All-New X-Men #19

By Brian Michael Bendis, Brandon Peterson and Israel Silva

The original 5 X-Men are in a different time, they have new uniforms, are on a new team and could potentially have a new member soon. This issue of All-New X-Men is the start of a whole bunch of changes and it seems like it’s only the beginning.

Kitty and Magik take the team out on a mission to stop some purifiers and it turns out to be very eye opening for the team. A suspected mutant is being hunted and Kitty attempts to help her, but it doesn’t seem like she wants it. Guns are drawn, enemies are made and people get shot.

Brian Michael Bendis is on a roll. Between his takeover of the X-Books to Guardians of the Galaxy, he is turning out some of his best work in recent memory. One of the great things about this issue, is that you can begin to see the X-Men from the past take on similar traits that their future counter parts have. We see Angel drop a man and watch as he fall, or Scott giving orders and leading a team like a boss. Bendis plants these little plot points, and they will be touched upon again. Magik continues to thrive under Bendis’ pen too, she almost steals every issue that she’s in. Bendis is really bringing his “A” game to this title and it shows.

It’s hard not to love Brandon Petersons art, his style is very contagious. That being said, this issue, his work seems very similar to what Stuart Immonen does for this title on a monthly basis. Petersons pencils generally have a darker inking to them, like his Ultimate X-Men work, and he does his own inks for this issue, which seems to be a bit lighter. There are many gorgeous and great panels in this book, form Jean ripping into a purifier’s mind, to a close up of Laura’s eye as she is being hunted. His panel set up and shadows really stand out this issue, and they set the tone for this book, which is heavier than some of the other issues as of late.

This continues to be one of the best Marvel titles on the shelf these days, and with Brandon Peterson filling in this month, it’s a can’t miss. Bendis continues to show what a great story teller he is through his work on this title, and the art is consistently top shelf. An all around excellent title.