If you are a Magik fan like me, then you’ve been waiting with bells on for the next chapter in her return. Well wait no longer… She’s back in this week’s X-Infernus. CBR had a special treat with a double sized preview.

The X-Men promise to make this one of the hottest winters ever! When last we saw Darkchylde, she had claimed the throne of Limbo as her own. And now she’s determined to get her soul back, even if she has to conquer Earth in the process. Can the combined forces of the X-Men stop her rampage? They’ll have to fight through every demon in Limbo to try.

To catch up anyone who missed her reappearance in the pages of the now defunct (sniff sniff sob) New X-Men… During the reality altering House of M crossover, Illyanna Rasputin reappeared in limbo as the Darkchylde - well part of her did. She’s there in body and mind, but her soul is missing.

She took part of Pixie’s soul (making her magic adept enough for novice spells). And after she and the kids of the “New X-Men” kicked Belasco’s demon ass, she tried to regain her soul through love by reaching out to brother Piotr and BFF Kitty Pryde, but found only rubble where the X-Mansion stood leaving her only the path of anger.

When saw her in Divided We Stand, Ilyanna swore vengeance on those who wronged her. She means to replace her soul with their own. Question is, who does she blame, and can she be stopped?

via CBR

I haven’t been this excited about a cartoon since I first saw Justice League (Later Justice League Unlimited). Marvel’s new Wolverine and the X-Men (I understand the reason his name is out front - but still, isn’t that like having a “Hulk and the Avengers” cartoon?) cartoon looks AMAZING!!!! So many familiar faces!

Apparently it has been airing in Canada and overseas for a few months… Any non spoiler comments/reviews?

via Marvel

The long-awaited sequel to the award-winning publishing sensation that made Kurt Busiek and Alex Ross into stars begins here! News photographer Phil Sheldon’s back, with the man-on-the-street’s perspective on the big events of the Marvel Universe, from the Avengers, the all-new X-Men and the Secret Wars to Dracula and the Werewolf By Night. But this time, Phil’s world is going to be rocked not just by superheroes and super-villains — but by something far more personal, as well.

Featuring the Marvel debut of artist Jay Anacleto, whose gorgeous, photorealistic pencil renderings give a new look at the Marvel Universe, and what it would be like to actually be there.

via CBR

Of the thousands and thousands of heroes and humans affected by the Skrull invasion, one man’s horror and heartbreak rises above the rest. This is the story of Luke Cage!

Who’s a Skrull? Jessica or the baby? Neither? Who didn’t tell Jessica that Jarvis was a Skrull and therefore NOT an appropriate baby sitter? If the baby ISN’T a Skrull, what does Jarvis want with it?

via CBR

Last week I reported about the story in Manifest Destinty #3 in which the latest Young X-Man (Jonas Graymalkin) came out to Anole (Victor Borkowski - and yes I’m using his real name because “his parents gave him a name and he likes to use it occasionally”). I think having 2 gay characters in a title as mainstream as Young X-Men is very important and will be watching these 2 like a hawk and hoping for realistic and responsible characterization.

As I said in my initial article, I am really hoping that their relationship will become a lasting example of two gay best friends rather than a romance. The dice are still in the air so I’m not sure exactly what the writers have in store for these two yet, but I’ll keep you posted.

I like Anole’s quip, and as a “gay guy who moved to San Francisco” it rings true. I just hope they don’t feel the need to have him literally remind us he’s gay all the time.

So far it seems that Anole is the only team member that Graymalkin has confided in thus far. He still needs some therapy - poor boy is talking to himself in front of people.

Although I was happy to see Victor Borkowski (Anole) looking out for his new friend on the battlefield, why would they send Graymalkin? He has has zero training and has been underground for 200 years… Doesn’t he need therapy, some Danger Room sessions and an education covering the past 2 centuries of human advancement before you send him up against an unknown enemy?

Um, yeah. I guess he could use some training. Also what kind of crappy flimsy spandex uniform did they give Graymalkin that plain old claws can cut through it? Its not as if they are Wolvie’s adamantium claws, just a gangbanger mutant wanna be.

It bothers me that they establish a friendship between the 2 gay characters and then show it as a sign of weakness because it distracts Anole during battle. I hope this isn’t a recurring theme.

CBR’s feature, Comics Should Be Good has a detailed and informative (for much info for beginners and longtime fans alike) article that really does a reasonably good job of explaining the overly convoluted history of Marvel’s X-Men.

Not only is it heavily hyper-linked but it’s also quite comprehensive and includes lists of essential Trade paperbacks and even X-Men novels (I’d missed those) Check it out!

via CBR

As Warpath fights for his life and very soul in the American Southwest, Wolverine gets lucky in Japan. Because you demanded it, DOMINO joins X-Force. Vanisher has begrudgingly led the team right to the abandoned labs of recently deceased MISTER SINISTER, but X-Force’s enemies are right on their heels. PLUS: What’s happening to Wolfsbane? Part 3 (of 4)

via CBR

One of the most original concepts out of the House of Ideas in years…

Guest-starring Iron Man! To obtain the final clue she needs to solve her father’s murder, Payback has made an enemy of Tony Stark. Big mistake. Now that she’s finally on the verge of learning the killer’s identity, can she put the pieces of the puzzle together before the Armored Avenger makes good on his vow to take down all the True Believers?

