Astonishing X-Men does have an old-school feel, as well as being quite detached from the rest of the Marvel Universe, which enables the team to embark on different adventures. So far this has been a fun read. Read Full Review

I'm not sure if I can say that this is the issue we've been waiting for, where Ellis does more with the mutants in his charge than throw insults at them. A lot may depend on the surprise semi-reveal at the end, which either picks up on some threads left by Whedon or throws a wild curve ball into the works. This issue, though, shows he at least knows who the X-men want to be. Read Full Review

Next issue promises to conclude the mega-Brood story arc, and with the cliffhanger at the end of this issue, it looks to be an eagerly-awaited one. Six months is a long time to wait between issues, but I'll take quality over quantity any day. And as piece of superhero entertainment, the Ellis/Jimenez/Lanning "Astonishing X-Men" is quality. Read Full Review

It seems the only consistent thing about Astonishing X-Men is its inconsistent shipping schedule. Even as Warren Ellis' saga has moved forward with the Xenogenesis mini-series, Exogenetic still needs wrapping up. Sadly, Xenogenesis' successes only highlight how dull and forgettable the previous storyline is. Ellis' X-Men lack the playful quality seen in Xenogenesis, instead spouting endless bits of snark and sarcasm. Painfully unnatural interactions between Cyclops and Beast only highlight how far behind the curve this story is working. As for the art, Phil Jimenez once again provides breakdowns upon which Andy Lanning finishes. Given how heavy and thick Lanning's inks have been over Jimenez's pencils in the past, the difference is scarcely noticeable. Between those heavy blacks and the unnatural colors of Frank D'Armata, the series is just too grungy and dreary for its own good. I've certainly read worse X-storylines, but Ellis has proven he can handle the team in a much more interest Read Full Review