Astonishing X-Men #23 - Marvel

First of all I just want to say that I hate the fact, as I'm sure do a lot of readers, that next issue will be the last for Joss Whedon and John Cassaday. They created this book, and brought it to life. By doing so they've invigorated our senses over the last 4 years. They've also spoiled us. They've shown us what a brilliant book can be attained when the perfect union or writer and artist is created. I know that they'll both go on to other projects. They're both fantastically talented. But . . . this chemistry will probably never happen again. And that's sad. We're almost at the end of our current storyline. And even though Colossus is responsible, according to legend, for the destruction of this planet, we've been eluded to the fact that it may not be as cut and dry as we were lead to believe. Yes Colossus is an integral part, but he may not be the primary catalyst that we thought he was going to be. And Scott, by the end of this issue, is proving why he's the obvious leader of this group. And yes, that means he didn't die at the end of last issue. Did you really think he would? So next issue, everything comes to a head. The thing that makes this book so magical, is Joss' handling of the characters. The interaction and dialogue between them is fantastic. Sometimes in comics, the dialogue especially seems "canned" or forced. But Joss has a way of making it feel natural and real. Then, you add to this the beautiful pencils of John Cassaday, and you truly have a work of art. John, with this book, has taken a kind of cinematic style to his framing sequences. While reading this series, you can really see the story unfolding on the big screen. He already was incredibly talented with his frame flow. But then to add this cinematic element to it, plus his "tell-all" expressions that he displays on all of his characters faces, and we truly have a masterpiece here. I really can't applaud it enough. And, we still have next issue to look forward to. It's going to be sad to see them go. But, I truly think that, this will be one of those stories and series that will stand the test of time. There's going to be numerous presentations of these pieces coming out. And I still think, if there's another X-men movie, that they'd be silly not to have Joss write it.