Where we opened the story with love and comradery, we end with paranoia, feelings of inadequacy, hostility, and death. Nobody's hands are clean by the end of this story, and Ellis does a very good job of writing one of the most mature X-Men adventures in years, bringing to mind the emotional impact of the classic "God Loves, Man Kills" graphic novel by Claremont and Anderson, without sacrificing the mind-bending science fiction concepts that elevate a Warren Ellis story from the pack. Read Full Review

I hate slamming artists because I respect them so much and there is no way I could do even one line that they draw so effortlessly. That being said, the art near cripples this issue, which I would give an A if it lookeddifferently. I will sat that Bianchi has an insane amount of talent, but it just comes out strange and distracting, most of the time in this series (kinda like another artist on the other X-Men series. I'm talking to you Greg Land). However, word is that Phil Jimenez is taking on art duties next arc and I look forward to seeing all that go down. Kudos to Ellis for re-establishing Astonishing X-Men as “the” X book on the stands. Now, just get the book out on time, will you? Read Full Review

Maybe with Phil Jimenez on board for the next story, we'll see a more regular release schedule for "Astonishing X-Men" and that will help matters out. While I don't mind waiting extra for something that's really good, when the title feels below average the long publishing gaps make the comic feel a bit more of a letdown. And in the end, letdown is exactly how I'd describe "Astonishing X-Men" #30, after all that promise earlier on. Read Full Review