About Heroes

Author: Mike Carey
Artist: Mike Choi & Scot Eaton
Colors: Sonia Oback

This is it. The epilogue to Blinded by the Light also serves as the prequel to Messiah Complex. It is also the ending of the Endangered Species chapters. With Beast coming to a conclusion about the end and the past, what’s going to happen to all the depowered mutants? Will Iceman be the only active member of Rogue's team? Will Gambit stay evil? Will I keep reading X-men even if Chuck Austen and Pat Lee take over the book?

If you were expecting answers to those questions, you won't find them here. Bobby is feeling guilty for the choices he made that led to Cannonball getting brain damage. Blindfold has more dark visions of things to come. Meanwhile Cyclops is trying to come to terms with losing his son.....again, while Emma tries to be understanding. The Marauders are trying to get the Books of Destiny out of Rogues head and Bobby confronts Scott about the future of the team. Ohh yeah and Scarlett Witch tells Beast a really pointless story that makes her possible role in Messiah Complex confusing.

Carey really shined in this issue and I can't point out what it really was but everything just read so well. It's been a long time since I've enjoyed an X-men comic this much. I have to say the best part about the issue was the confrontation between Bobby and Scott. Two original X-men arguing over Rogue's leadership abilities and whether the team should be shut down or not, brings back memories of the team hanging out at Harry’s. It really shows how much Bobby has grown from being the joker of the team to one that takes responsibility for his fallen comrades. I remember Professor X during the Inferno saga making a comment that Bobby could be the most powerful mutant, because he could freeze the world. I loved the interaction between Gambit/Rogue/Mystique, because you really don't know what is on their true agenda.

Mike Choi's artwork was the perfect choice for a story like this. I can see that he is growing as an artist. The older characters are now looking their proper age and I can actually tell the men apart. I think the only complain I have was his portrayal of Mr. Sinister. He looks too Vampire Lestat for me, but everything else looks fantastic. I wouldn't mind having him as a regular artist. Even though the ending of Endangered Species was very anticlimactic, with the exception of Beast burying all the victims of Neverland, I am still very excited about Messiah Complex. It's been a few years since a big X-over (I think Operation Zero Bullshit was the last one). It almost brings out the 12 year old in me looking at the upcoming covers for the cross-over. A