Astonishing X-Men #24
Writer: Joss Whedon
Artist: John Cassaday

Long-time readers well know that ‘Astonishing X-Men’ is my favorite X-Men comic and by far my favorite comic on the market today.

Last issue (#23) was simply one of the best X-Men comics I’ve ever read and while #24 is no longer the final Whedon/Cassaday issue (‘Giant-Size Astonishing X-Men’ will wrap up the run), I felt like a kid again as I opened the penultimate issue.

Wow, what a letdown.

I kept expecting misdirection, that wow-moment, but nothing. The issue felt disjointed, almost as if whole pages and panels were missing from my copy. And the final reveal left me shrugging my shoulders.

Perhaps I am being unfair.

The dialogue is still brilliant. Wolverine complains at one point, “Standing around talking feels a lot like standing around and talking. When does Pete get to throw me at something?” And the run is still the best thing Marvel has put out, possibly ever.

So I will wait for ‘Giant-Size Astonishing X-Men’ and keep the faith.

23 out 24 ain’t bad.

From Marvel: “Everything, from #1 to now, comes down to this. Things will change. One will not return. This is the end. Or is it?” On sale January 23, 2008.