Oh that's cool!" reaction from the previews and turned it up to "I CANNOT BELIEVE I'M READING THIS!! THIS IS AMAZING!! HOW DID THEY DO IT?!?!" It would have been talked about for years as one of the industry's best moments of 2014. Sadly, the outcome was telegraphed by Marvel's own PR and what we have left is just a fantastic story, beautiful artwork, and the legitimate return of the character we have wanted to see in his true form for years. Read Full Review

The climatic showdown between Nightcrawler and Azazel is rendered like a classic battle between a hero and his nemesis. The lines are sleek and firm, keeping the action clear, and while making sure that the characters don't look like posed statues. McGuinness hits all of the right balance between making everyone look incredibly muscular without straying into 90's era gigantism. Colorist Marte Gracia contributes a lot to the issues, especially in the way the backgrounds appear almost painted. With so many costumed characters, the issue is just very bright to look at, and the level of color certainly keeps the tone very enjoyable. Read Full Review

It's a book tinged with sadness and it lacks the pitch perfect emotion of the last two issues, but this final installment of “The Quest for Nightcrawler” holds its own based on the strong character work, beautiful visuals, and pure drama that made the X-Men a household name in the first place. Read Full Review

Kurt's return should also force Logan to admit his own failures including the split in the X-Men. How Nightcrawler is going to fit into that schism should be interesting to watch. Worth a look. Read Full Review

It's not the deepest story in the world, but I'll be damned if Amazing X-Men isn't one of the most fun X-books I've read in quite some time. Read Full Review

Amazing X-men #5 was a fitting ending to an emotional and twisting story carried the reader, literally, to hell and back. There could be no more fitting battle ground for our blue skinned swashbuckler than ship to ship against his demon father on the high seas. I am left wondering, with this troubling price paid, what is next and what will change as Kurt finds his place once more in the land of the living. Read Full Review

While the details of the story might not be the most memorable, there is simply no denying "Amazing X-Men" #5 tries to reinstall fun into the X-Men's corner of the Marvel Universe by reminding readers just what has been missing since Nightcrawler left. Aaron tempers the fun with introspection and gives readers a comic worth revisiting. This could be construed as anti-climatic, but it brings the X-Men back to a more complete place and wonderfully sets up Nightcrawler for a journey of self. Read Full Review

Still, there's plenty of pirate-y action to round out the story. Ed McGuinness remains in top form as he renders cutesy Bamf battles and X-Men all geared up and ready to wage pirate war. His visuals alone are enough to distinguish the series, with its clean, sleek lines and classical superhero imagery. So at least if Aaron is nearly out the door, we can count on more from McGuinness in the near future. Read Full Review

Amazing X-Men is not terrible, but not particularly good. I hope that Aaron's departure and the arrival of Chris Yost and Craig Kyle as the writing team brings this book the narrative voice that it so sorely needs. They've got a great artist, and some great characters to work with. Let's hope that the series, like a certain blue elf, comes to life. Read Full Review