SPOILERS: Wolverine and the X-Men # 40

Here's the most important part that happened over at Marvel Comics' Wolverine and the X-Men book this month WOLVERINE AND THE X-MEN # 40 by Jason Aaron and Pepe Laraz.

So, Wolverine and Cyclops successfully dismantle a S.H.I.E.L.D. base contain mutant-killing sentinels. They get banged up pretty bad and Wolverine scouts for medical supplies while Scott Summers looks on. Fortunately for these two X-Men leaders, Logan also spots a hidden cache of beer. Boxes and boxes full of beer. Which leads to this lengthy conversation between the two.

Taken out of context, this could be fanfic material for Scott and Logan shippers

I like the fact that Wolverine knows how things were and there's an implication that he want things to go back to what they used to be pre-Schism. Logan however is still a sanctimonious dick as a character because he refuses to admit that Cyclops was taken over and influenced by the Dark Phoenix force back in AVX when he kills Charles Xavier.

Wolverine is right however that Cyclops is not seeing it all throughout and Cyke's right about a lot of things about Logan too. There's an old saying that the first road to a full recovery, especially in alcoholics and depressed people is accepting the fact that they are broken or f*cked up. This issue has the two dealing with it and though we're still not seeing a full Scott-Logan bromance here, we can definitely say that we are on the road to a unified X-Men soon.

Oh and there's also a subplot in this issue between the SHIELD spies sent to infiltrate JGH and Aaron's students. But that's not really important for this writer.

Wolverine and the X-Men # 40 is out now.

New Avengers # 8 Spoilers - Atlantis versus Wakanda

Black Panther can be an asshole sometimes as seen in the issue of New Avengers # 8 by Jonathan Hickman and Mike Deodato Jr.

"LORDS OF CHAOS" As casualties pile up in the ongoing war between Wakanda and Atlantis, an Illuminati member is forced to make a hard choice.An Inhuman learns of the Illuminati's plans.Prelude to INFINITY: Everything falls apart.

So Black Panther is still a bad ass in my book but he's also a supreme class dick.

He frigging gloats over the fact that there are Wakandan troops in Atlantean territory.

Obviously Atlantis never stood a chance without Prince Namor at their side. I like stuff like for a number of reason:

(a) It brings tension and new dynamics to a team book.
(b) It shows a different side to a character in this case, T'Challa who is still pissed over the fact that Namor destroyed Wakanda when he was still possessing the Phoenix force back in AVX.
(c) It shows a desperate albeit failed attempt at returning. It shows a characters vulnerability (a word Namor despises so much.)

It's not world shattering but its definitely going to be a big issue for the team in NEW AVENGERS and even reshape the world politics in 616.

Learn the whole story in NEW AVENGERS # 8. Available at:

The Real Score with Uncanny X-Men's Magik ~ Spoilers

It would seem like Ilyanna Rasputin of the Uncanny X-Men might have become more powerful after AvX but writer Brian Michael Bendis shows us that not all is well for the mutant teleporter and one-time queen of Limbo.

Spoilers for Uncanny X-Men # 5 after the cut...

PICK OF THE WEEK Uncanny X-Men # 3 Review (Spoilers)

It's been a while since I read a comic book that promises action, delivers talk and yet still ends with that satisfying feeling. Uncanny X-Men # 3 proved that it's going to be one of those books that'll really hit the spot for some superhero 'politicking' and propaganda and some fan favorite moments. 

Given the great material Bendis has been churning out ever since he became 'THE WRITER' for the X-Books, it's hard not to think why he didn't do this before. However, you should also consider that it wouldn't probably be this good if the settings were different (i.e. there was no AVX to speak of).

Bendis demonstrates to us that you can pick up a comic book that subscribes to Marvel's ideals of printing crap with the Avengers on it and still make for some interesting stuff. The Cyclops that we're seeing is a completely different beast here and I'm pretty happy with it. It's also nice to know that Marvel is keen on following the established team over in Jonathan Hickman's Avengers book.

Uncanny X-Men # 1 Spoilers - Who Betrayed Cyclops?

The solicits for Uncanny X-Men # 1 hinted out that there's a traitor in Cyclops' new team and by the end of the first issue, we already find out who that person is.

Find out who the traitor is after the cut. Oh and SPOILER ALERT

All New X-Men # 5 Spoilers

Some minor and major spoilers for Marvel's All New X-Men # 5 written by Brian Michael Bendis with art by Stuart Immonen. 

This has got to be a very Jean Grey-centric book that we've all been missing for such a long time now. I got the book solely because it spotlights the recently returned Ms. Grey. 

Spoilers begin after the cut. 

Some Minimates Hauls for December - Rachel Grey, 80s Rogue and Sentinel

On a whim, I took some photos of the new Marvel Minimates that I acquired in the past few weeks.

Thanks to Kevin for the two figures (Rachel Grey aka Marvel Girl and Sentinel army builder.) And another big shout out to Minimates master Oneng who sold me the 80s Rogue. I'm still looking forward to finding the 80s Colossus minimate. It's a rather cool thing to look at these "flying" minis with a sky blue background. I'm scratching my head why I didn't do this before.

Another image after the cut...

