All in all, this is a satisfying, beautifully rendered, adventure story well worth picking up. Read Full Review

Of course, things go wrong on day one inside the vault. In the issue, Sync is definitely the standout. Hickman puts the story in his perspective and that is a great choice. Once again, the characters and stories that add to the nation of Krokoa's growing abilities are my favorite part of the book. As a newly resurrected mutant, Sync definitely adds another layer to what mutants are capable of following resurrection. The revelation towards the end of the issue raises some interesting questions regarding mutants and their powers. Read Full Review

Overall this issue gave us an action packed story with some big implications on what we know of the mutants side of the Marvel Universe. I'm definitely intrigued how Hickman and his teams will utilize this new change going forward. Read Full Review

Asrar delivers some awesome art throughout this issue. The characters look great and there is some great action to be found. A great looking issue from start to finish. Read Full Review

It's a fun read that sets up interesting questions for the future of Krakoa and Asrar's art is beautiful, giving every page a nice polish. Read Full Review

In the end, X-Men #18 was well worth the wait. I for one want to see what comes next too, because there still seems to be more to this that the following issue should get back to. Read Full Review

X-Men #18 shows Jonathan Hickman putting his own spin on the typical X-Men “rescue” mission, and the focus on a tight-knit, complementary cast lets Wolverine, Darwin, and Synch's personalities and abilities shine. Mahmud Asrar and Sunny Gho also get to draw riveting action sequences that showcase this cast of character's unique powers while working in tandem with Hickman to create an uneasy tone around the team's actions. By the end of the issue, we know so much about who Wolverine, Darwin, and Synch are, but their opponents are basically explod-y action figures. Hmm… Read Full Review

Whether the plot points are enough to sate the hungry X-Men fan, Mahmud Asrar's slick visuals should satisfy with his depiction of this otherworldly locale, these mutant's unusual powers, and the battle within. Read Full Review

The series finally revisits the Vault and the creative team gives readers the first of the answers they want. It's definitely not what most would expect. Read Full Review

I'm certainly not deterred from the story or the series by this one single issue. But, as Hickman's X-MEN goes, this was a bit lackluster and missing that clever charm that these issues seem to normally have. Read Full Review

Jonathan Hickman and Mahmud Asrar deliver a story that is a relatively quick read with the story told in X-Men #18. The strong characterization of Wolverine, Darwin, and Synch really stood out as Hickman and Asrar placed much needed spotlights on these great characters. More than anything this issue came across as a tease for a greater story that will be told with everything going on in the Vault. Hopefully we don't have to wait long for the story in the Vault to unfold, especially with the Hellfire Gala fast approaching. Read Full Review

An engaging issue that brings us into the Vault and into the characters' heads, as expected of the ongoing "X-Men" comic. Read Full Review

The main fight overall was a quick one, which speaks to the team's abilities but it wasn't all that great either. The primary fighters were Laura, Darwin, and the Flaming Skullhead, again the comic doesn't tell us any of the Children's names. Everyone else is pretty forgettable except for the last surviving member of the Children who goes kamikaze and tries to self-destruct. During the whole battle, Synch didn't really do much but provide narration and that's it. It seem's like Synch is meant to be the POV character for this story arc, but he may not be the most compelling. Read Full Review

Something is happening here and hopefully, we'll get to see more of it before another 13 issues pass. Read Full Review

X-Men #18 sets up what should be an exciting conclusion to the children of the vault story. Jonathan Hickman continues to build up characters and stories that are going to pay off later down the road. You won't find a better long term comic writer that Jonathan Hickman. The pencils and colors really shine this issue as we get many pages that highlight the character. X-Men #18 is a quick but effective read. Read Full Review

With this book reading so differently to last issue, I can't shake that this is a filler issue, with the second part to follow before we get back to main thrust. Of course, my intermittent reading of this series may be colouring my perceptions slightly. Read Full Review

Very little happens in a storyline that I'm beginning to think it some kind of long con. Read Full Review

It's been a long wait, but definitely worth it. The Vault team successfully infiltrate the city only to find the Children prepared for them. What follows is a brutal fight where Laura/Wolverine and Synch slaughter the Children. Seriously, it's basically a massacre. Round 1 goes to the X-Men. Can't wait for round 2 next issue!

