X-MEN BLUE #9 is an action-packed entry that manages to showcase the best of the series' characters. Read Full Review

Despite a few minor issues, Cullen Bunn wraps up the X-Men's Secret Empire tie-in on a satisfying note while introducing a whole set of new questions. Read Full Review

This is one of the best titles coming from Marvel and RessurXion. It's great to see the X-Men back and this tie-in issue proves that not even a major event can shake this book from the consistent quality being delivered twice a month. You should pick this one up, it's a major gem in the Marvel lineup. Read Full Review

The art in this issue was not for me. There are a few good panels but for the most part the colors and characters seemed a little simplistic and rushed. There were some unnatural looking poses and faces. There is something there that could become great with practice. The story itself is far better, but still not a favorite of mine. Xorn is being controlled which seemed wrong, but we are led to believe it is due to a shard of the cosmic cube that is helping that happen. Polaris and Havok's reunite on opposite sides of the conflict and the interaction should have been a harder hitting emotional moment than what it felt like. Still it had some good dialog between the two. The best part of the whole plot is Emma trying to turn young Scott into the version of Cyclops that she loved. She does so by controlling his mind. Jean goes into the mental mindscape to talk Emma out of it. That hatred between Emma and Jean continues. An interesting thing about this is that Emma does not think of the young Jean and Scott and separate people from the ones of this timeline. She hated Jean and continues to hate her younger self even though she has had limited interactions with her. She treats Scott like the man she knew even though young Scott does not want to be him. That inability to let go of her mind set is what fueled Inhumans Vs. X-Men. Emma doing this out of love for Scott makes her a very interesting character and it is too bad that she is not part of an book. This is still one of the most consistent X titles out there, so worth sticking with even with the minor faults. more

An okay issue overall. Decent artwork by Cory Smith, but not his best work. A ton of action in the first half of the book, so the plot didn't really pick up much until the later pages. Glad this series will finally be getting away from the Secret Empire event.

Jean leads the suddenly-expanded O5 team to freedom. Polaris has an underwhelming fight with Havok, Damage fights mooks and ultimately doesn't do much, Briar does nothing and glorifies in it. Cullen Bunn's script is flawed but a bit above average. Cory Smith's art is middle of the road and it looks a little rushed and rough - until you see guest artist Thony Silas's borderline-unprofessional work in the back half of the issue. This could have been something really special with stronger visuals and a little more polish on the script; instead, it skirts the edge of disappointing.