All New X-Men # 3 Spoilers - Optic Blast Malfunction

What happens to modern day Cyclops and the rest of his X-Tinction team? Find out in All New X-Men # 3 by Brian Michael Bendis and Stuart Immonen.

Find out what problems Cyclops, Magneto, Magik and the returning Emma Frost faces after the cut.

AVX Consequence # 5

AVX Consequences # 5 is the missing "oomph" which was thoroughly missed in the whole AVX saga.

Gabriel Hernandez Walta does the art chores for the final installment of Cyclops' story before he transitions to "Uncanny X-Men" with Bendis.

So here are my thoughts.

- The art was rather bland especially after the awesome last issue featuring the art of Mark Brooks. It doesn't meld well with some parts but I have to give much props for the way the panels were done on the last page.

- Some great dialogues especially coming from Cyclops and Magneto. I'm really impressed with the way Gillen ended Consequences. Pro-Cyclops fans have been using this book to show support for the disgraced mutant leader.

- The most interesting aspect for AVX Consequences was the 180 degree shift in the roles that Wolverine and Cyclops are now playing. It's like we're teleported back to the early days of Marvel's merry mutants in Utopia with Cyke as the dutiful leader and Logan as the man who does all the things that needs to be done.

Again, the story was spot-on, near awesome but the art seemed to drag it down. This moment actually would have been better if it was done by another artist. Colors on the other hand tried its best trying to appease the art but hey, there's a limit for that right?

Cyclops said it himself, he's going to be doing the hard things to make sure that the kids in the school are safe from humans that hate and fear them for being born different.

It's pretty cool that Scott finally understands that his and Wolverine's roles have been replaced with him being the 'grey' guy and Logan being the guy in white. It's an interesting dichotomy and seeing that Wolverine is pretty content with the school, these two are taking the classic Magneto-Xavier conflict to the next level.

Verdict: 4.5/5

The book would have been perfect if not for the art that was done on this ish. Not saying that it was ugly, but rather it felt out of place.

Phoenix Five Cyclops, Scarlet Witch and Phoenix Killer Iron Man Minimates

The aforementioned trio together with the Protector are the chosen winners for the TRU Exclusive AVX minimates. 

If you remember a few months ago there was an online poll regarding which characters should join this sough-after wave.Seems like we finally have our answers. 

Avengers # 32 Spoilers - the Return of....

Seems like nobody really stays dead as Avengers  #32 proves. The book is written by Brian Michael Bendis with art by Mike Mayhew and Brandon Peterson and continues the "End Times" storyline.

Let me once again state this clear. This is a spoiler, thus this:

So Who Was the Villain in AVX? Cyclops or Captain America?

AVX is dead and gone leaving some massive property damage and one big game casualty in the form of Charles Xavier. The real question I'd like to raise is who really was the villain in this maxi-series?

I mean lets admit it, all three arcs had their own flaws and imperfection and more importantly it led to more head scratching especially since we're privy into the motivations of each of the major players in the book.

The Two T-Shirts I'd Like to Wear Post-AVX

Some cool t-shirt designs have been popping up recently after the events of Marvel Comics' "Avengers vs X-Men" including these two shirts which are now my personal favorites.

.... and with that I am officially looking for a good printer where I could order dozens of these. Then I'll probably give them away just for the heck of it. Or maybe I could sell 'em before Marvel decides to actually make these products legit and they'll sell for like $50 (equivalent to like 2000 Philippine pesos)...

Hey maybe I really should.

Best Moments from AvX Vs # 6

Here are some of the best moments from AvX Vs # 6 by a host of different Marvel writers and artists including Arthur Adams and Jim Cheung and much more.

Some were weird, some were cool and some were downright great to look at.

Uncanny X-Men # 19 Spoilers - Jean Grey Reacts to Dark Phoenix Cyclops

In this week's issue of UNCANNY X-MEN # 19 by Kieron Gillen and Dale Eaglesham we get to see the first Phoenix Jean Grey give her reaction to Scott's recent craziness.

AVX # 11 Spoilers - The Customary Event Book Death Happens

Spoilers for AVX (Avengers vs X-Men) # 11 by Brian Michael Bendis and Olivier Coipel.

Cyclops Revealed to be the Bad Guy for AVX Finale

The once mysterious central figure to the variant cover for AVX # 12 has now been revealed to be none other than Cyclops.

The Dark Phoenix Cometh - AvX # 12

Oh goodie she's really back!

The teaser for AvX # 12 features a very familiar figure standing tall and exhibiting the Phoenix raptor.

Avengers vs X-Men # 10 Spoilers - Hope Goes Kung Fu Fighting

Hope Summers kicks her grandfather's ass in a new turning point in AvX # 10 by Ed Brubaker and Andy Kubert.

In this week's issue we find we see Cyclops finally finding out Hope's exact whereabouts. As to why he still needs Hope when he already has the a half of the Dark Phoenix's power perplexes me but this is a simple plot point so on with it.

Kaare Andrew's Avengers Plus X-Men Looks Wicked

Kaare Andrews is getting back on my radar thanks to his great looking artwork. You really have to check out his work on AvX VS # 4. Now the artist shows his skills in rendering Spidey and Beast.

I love the way he did Kitty Pryde together with Lockheed on the top lefthand corner. Too bad we see more of Lockheed rather than Kitty.