X-Men #33: When the Nimrod hits your eye like a big pizza pie…

We’re just mere weeks away from the end of the Krakoan era, and the X-Men and their allies are launching their final assault against ORCHIS, and their allies! The Reavers attack the X-Men’s Madripoor stronghold, and they drag a crucified Callisto through the streets. Shadowkat saves her, with the help of Shinobi Shaw. Plus we find out that ORCHIS was all just a front for Nimrod’s grand plan!

The flagship X-Men title has had a very tumultuous time over the course of the last few years, and none so tumultuous as they have been since the last Hellfire Gala. Starting off strong, with Kitty’s transformation from the Red Queen to the killer ninja Shadowkat, who took out an entire team of ORCHIS goons. Then we get Firestar’s big move, showing that despite the lukewarm reception she got from the rest of the residents of the Krakoa, she was never really trusted. Then the team just doled out filler issue after filler issue, with lackluster reception from the fandom. Luckily as the end came closer, the quality in the issues began to raise as well, and this issue has been the best I’ve read since the issue where Firestar helped the Juggernaut escape.

One of the biggest boons for this issue was the discovery of Sebastian Shaw’s heel turn. Despite after him taking ORCHIS’s side, and “cured” himself of his mutation in Immortal X-Men #14, but was hedging his bets, by playing both sides. That’s what you have to love about Shaw. He’s willing to do anything, backstab anyone, as long as he ends up on top. It’s this character flaw that makes Shaw such a good character, and why it was such a great moment for Duggan’s run. Duggan’s run has had its issues, especially with characterization, but his Shaw felt so right here. So kudos to Duggan for having that killer voice for Shaw.

Joshua Cassara’s on art duties this issue, and really knocked it out of the park. Between his depiction of the Reavers, to the fight to save Callisto, to his rendition of Wolverine slicing & dicing up the goons who came to clear out the Morlock tunnels. Some enjoyable scenes here. Unfortunately not everything hits the same level. The biggest issue was the scene involving Cyclops and Nimrod. This scene seemed rushed, and a bit muddled, which ended the issue on an okay note. Luckily the team’s hit an upward trend, and hopefully it continues through the end.