About Heroes

This review was submited by Hero 004
Writer-Robert Kirkmen
Penciler-Ben Oliver
Inker-Jonathan Glapion

Review

Part two of the Phoenix story arc; this issue starts off with Kurt at the end of the unconscious Ali's hospital bed unloading his feelings to her about how alone he is, especially with her hospitalized. Now picking up where the last issue left off, Cyclops is in a hurry to get out of the mansion and help Colossus at the Academy of Tomorrow now that their dance has been attacked by the Brotherhood of Mutants. Despite his constant pleading, Cyclops is still reluctant to take along the newest member, Elliot (later to be called the Magician), a mutant with the ability to alternate reality and unintentionally killed his parents. After meeting up with Storm, Iceman, and Rouge, he finds out that he is shorthanded and has no choice but to take Elliot along with them to the battle.

As they fly off in the new X-Wing (I would prefer X-Jet because of the identical name in Star Wars), back in the mansion Jean Grey is about to go through with the test on weather or not she is the Phoenix. Although she does not want to cooperate, she agrees to do it for the Professor. He takes his leave and they start with a blood sample. Still frustrated with the idea, she asks what will happen if the tests are positive. Lilandra (the one "interviewing" her) replies that before she turns twenty, the phoenix will manifest itself and she will save the world by remaking the universe into a glorious paradise.

Up in the X-Wing they are preparing to land and Elliot decides to conjure up his own uniform after Iceman teases him about wearing Scott's cloths. After they arrive outside of the building, they see colossus thrown through the wall. They are then attacked bye Emma Frost's students attending the dance, who are being manipulated by Mastermind, making them see the X-Men as the Brotherhood. Cyclops orders them to take them out without hurting them.

Meanwhile at the institute, Jean is still very uncomfortable. She stops answering the questions and elaborates on how horrific the visions she is having are. She says that the only thing keeping her sane is telling herself that it is all in her head. She tells her that if the test results show that it is real and that she is the Phoenix, the first thing she will do is jump off a bridge!

Back at the battle scene, the X-men take down the group of fellow mutants with ease and manage not to hurt them. During this short fight, Elliot shows that he is under control of his powers by helping Cyclops. The heroes are then attacked by the Brotherhood of Mutants for real and Elliot demonstrates his powers once more by splitting an atom in front of Blob.

At the mansion Jean Grey has broken down crying and when Lilandra tries to talk to her, Jean starts speaking in a strange fashion. Her eyes light up yellow, fire surrounds her, and she proclaims that she is going to unmake the world!

Thoughts

I enjoyed this issue and how it was put together. I know that the art in Ultimate X-Men is not going to get better than Andy Kubert and Danny Miki's, but I liked the art in the Date Night story line allot better than that of these issues. The lack of facial detail is especially noticeable. I really enjoyed the story. It was cool seeing the Elliot Boggs character flesh out more and I'm looking forward to his own story arc after this one. I'm defiantly exited for the conclusion and seeing what happens with Jean. I give this issue a B.