The moment I first held you.

X-Force #28 *****
Writer(s): Craig Kyle and Chris Yost
Artist(s): Mike Choi and Sonia Oback
Cover Artist: Adi Granov
Variant Cover Artist (featured): David Finch
Publisher: Marvel

This is the penultimate chapter to the epic event known as Second Coming. There's a lot of great things to discuss so I'll break it into parts. First off I've got to tip my hat to the X-Force creative team. Yost and Kyle have been just brilliant with the writing. And Choi and Oback have done an amazing job translating the words into artistic beauty. That's what this book is, utterly beautiful. The penciling combined with the coloring makes this series by far the most aesthetically pleasing and appealing book of the entire story. That coupled with the writing, which does an excellent job of telling the story, evoking emotion, but also letting the art do the talking when necessary. When it comes to comics, a great writer knows how to tell a story and knows when text is not necessary. This creative team has had the luxury, in my opinion, of taking on the best and most important parts of Second Coming, and who ever made this decision should be more than pleased with that decision.

Nathan Summers has been one of my favorite characters since I was a kid. At the time, it was merely because he was Scott Summers' son. However, as time passed and I came to learn more about Cable, be it through comics or the X-Men animated show, my fascination with the character continued to blossom. For people to truly grasp the significance of his death, you have to know his history. As a baby Nathan was infected with a Techno-Organic virus that rapidly converted the organic matter of his body into machinery. He was whisked into the future where he would learn to keep the virus at bay using his telekinetic and telepathic powers, thus requiring him to turn into the super soldier he is now. The scene with Cable and Hope in the 31st century was perfect. You really get a sense of their close relationship, which is epitomized when Cable tells Hope that everything inside of him changed from the moment he held her. Cable has been fighting his techno-organic virus since he was a baby and he finally let the virus overcome him so that his daughter would be saved. Now if that doesn't move you, you're crazy.

Then there was the greatness that was the Battle. From the moment she was born Hope has been the mutant race's final hope. There has been flickers of a power growing within Hope over the past months, but all that waiting finally paid off. Though the exact nature of her powers remain a mystery, the entire fight scene was a beauty to read. Hope manifests variations of around 8 different mutant powers, though it should be noted that she appears to favor Scott's eye blasts. She also noticeably has a fiery aura surrounding her that has a striking resemblance to the the Phoenix. One of my favorite use of text in the entire story takes place in this issue, when Cable's words to Hope explaining how she will know she is ready, echoes through the entire fight scene. I just find the combination of text and imagery in those scenes to be perfect.

On a final note, I wanted to spotlight three scenes. The first, which is probably my favorite, is at the moment where Hope clearly resembles the Phoenix, and though it's not sexual there is this sense that there will always be a connection between the Phoenix and Scott, one that does not include Emma.  This scene segues into Scott and Logan rushing into save Hope and it had to be them. When it comes to the Phoenix, it's always had to be them. I think there notes of symbolism throughout the issue that works well with the story in its entirety. Back to the camp scene, there's one panel with a profile of Nathan's face and it's painfully brilliant. It captures all the necessary emotion and then some. Regardless of what the future has in store for this gang, Nathan's got a permanent spot on my fantasy X-team.

Avengers:
The Children's Crusade #1 ****1/2
Writer: Allan Heinberg
Artist(s): Jim Cheung and Mark Morales
Cover Artist(s): Jim Cheung and Justin Ponsor
Publisher: Marvel

How exciting is it to have our Young Avengers back in action. In case you have not noticed, the Avengers in general are not a group that I find to be interesting at all. The Young Avengers, however, are the exception. Ever since Billy and Tommy have appeared there have been speculations that they are the manifestations of Wanda Maximoff's deceased children. When Wiccan, or Billy, unleashes his magics on a villainous bunch, leaving them comatose, the Old Avengers take it upon themselves to "test" him. Hulkling accompanies Wiccan to the testing facility, where a bit of affection ensues, before Tommy breaks them out. The Young Avengers decide the only way to fix things is to find Wanda and introduce her to her sons, which just happens to be when Grampa Magnus appears.

I thought that this was great start to what I hope to be a great run. I have thoroughly enjoyed everything that the Young Avengers have appeared in. For the most part, the Young Avengers' books feel more like a DC book rather than a Marvel book. In short, Marvel heroes have always felt like the superhero aspect was their job, while the non-superhero lives were their true selves. Whereas in DC books, the superhero was the character's true self. When I read the Young Avengers I feel as if they are more superheroes that happen to have normal aspects to their lives and less normal people with superhero jobs. Regardless, I loved it. The writing was great and so was the art. Young Avengers and Wanda Maximoff, bring in Pietro somewhere along the road and you've got yourself a great series.

X-Men #1 ***
Writer: Victor Gischler
Artist: Paco Medina and Juan Vlasco
Cover Artist(s): Adi Granov
Publisher: Marvel

Coming into this series I had mixed feelings. On the one hand, I had just read Death of Dracula, which if you recall, I thought was great. The story was great, the art was great, it was an overall great intro piece to the story. On the other hand, this was a new X-title, dealing with vampires, by a writer I was unfamiliar with. I've got to say, I enjoyed it. By no means was this issue the best of the week, but it was still good. First and foremost, the art was excellent. Everything just came together well. The plot is decent, nothing to write home about. Other than the Vampire sacrificing himself to spread the infection at the very beginning, there was really not much action. I did enjoy that the X-Men were going back to doing what they did best and that is really just protecting the general public; San Francisco has been good to them. I can't say I care for Jubilee, so her turning into a Vampire means very little to me. Though apparently a lot of the characters care about her, so that will definitely cause a ruckus. To reiterate, good start not great.

The Walking Dead #74 ****
Writer: Robert Kirman
Artist: Charlie Adlard
Cover Artist: Charlie Adlard
Publisher: Image

Living in a world full of zombies has got to be tough, living in a world full of zombies with a child has got to be much worse. Carl's been through a whole lot and has changed a whole lot, luckily he's got papa Rick there to take care of him. I am a bit surprised that Andrea would reject Rick's offer to be in possession of a gun, because she of all people should know just how easily zombies can attack. It's been quite for a while, I just hope that Glenn isn't going to die. With his promise of safe return to Maggie and his new job, things aren't looking so good for our residential comic. I think it's great that the new guys, Rick and the gang, are quickly becoming accepted, maybe even looked up to. They've survived in the outside world for so long, they really are the best suited to lead an enclosed town. This series continues to be amazing, in both the writing and the art. Unfortunately for everyone, it looks like  Morgan may just create havoc for everyone and naturally it is because he has found god once more.

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