X-Men: Second Coming – up to X-Men Legacy 235. I really hated the artificial juxtaposition of pacifism and justified killing at war being summed up by Logan killing an enemy begging for his life for no good reason. It was just too far into cold-bloodedness and seemed jarring and artificial. I understand it’s meant to be divisive, but that way of presenting a dilemma was too far to the extreme – even in real wars, plenty of prisoners are taken. Warlock’s decision was a little more believable – and of course, I always love anything with Doug and Warlock – but it’s still all much too superficial. Still, the actual storyline is a compelling chase, the different art styles between the different titles are interesting and there have been chances for unlikely characters – including Archangel, Cannonball and Warlock – to look cool. 

Naruto 607 brought the flashback to an end with a whimper. At least it can get somewhere now.

One Piece 686 wasn’t amazing, but had some really fun moments, especially when Zoro and Sanji were reunited.  

...and comics

XMen Second Coming 01: I go through Marvel continuities in fits and starts, but I have a general idea of what’s going on with Hope. I must say, I like her more as of this issue than I did her in Cable’s future, though possibly that’s partly the art. It’s quite jarring seeing the X-men indiscriminately slaughtering humans – apparently part of an X-Force arc – but the story is getting interesting. A few faces here I just don’t recognise, though. Where on earth did Pixie come from? She seems like an intrusion from a different genre. And is Warlock (Douglock?) back with the New Mutants?

This week’s Naruto and One Piece sadly didn’t have very much to say. Ah well. 

Wakfu ‘Manga’ chapter 5 + Extras. High drama, which the dodgy art just about managed to get through without undermining. Unfortunately, what it all boiled down to was a collection quest for what is essentially a goddess – and no explanation why she can’t go and do the quest herself instead of having Yugo and pals do it.

The extras are largely sketches that just make me think ‘That isn’t the Yugo I know!’ Still, interesting to see he’s 14 now. 

One Piece 684: mostly exposition, setting up all the action coming to a head in one room, and showing our bad guy really is bad, nonetheless the cliffhanger was one of the odder ones in One Piece. Just what is that little Chinese dragon?

Naruto 605: despite ‘bloody mist’ making me read a minor character’s dialogue in an amusing cockney accent, this chapter was interesting, taking a decidedly seinen turn with its extreme gore. There’s a modicum of braveness in Naruto yet – even if honestly it’s still pretty juvenile and it doesn’t go anywhere HunterXHunter didn’t seven years ago. 

One Piece 683: An all-too-short chapter that didn’t really have any big laughs (even with Luffy being dumb), nor great developments, but was still fun to read and promises an interesting showdown or two. Those drug-addict kids are unpleasant…

Naruto 604: Well…it was slow to make its point, but it certainly made it, and I have to say for the first time I’m interested in what will happen next in this flashback.