Comics: All New X-men #5

After the last two issues I was becoming a little fearful that the series had lost its spark at such a young age. Thankfully this issue brings back the charm I loved when the series began and sets forth a new status quo.

Centring greatly on Jean Grey as she discovers literally all the bad things that have happened to her over the years. Within the space of one beautifully drawn double page spread; Jean learns about the men she loved, how powerful she will become and just how frequently she'll die. Instead of being scared to death (you know, again) she is encouraged to stay and make things "right", taking the leadership role from Scott; who she tells to leave her "the hell alone" at the series' close. This is not the Jean we're used to seeing and I welcome it. Everyone has accepted that their minds will be wiped by the Professor upon returning to the present as fact; allowing them to do whatever they want from now on without fear.

The other big focus of the issue is on the two Hanks as they work together in the space of future-Hank's mind to figure out what the hell is going on with his mutation. I'm happy to see this storyline finally come to a head after being introduced in the first issue. The cure they come up with involves stabilising his mutation (hopefully for the last time), turning him in to a large, gorilla-like creature that still has his trademark blue fur. I know there has been a lot of hate for the fan-dubbed cat-Beast since its introduction but I have always been a fan of it, vastly preferring it to the more classic blue form. I do quite like this new design, it is far more menacing than the cat form; looking a great deal more fierce. 

I am delighted to see more of an involvement from Kitty Pryde in this issue with her having played a fairly minor role in X-men comics for the last year or so. Her decision to lead the original X-men as they attempt to fix the future makes perfect sense with her recent desire to honour the Professor's legacy. For years she has been a favourite of mine and it is great to finally see her involved with the main plot again. 

Stuart Immonen is proving himself the perfect artist for the series. The aforementioned double page spread where Jean learns her entire history is superbly drawn. All the characters look fantastic and even the old costumes are growing on me a little. He is able to balance the massive cast Bendis has tasked him with, keeping them all distinctive enough to stand out. 

Returning All New X-men to top form and setting up a new mission statement for the time travellers this truly feels like an All New, All Different story for my favourite comic book team.