Wolverine and the X-Men #18

I admire this issue of Wolverine and the X-Men for the simple reason that it manages to actually fit, continuity-wise, into the final issue of the whole Avengers vs. X-Men event, all without making any apparent errors. (But there are some spoilers, so read the AvX story first.)

The issue bounces back and forth between the events in that issue and the attempts at the Jean Grey School to keep things "normal" for the students.

Of course, there's not much normal about the school, as it's loaded with odd young mutants. (Say, didn't the mutants all go away at some point? Where did this crew come from? Ah well.)

There's angst, broken hearts, betrayal and assorted other dysfunction going on, along with a menace or two from the school's newest enemy.

It's all very tragic and fast-paced and heartfelt. It only marginally holds together (you would think they would suspend class during the end of the world), but it is clever and sets up lots of storylines for the year ahead.

But hopefully they'll get a few issues in before the next event comes along and disrupts things.

Grade: B+

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