About Heroes

Author: Ed Brubaker
Artist: Salvador Larroca
Colors: Jason Keith
Cover: Salvador Larroca

Three things return in this issue that made me really happy: X-men on Earth, Storm, and Salvador Larroca! I was one of the people that thought that the last story arc was 6 issues too long and I was expecting more of that from Brubaker, but I love being proved wrong.

Caliban and Leech (has this kid grown any? And where the hell is Artie?) make their way down the Morlock tunnels and are attacked by their own people. Led by Masque........wait what? Masque? The guy has been dead since X-force # 9 and there was a reason to kill him, he was fucking lame. I mean why bring back a lame character that would be like bringing Bucky back? Although in Claremont's Extreme X-men run there was mention of a character named Masque this is the first time we find out that it's the original Masque with a second mutation. Leaving a dying Caliban in the tunnels, the morlocks take Leech with them.

Nightcrawler is worried that Professor Xavier might be too healthy and going against his believes on invading people's thoughts. Warpath and Hepzibah share a moment about trying to fit in and talking about Corsair's death. I don't know if I'm alone here, but I really like Bru's portrayal of the protective Proudstar. It reminds me of the way Nicieza wrote him back in the days of X-force. Speaking of X-force Caliban shows up in his original size (pre-Apocalypse) weak and passes out in the arms of Warpath. This leads into why Storm shows up at the becking call of Professor X. I love the fact that Storm acknowledges her existence in the Fantastic Four and Black Panther books. Damn, it feels like this book is actually written in Marvel continuity. The whole point to Masque kidnapping Leech is so they can go and find Magneto so that mutants can reunite and rule mankind! So the search for Magneto begins.

I really enjoyed the issue. There were some great moments like: Storm doubt herself, since she really hasn't led the Morlocks in years, Warpath telling her that anybody would listen to her if she spoke, and Caliban return to be put on the roster of headshots on the cover. Of course there are some small things that felt lacking. Damn it! Bru had to remind us about the stupid Sentinels at the mansion. There really is no team at this moment and there was no mention of Darwin. I also hate the fact we haven't seen or heard how Scott reacted to the death of his father at his own brother's hand.

Brubaker has finally brought the X-men back home and damn that formula of trouble always looking for the X-men along with it. I'm glad to see him handle the characters so well and Larroca is the perfect artist to put this story together. Really happy to see him on a good X-title again and his return is strong in this issue! He really stands out when drawing the Morlocks and settings. On a side note...damn Valerie Cooper is looking old! This is the first time I have seen her drawn this rough, not that it's bad because it really suits the character. A solid set-up issue with some minor flaws. B+