In an earlier review I wrote for X-Men No More Humans, I lamented how the high concept inter-temporal conflict between the past original X-Men and future brotherhood was a bit of a lost opportunity  that was corrected in that issue.  We get an interesting juxtaposition here with a heartfelt reunion of sorts between  young time displaced Jean, and old time displaced Logan.  Jean appears to be very empathic and familiar to old Logan despite not knowing the original wolverine for very long. Perhaps their similar time spanning predicaments has engendered some sympathy in her. Regardless of this however it does feel a bit forced…and so bizarre considering these are not the original versions we are poised to compare to them to. Nevertheless this is quite a surreal encounter. The X-Men are no strangers to countless resurrections. I found it very poignant that while the X-Men are still mourning the loss of Wolverine, this version of Wolverine is mourning the loss of the entire X-Men (by his own no less). That should lead to some interesting dynamics down the road.

Issue three of Extraordinary X-Men continues with its effective mix of the new and the nostalgic, and it was another enjoyable read. The younger X-Men get to flex their muscles as the demonic hordes native to their new environment invade X-Haven after Illyana’s incapacitation.  Being a long term X-Fan I could not help but recall familiar territory as some of the younger X-Men namely; Glob Herman and Anole got overdue some panel time. Eagle eyed readers will remember that it was  in Limbo where Anole lost his arm and discovered his ability to regenerate them in the Quest for Magik arc.  This arc was a coming of age story of sorts which saw the younger X-Men sucked into Limbo, and having to fend for themselves without their teachers. We had a similar Limbo Encounter in the more recent Uncanny X-Men run, which resulted in a very interesting outcome, Illyana seemingly absorbing the entire realm within her.   This issue brought back some of that “passing of the torch” sentiment that I feel has been waning from the x-books lately.  For too long I feel that the philosophical schism of the disparate interpretation of Xavier’s dream has eclipsed this.

It was nice Bobby’s ice clone army,  again this took me back to happier times, with Wolverine and the initial opening of the Jean Grey School. There are times that I forget how much power Bobby Drake has as an omega mutant. With Jean Grey (albeit a younger version) back in the mix, I would love to see the mutant classification taxonomy explored further especially now that they are an endangered species again. I have been missing Professor Xavier, and there’s an interesting development that I did not mention in my last review where Storm appears to be communicating with his spirit.  Storm and Xavier’s relationship has always been one that I admired and I have been extremely curious about the state of Xavier’s essence post-AXIS. In light of Storm’s innovative leadership and this secret counsel, interesting things are definitely around the corner.

I am patiently awaiting to see what Mr Sinister is up to. The character was written with so much finesse, under Kieron’s Gillen’s pen, and the finale of his run set up his intrigue so perfectly. The Sinister / Scott Summer’s conflict really hit its peak there ,  as Sinister became the Red Skull of sorts to Summers’ Steve rogers, perfect rivals.  Now with the elder Scott Summer’s allegedly dead, and mutants on the fast track to extinction, Sinister is no doubt bound to exact some extreme measures to procure and exploit what can be considered is favourite raw (and limited) resource, mutantkind. I had my reservations initially but I can say honestly I am very hooked by this new status quo with the added benefit of the tone hearkening back to that traditional X-Book feel and sentiment that I have missed.

Story: Jeff Lemire Art: Humberto Ramos
Story: 10 Art: 7 Overall 8.5 Recommendation: Buy