This issue concludes the first arc of Austen's run, and it's pretty much of the same quality as the past two - somewhere slightly north of mediocre overall, with some small exceptional bits. This issue is also the first to feature a highly-stylized anime cover, in this case it's a rather striking image of Nightcrawler. The linework is decent, but it's the coloring that really makes it stand-out - it looks like it came straight out of a Madhouse production. I wish I could find out who did this and the following three covers, as they're all pretty good looking and their personal style is slick. Speaking of art though, Ron Garney kind of phones it in with this one. The layouts are fine, it's just that the detail lines from the first two issues aren't there and the characters start looking bland and lumpy. It doesn't ruin the issue, but it's disappointing after he started off so well.
As for the story, there's nothing much to say about it. The X-Men regroup with Xavier and fight off Black Tom. There's some good action bits that take advantage of the team's powers and show them off, plus Stacy X doesn't come off as annoying (she's still a chore to put up with, but not as much; I'm glad she's leaving the book soon). The real bright spot in this issue is, once again, the Juggernaut. We get a couple of very well-written scenes where Juggs has to face his oldest friend (who now sees him as an enemy), and his longest and most hated nemesis (who will from now on be his ally). You can see how much it breaks Cain's heart to turn on Tom, and the passive aggressive tone he takes with Charles makes his scenes with him a real treat. Austen just gets Cain; from the dialogue, to the emotion, motivation, etc. - it's solid character work, and it'll be one of the things that keeps me reading as things get... weirder. There's also the denouement with Juggs getting rescued by Fishboy, convincing him to stay with Xavier. It's a decent scene, and an important one that sets up the two characters' friendship, but it comes off as a little sappy.
And speaking of sappy, we get more Annie in this issue. Like I said, i don't mind her; in fact, Austen actually gives he some strong moments, but that comes in later arcs. Right now she comes off as a bit of a psycho with her obsession with Alex, but I guess I can see how if you were feeling lonely and you were spending all this time around a coma patient, you might start talking to them and develop an attachment. It's still weird, but I guess I can understand it. I can admire Austen trying to work in a strong single mother character, plus the logic that he puts forth for why she's not a misogynistic character makes sense(basically everybody can be lonely, everybody wants someone, it's not limited to just men or women). Also, I do like the bit where she tells Scott that Alex will still need a nurse - it's a solid 9-panel grid page that works as a storytelling device. I just love the craft side of that scene.
Anyways.... This arc wasn't a bad way to start a run. Like any writer starting on the X-Men, his first story had some flaws, but you have to give the guy time to find his feet. The story also had some strong points, and he set up some promising subplots that he will pay off down the road, which is more than I can say for some past X-Men writers.
