This was a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it provides new context to Hope’s origins, which is a nice finale to her character arc over the past few months. It’s clear Gillen aimed to give her the closure she deserves & her fans will likely appreciate this effort.

However, the issue falls short in its larger ties to Krakoa’s finale & the portrayal of Enigma. After being built up as an omnipotent villain, Enigma is easily outmatched in his first confrontation, which felt anticlimactic & disappointing. This lackluster showdown undermined the tension.

The reunion between Destiny & Mystique also fell flat for me. After coming out guns blazing last issue, Mystique is ready to forgive Destiny after one apology in the span of 3 panels? C’mon.

There’s one panel when we see what’s become of the mutants left in the White Hot Room that felt like a perfect encapsulation of my feelings on the Fall of X storytelling. LOTS of words on the page w/ little meaning. I had to laugh & wonder if this was Gillen clapping back at readers.

Maresca’s artwork continues to be a highlight, w/ gorgeous visuals of the Phoenix & dynamic action sequences. His designs help bringing the story to life & are aided by Blee’s vibrant colors.

Rating: 7/10

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