I couldn't understand the core of this series when I was a kid... These comics were not enough for me to really enjoy them and everything else just seemed weird for me. But when I was older, I actually understood that it was an awesome magazine. Of course, UK series wasn't that popular and it was only 31 issues long. But the version of my country had more, than 60 issues. Of course there were some reprints, when the original series died, but the magazine itself was still very good. Interesting facts about the world, actual info about the movies and games, cool humor... And of course comics! There were 2 stories in each issue both 6 pages long.

So, I won't rate additional materials, because they were different in my country (the series was launched in 2006, not in 2004) and the original scans actually have only comics. But I will rate these comics quite higher, than I would if they were without everything else in between. Because it's a magazine and it's almost impossible to make a masterpiece out of 6 pages... But if these stories are good for this size - I'll rate them high enough.

The first story of this issue was about the X-Men. Arcade kidnapped Wolverine, Colossus and Shadowcat. He made Wolverine and Colossus fight each other, because on the other hand would be Kitty's death. And they fought, but not for real. So, Arcade was defeated and the X-men came back to their home.

What can I say, the art is good. John Royle drew both these stories and I really like his art. He did a great job with the Spectacular Spider-Man Adventures Panini UK title. And he's still cool here. But the story was kinda too simple. And the conclusion with the super fast Colossus, who is even faster, than axe... It's kinda weird. 7/10. It's fine for this mag.

The second story was about Hulk vs Broods, but it's too rushed and I couldn't really enjoy the story. They didn't even made you fear for Bruce and right away revealed that he wasn't infected. But the art compensates the lack of good story, plus I really like the Hulk, so... 6/10 will be fine. Could be better even for this size of story.

And the average rate for this mag should be 6.5, but it will be 7.5 because of the reasons I mentioned before. It's a cool magazine and these comics are here just to be here. And they are still quite good. It's not a good and serious reading, but for this context it's fine.

I think if you didn't have this magazine back in 2004 and you would accidentally find it now - you'd be 100% interested in reading this. In 2022 it's like a wayback machine! It's so fecking cool! more