Uncanny X-Men #521 - Marvel

Magneto has gone to the top of Mt Tamalpais in San Francisco. He appears to be meditating, and . . reaching out. But we don't know, yet, what for. However, Scott and Emma go up to see what's going on. However, they find him in pretty much a catatonic state. He's focusing so much energy on his task that he's essentially shut off everything else. His body has kind of gone into auto-defense mode. Emma can't even get a psychic reading off of him. Anyways, while this is going on, Wolverine and company have gone to New York City to confront the group that sent the Predators out to Utopia after them. But it's a pretty one sided fight. As we learned, the Predators were actually a delivery system for a swarm of nano-bots. Basically they were there to gather information. They recorded everything about the X-Men . . thier genomes, how their powers work, and how they fight. So they can counter their every attack. That is until Fantomex shows up. He's the X-factor here. Without their computer feeds on their attacker . . they don't know how to fight him. So he makes pretty short work of them. And then . . then EVA, his pet alien/tech takes out their computer systems. Leaving them completely blank. It isn't long before the X-Men mop them up. They do learn a few things though. First of all this has all been put together by John Sublime. He's the sentient bacterium that's assimilated himself into this John Sublime identity because he's looking for a way to exterminate mutants . . the only real threat to his plans for world domination. It always comes down to that . . doesn't it? Secondly . . in an act of desperation, the guy leading this group lets out a deadly plague . . 'HX-N1, the mutant plague. Mutagenic biological warfare, tailor-made to affect at least 134 known mutants with a power-dampening influenza super-strain.' Fantomex uses EVA to protect the X-Men. And when the group finds out that the bacteria won't affect Fantomex, they take their leave. Luckily, EVA retains an active sample so they can take it back to Utopia and have the X-Club hack in to it. Also while this is going on, the X-Club has sent a couple scientists down to help the Atlanteans build that pillar that will be holding up the island. I'm not sure why this is important, but there appears to be a confrontation with Namor coming up. Anyways, back to Magneto. After figuring out the trajectories of his powers, the X-Club have come to the conclusion that Magneto is attempting to grab on to the rocket that Kitty Pryde is trapped in. Apparently he senses that there's something missing in the X-Men, and Kitty will help fill that void. The problem is . . remember . . that rocket that Kitty is trapped in is actually a planet-killing starship. So if Magneto brings it back, he's also putting the rest of the world in danger. I thought this was a great issue. Matt Fraction is doing a fantastic job here. I dare say I'd put his talent right up there with Grant, Warren and Joss. Yes I think he's that good. And if he's not right now . . he's well on his way to being there. Once again Greg Land does the art this issue, and once again it's incredible. It's hard to believe that a book can remain this strong for this long. But it has . . and I love it.