X-Men Red #11
Recap
It has all come down to this-- a final confrontation between Cassandra Nova and Jean Grey, with the entire might of the Red Team, Atlantis, and The Avengers on hand to assist.
Much of this issue is centered around the frenetic action sequences as we see each member of the team get their moment to shine in the final confrontation. As the South Korean Helicarrier prepares to explode, Gentle is teleported on board by Kurt to hold the nuclear reactor at bay with his bare hands until later, assisted by Thor, Remy manages to kinetically charge the entire Helicarrier to blow non-nuclearly (I'm not certain the science of this would stand up to scrutiny, but I'll allow it).
Meanwhile, the real fight involves a bait and switch with Laura, Gabby, Kurt, and Jean (with an off-panel assist from Trinary). Laura distracts Nova while Kurt 'ports Gabby's fist inside Nova's head-- a fist containing a reprogrammed nano-Sentinel that, as Jean goes on to describe, will repair Nova's lost sense of empathy.
The issue closes much how the series began, with Jean making an address before the United Nations regarding the divisions in the world she returned to. Roll credits.
Review
Much of Taylor’s run on Red has been defined by his examination of the false divisions we have constructed that threaten to tear 21st century society apart and the finale works hard to not only drive home the falsity of these demarcations but goes so far as to present a solution. The loss of empathy in the world is astounding and we sadly have no Sentinites available to remedy the situation, but here in X-Men: Red, we can dream of a world where the broken can be healed, hatred can be quelled, and a global community not defined by internet trolls could thrive.
From a bevy of new characters with distinct voices to the return of some old faces, the greatest gift Taylor has bestowed on the comics community is hope that “this too shall pass” if we only try. Try to understand. Let love rise above hate. Say hello. Hold the door. Remember that there is a backspace key when you are angry. Even the vilest of villains can find redemption in Tom Taylor’s world. That means something.
Final Thoughts
X-Men: Red comes to a close with this issue. While it wasn't a perfect issue, it was a fitting conclusion to a remarkable series. If you've been waiting for the trades, your time is almost here and your wait will be well rewarded!
X-Men: Red #11: … and Justice For All
- Writing - 9/109/10
- Storyline - 8/108/10
- Art - 7/107/10
- Color - 8/108/10
- Cover Art - 8/108/10