I'm taking up the Marvel comics, I liked this issue, it was agile, this will definitely be another choice to buy apart from Spiderman and King in Black.

A pretty solid start here. Asrar does a nice job drawing everything, and Hickman does a good enough job with the story. I didn't really dislike anything about this, but I just wish this had a little more for me to latch on to. Either way, it was good. It was just a bit quick for me.

Glad they went back to show whats going on in the vault. These are the stories that make X-Men a good series.

This is gonna be fun! God I love how heartless the Xmen came in and tended to this mission. X-23 truly is the real Wolverine! Fast paced fun issue that brings us back to what makes this version of the XMen so fun and unique

This was an enjoyable issue, but a brief read.

X-Men
Volume: 4, Issue: 18
“Inside the Vault”

Publisher: Marvel @marvel
Writer: Jonathan Hickman
Artist: Mahmud Asrar @mahmudasrar
Colors: Sunny Gho @sunnygho
Letters: Clayton Cowles
Cover: Leinil Francis Yu @leinilyu & Sunny Gho

Upon the discovery of the return of the Children of the Vault, a special team was dispatched to breach the Vault and report back all knowledge related to their population. Due to their uniquely special abilities and faced with the uncertainty of the flow of time within, Synch, Darwin and Wolverine (X-23) were the ideal candidates for the task. Sooner than later, the trio's presence is detected and the team finds themselves in direct conflict with the Children. The elevated power levels of Synch seem to turn the tide of battle until one of the Children ignites a massive explosion.

I’ve been waiting for them to return to this storyline! I’ve always liked the Children of the Vault and have been waiting for a writer to bring them back. The fact that it’s Hickman makes it so much better. Mahmud Asrar’s work on this issue is really well done. Checkout his Instagram page to check out a few shots that he’s recently posted.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5)
Reviewed by: @meanadam of The Comic Book Club of Instagram
Follow: @the_comic_book_club on Instagram for more reviews! more

It's worth the purchase to keep up with the big picture but Hickman is chewing on more than he can tell in his book. He needs two books a month to make sense of this otherwise it doesn't work and feels slow. I know the other X books are part of telling the wider story but they are much more cohesive than this. Still a good story that reads too quick and leaves you hanging almost as much as where you started. Hickamn will not change his style so I already know what I'm in for. I can still complain in vain. Asrar and Gho are great together and their beautiful art helped keep my attention. That cover by Yu though: Chef's kiss!!

This was tons of fun!

Synch narrates his team's entry into the Vault. Their first scrap with the Children of the Vault is brutal, and however long their mission lasts, it's probably gonna be traumatic. I came in ready for Mr. Hickman's "iterative" approach to plotting, so I'm cool with not learning much really new stuff. I'd have liked some more character development, though; I think this issue is disappointing on that score unless you're one of the world's 3 Synch superfans.

Okay!

" In your head... And in your heart."
- SYNCH

The main X-Men storyline has been derailed for quite some time now, with other Marvel events interrupting every other second (seriously this is beyond annoying). I think this issue wasn't very dense and we need to see more of what's down the line to truly judge this story. Hoping we get better pacing next issue and onwards.

If only this issue was a few pages longer. I love the idea of the vault, and the mutant powers working in tandem is honestly one of the best aspects of Hickman's run, but this just seems like a problem of having too many good ideas and not enough time. X of Swords really derailed the flow of X-Men and King in Black isn't helping the matter. So while the other titles are finding their footing, I'm not seeing the same fortitude from the main X story. I hope the Vault gets the time it needs to really shine, fingers crossed.

WE WAITED THIS LONG FOR THIS!?

I feel like I should care more, but I think it’s just taken too long to get here and this wasn’t a good enough pay off.

Feels pretty empty, much like the Vault itself.

All set-up, no answers. Meh.

The dialogue was pretty bad, Hickman continues to wing it on this title.

for real?

Too decompressed. this could have been tol in half of the issue. Waited one years for this, not worthy

Art is good but I think Silva + gracia could be better for this