Astonishing X-Men #4

LIFE OF X pt IV

Written by Charles Soule
Penciled by Carlos Pacheco
Cover by Carlos Pacheco
Published Oct 4, 2017

   After stabbing a British police officer, the X-Men must stop Logan. But how. Angel cannot. Bishop will try. But as Charles Xavier tells her, it's gonna take Psylocke to do it. She tells him that if she does so, the others will be trapped. But if not, Logan will just kill her anyway. As he knocks Bishop out the building, Psylocke attacks. She counters his moves and throws him out the building as well.

See ya, Oldie!

   Meanwhile on the Astral Plane, Mystique lounges in an old apartment with Fantomex among champagne. He mentions that they're still trapped but Mystique tells him if they're gonna go out, she's gonna go out in style. Back in reality, Bishop hurdles to the ground but is able to use the kinetic energy in his body to slow him. He doesn't do the same for Logan, who lands with a thud and is shelled by the nearby police helicopter. 

He's fine. Just go.

   On the Astral Plane, Gambit and Rogue relax in a hot tub but as he touches her hand, she remembers. It could be a trap. But Gambit looks like he's willing to take the risk. In London, Angel reminds the police that Logan cannot be killed. He leaps aboard the helicopter and and takes swipe after swipe before Warren finally hits him fast, flying him through a building before he lands and takes two sales associates back with him to the Shadow King. And speaking of, panel after panel shows Mystique, Fantomex, Gambit and Rogue living it up. Beaches, jetskis, ballroom dancing, before finally Gambit makes his move. Suddenly in an embrace, the mutants kiss their partners but Gambit finds himself alone.

It's an X-Makeout Extravaganza.

   The issue wraps with Fantomex, Rogue, and Mystique whisked away with the dead Charles Xavier, who reminds them he has some explanations to make. Missing is Gambit, to whom he explains that he was unable to save him. At that moment the ragin' Cajun's eyes pop open in London with Farouk's black stare. What happens next though will have to wait, as this issue is left to be continued.

Look what happens when Rogue leaves you hanging...

   A more grownup spin on the X-Men, this issue was probably more intense than I've seen in a long time. Obviously these characters are supposed to have human desires, and one has to think how much it must torture them to just have to save the day all the time and never act upon them. Still, the Astral Plane in the valley of the Shadow King is no place for hanky panky. All I know is this book is beginning to really have it all and is deliciously old school - still affirming how much I miss Professor X. Is this teasing his return to the world of the mortals? One can only hope. I give this issue a 10/10.

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