via CBR

Even with their new Super-Skrull forces, the Skrulls are reduced to fighting like cowards. Unable to cope with the X-Men’s guerrilla tactics, the damned dirty Skrulls have taken thousands of San Franciscans hostage and the X-Men have minutes to decide id they can/will be just as ruthless…

via CBR

The hunt for Black Bolt concludes – launching the Inhumans into their new destiny in the Marvel Universe! It’s sister vs. sister, cousin vs. cousin, Kree vs. Skrull! The loyalty lines are redrawn within the royal family as the Inhumans’ mission reaches critical mass! Can Medusa and her tribe get it together to save their once and future King? Or has it all been for nothing? The seeds for the WAR OF KINGS are planted right here!

I was enjoying this, but not all that into the bikini catfight aspect of the story - seems gratuitous. I am interested what kind of fallout will result from this Inhuman alliance with the Kree.

via CBR

Art continues to grow on me. The Runaways are in danger of breaking up as Nico realizes her “Scatter” spell did more than send their enemies away… and they won’t stay away long.

via CBR

Don’t worry - No Future is just the name of this issue - I think the title is actually going pretty strong! I hear nothing but good things about it and count it among my personal favorites.

A new story-arc! A new line-up! And Star-Lord…missing! The shocking revelations made at the end of their Secret Invasion adventure have ripped the team apart! Is there anyone left to continue the task of guarding the galaxy? Who are the new additions to the team? Is this issue going to be packed full of shocks and surprises? This is DnA and Pelletier…so what do you think? A new chapter begins here, so this is your chance to join the title that has IGN.com raving: “It’s witty, it’s fun, and it’s quickly becoming one of my favorite monthly titles from Marvel.”

I completely agree with IGN - this title pretty much rocks!

via CBR

Issue 126 welcomes the new Thunderbolts creative team of writer Andy Diggle (Losers, Green Arrow: Year One) and penciler Roberto De La Torre (IRON MAN: DIRECTOR OF S.H.I.E.L.D.).

The events of Secret Invasion have taken Norman Osborn out of Thunderbolts Mountain…and when the cat is away, the mice will play! Bullseye owes Songbird big time – and now it’s time to settle up! A huge upheaval is coming for the T-Bolts, and the beginning tremors are felt here!

Warren Ellis’ run was certainly a tough act to follow and the Secret Invasion tie ins weren’t much. I’m looking forward to where this title is going post Secret Invasion.

via CBR

I can only hope that the fact that this issue has a new art team (Valentine De Landro and Jonathan Sibal) means that Larry Stroman’s hideous artwork has been exorcised from the pages of X-Factor forever. FINGERS CROSSED!

via CBR

The opening arc on this series far from wowed me. The story was awkward and implausible - not to mention gratuitously killing ANOTHER of the already severely diminished mutant populace of the Marvel U. Also having Dust abandon the good she was doing in her homeland because the weather is lovely in Westchester this time of year was insulting to Sooraya AND the reader.

That said as of the more recent issues I’m starting to get interested. Not only have they added my favorite of the old “New X-Men” - Anole, but they’ve also added another new gay mutant in the recently outed Graymalkin. Go Marvel!

via CBR

Time to see how San Francisco’s new resident mutant superheroe team stands up to a Skrull invasion. Far tougher foes have thought they had the White Queen trapped.

True Believers is definitely the best completely non-Secret Invasion crossover title (no skrulls as of yet) released this year.

While Payback lays in a coma fighting for her life, the deeply dysfunctional secrets of the other True Believers come to light as they attempt to take an insidious bio-weapon off the black market. Along the way they encounter an angry Armadillo and a venal Madame Hydra, who has come to the party with a lethal agenda of her own!

After his bruising encounter with Cyclops and Emma Frost, Professor X is forced to revisit the biggest challenge and the biggest failure of his career: Logan. But the layers of lies hide one last, deadly secret which goes back to the days of the X-Men’s founding, and the Professor’s timing couldn’t possibly be worse…

The crossover between Legacy and Wolverine begins… yet i still don’t care about Daken. Do you?

via CBR

FINALLY!!! a peek under the Hood so to speak…

The Notorious Hood And His Gang Of The Most Powerful Super-Villains Of All Time Need A Leg Up On The Skrulls. But To Get It, The Hood Will Have To Find The True Secret To His Powers. Who Is The Demon Behind The Hood? Find Out In This Very Special Secret Invasion Tie-In.

via CBR

I’ve been a fan of the Runaways gang since I picked up the pocket digest sized trade paperbacks of the original run on the title. I enjoyed volume 2 as well though the Joss Whedon arc could have been a bit more monthly. I was a bit put off by the mangaesque elements of Humberto Ramos’ art (i have an anti-cute alarm). But I’m warming too the style with every issue.

The Runaways are more scattered than ever! Barely surviving an attack by some of the few remaining members of Karolina’s alien race, the Runaways need to pull it together to be ready for the alien warriors when they get back. But it’s looking bleak! Brought to you by comic legend Terry Moore (Strangers in Paradise) and Humberto Ramos (X-MEN, SPIDER-MAN).

via CBR