X-Men: Legacy #212
Writer: Mike Carey
Penciler: Scot Eaton
Inkers: John Dell & Andrew Hennessy

A silent flashback from 1999 and a dream sequence is the extent of Wolverine’s cameo. Much more than his cover appearance would suggest.

And not being a regular reader of this series, I can’t really recommend it.

Anyone out there want to bring the rest of the class up to speed?

From Marvel (Preview): “Professor X is trying to rebuild memories of his past using other people’s minds. But the past is coming back to haunt him in another way, as a swathe of tragic deaths turns out to be linked by only one factor: Brian Xavier, the Professor’s long-dead father. And solving the mystery means paying a visit to the Hellfire Club…” On sale May 29, 2008.

X-Force (Vol. 2) #4
‘Angels & Demons, Part 4’
Writer: Christopher Yost and Craig Kyle
Artist: Clayton Clay

In my excitement over Wolverine finally leading a black ops team, I failed to notice that this series is primarily about X-23.

Not a surprise since Yost and Kyle created the Wolverine clone.

Perhaps that is why I have been so disappointed by it. I expected a series about Wolverine leading a cunning team of professionals. Not a series about an emotionally-stunted killing machine coming to grips with the world around her.

So if you’ve enjoyed the run so far, this issue does not disappoint.

But if like me, you are waiting for Wolverine to take over the series, keep waiting. It’s more of the same.

From Marvel (preview): “The Purifiers have gathered the most deadly pieces of the X-Men’s past— but their plans are far from over…While Bastion continues to shape the future, Mathew Risman sets in motion an attack that will forever change two of our heroes. If the team can’t stop them from achieving their ultimate goal, mutantkind has little hope of survival.” On sale May 29, 2008.

Uncanny X-Men #498
“Divided We Stand, Part Four”
Writer: Ed Brubaker
Artist: Mike Choi

I shall ignore Cyclops and Emma in psychedelic San Francisco and instead focus on Wolverine, Nightcrawler and Colossus being tortured in Russia.

Much more fun.

Again, Brubaker and Choi deliver the goods. Great fight sequences, fun dialogue and a neat little surprise.

This is the Wolverine I like.

From Marvel (preview): “Cyclops and Emma Frost are trapped in far-out San Francisco – a city that looks and feels likes it’s the summer of ‘69. But there’s nothing groovy about this trip. Unless they can find the source of the strange transformation, Angel may lose his sanity – along with eight million other people. Meanwhile, Wolverine, Colossus and Nightcrawler face a red menace deep in the heart of Mother Russia.” On sale May 28, 2008.

Wolverine: First Class #3
“The Last Knights of Wundagore, Part One”
Writer: Fred Van Lente
Artist: Salva Espin

I really like this series.

It is respectful of the X-Men chronology circa 1981 and adds its own fun.

My favorite moment is when Wolverine snarls, “YOU KNOW, I’M OFFICIALLY TIRED OF YOU QUESTIONIN’ MY ORDERS EVERY FIVE MINUTES!” Kitty Pryde’s frustrated glower in response is just as priceless.

And the last page cliffhanger sets up for another promising issue.

From Marvel (preview): “Wolverine and Kitty Pryde travel to mysterious Mount Wundagore to seek a cure for Logan’s bestial rages from the High Evolutionary. But they soon discover they are Earth’s last hope against the ravenous hordes of the Evolutionary’s most fearsome creation — the rampaging Man-Beast!” On sale May 29, 2008.

Giant-Size Astonishing X-Men #1
Writer: Joss Whedon
Artist: John Cassaday

I wanted to love this issue.

But I’ve found that when a much-awaited finale gets delayed (in this case by over three months), my enthusiasm tends to wane and in this case, major spoilers are revealed prematurely by other series that aren’t running quite as late.

So as strong as this finale is (and it is quite good), it does suffer from chronic lateness and the impact of a ‘shock ending’ that is no longer quite as shocking.

Which is a shame. Because if this issue had come out in a more timely fashion, I’m sure I would be babbling on about how great it was.

Instead, I was left somewhat disappointed, noticing the flaws more than I normally would.

Still, Joss Whedon manages certain exchanges of dialogue that are absolutely priceless such as those between Agent Brand and Beast, Kitty and Emma, and Wolverine and Armor.

So, a definite keeper. I just wish I got to keep it a few months earlier.

From Marvel (preview): “Too big to be contained in a normal issue, the grand finale of Joss Whedon and John Cassaday’s landmark run is right here! The powerlords of Breakworld bring the fight to Earth. Can the X-Men stop them from destroying the whole planet? Will the Avengers join their fight? What we do know is this: one of the X-Men won’t walk away from this fight.” On sale May 29, 2008.