About Heroes

Authors: Craig Kyle & Chris Yost
Penciler: Skottie Young
Inker: Sean Parsons
Cover and Storybook Pages: Nico Henrichon

I'm not sure why most people, especially X-fans are afraid to touch New X-men. Since Kyle and Yost took the book over it has really turned into one of my favorite X-books. I found the original group of kids boring, but these kids are just fun. If this is a small taste of what Skottie Young has to offer; he will make an exceptional addition to the creative team. How do I describe this issue to long X-men readers? Well, think Uncanny X-men 153 with New Mutants 21 and throw in some Magik limited series and you got yourself an awesome combo (not in the sense of Killer Instinct!) How do I describe the book to someone who isn't familiar with the book or X-books? Think of it as a good story within a story illustrated beautifully.

In the aftermath of last story arc's fight Hellion watches over Mercury while the Cuckoo Sisters are planning something with Elixir. Of course those are just a couple of pages, the main story is used as a setup to the next story arc, hence forth the title: The Quest for Magik Prelude. In case you might not know just a quick recap: Magik is Illyana Rasputin, Colossus' little sister who spent years stuck in Limbo under the tutelage of her dark master, Belasco. She eventually returned to earth, joined the New Mutants, and during Inferno got separated from her Darkchylde persona and returned to her normal age of 7. She ended up dying of the Legacy Virus in Uncanny X-men 303. Throughout the years there have been hints at her return and she recently appeared in the House of Crap...err M miniseries.

Blindfold starts telling the kids the story of Illyana Rasputin that covers mostly everything from Uncanny 160 to the Black Sun miniseries. They don't even leave out the fact that Nightcrawler's ex, Amanda Sefton had taken over the mantle of Magik. To set the mood it is a dark umm clear night, but the fireplace really helps Blindfold freak the kids out. Supposedly Belasco has regain control over Limbo by defeating Sefton two days ago and is looking for his original apprentice. He can smell her on the people she last spent time with. The kids realize that it isn't a story and that it is currently happening as the ground breaks from under them.

I always thought Young's talents should be used in a kid team book, so this is the perfect title for him. His art is very reminiscent to that of Bill Sienkewicz mixed with a bit of anime and a bit of graphitti. However, for this issue it is a very dark style, not his usual over the top use of colors. This could be due to Parsons' inks and someone else handling the colors. Man, what kind I say about Henrichon's art other than stunning. The only other thing I have seen him draw were the animals in Pride of Baghdad book, but his humans and demons are just as fantastic. A great read to get me pumped about this upcoming story. Screw Bucky's, Hawkeye's, and Captain Marvel's weak ass returns if any one has a need and an easy way to come back from the dead it's Magik! A Now bring back S'ym, N'astirh, and the remaining New Mutants and you got one hella story!