X-Men #10: Sticks and Stones. Sticks and Stones…

Tensions are flaring up between the mutants and ORCHIS, as the X-Men realize that Feilong, Doctor Stasis, and the rest of ORCHIS have been hoarding the dead bodies and adamantium skeletons from the fallen X-Men, when their sensors pick up a female with adamantium in the hands of ORCHIS, so they decide to send Wolvie-23 to scout out what exactly they have their, and save the possible undead Laura survivor in their possession (it’s actually Lady Deathstrike). Plus we get some more scenes with Rogue and Destiny, of which have been one of the most interesting character development moments that we’ve seen in this book, along with Polaris’s from earlier in this run. 

So I’m going to be completely honest with you, I don’t like Laura. I don’t like Scout, I don’t really like Logan, despite my love of the X-world. The only Wolvie related character that I don’t cringe while reading (not including some of his supporting cast, and villains) would have to be Daken. Now, with that out of the way, I didn’t mind her in this issue. She wasn’t the highlight for me, but I didn’t care that she was there. My favorite part of the issue was the Lady Deathstrike returning to the land of the living, and I hope that her appearance here leads to more appearances down the road. Also, the concerted effort to prop up Destiny in this new era for the X-books is always a plus for me. The fact that she’s not a fan of the toxic relationship that is Rogue and Gambit makes her even more entertaining here. It’s like seeing the disdain she has for Gumbo tickles me pink. I can’t get enough of it. 

We have Javier Pina back on art duties here, and I cannot gush moreover how much I have enjoyed his work here. I can honestly say that Pepe Larraz is Marvel’s absolute best artist they currently have working on their titles (and considering the level of talent they currently have, that’s really saying something), but to see the quality level Pina has been showing on this book has been breathtaking. The X-titles have long been a breeding ground for cultivating talent, and creating superstars out of them, and it looks like we’re heading in the same direction here. I’m excited to see what Pina will bring on this book, but also see if he snags another title where he’s the series artist, as opposed to a fill-in here.