Writer Brian Michael Bendis
Pencils Chris Bachalo
Inks Tim Townsend, Mark Irwin, Jaime Mendoza, Victor Olazaba & Al Vey
Colors Chris Bachalo & Antonio Fabela
Cover by Kris Anka, though he isn’t credited anywhere besides his own signature on the cover. I like how it is a similar concept to issue 15 of this volume. It also features all of the X-Ladies of the title, which Kitty is the only one who is missing from this one. Luckily, not from this issue.
Newberry, South Carolina. Maria Hill wants the soldiers to confirm what they just said.
Devil’s Tower. The soldiers are confirming three dead. Poor Magik’s head garb . . . thingies are still on her head. I hope someone picks up the Eye of Agamotto as Doctor Strange is going to want that back.
Maria Hill wants a triple confirmation, she isn’t sure if she is about to be made a hero or mutant kind’s worst enemy.
Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters. Years Ago. Xavier doesn’t seem to be embarrassed that he is both wearing a green bathroom by the pool and that his Original Five X-Men, are not to be found. Tempus tries to walk a very thin line of not wanting to review too much. She is there to get Xavier to change his approach to Matthew Malloy. Xavier hasn’t really read her mind, only got her name and that he shouldn’t pry too much.
Jean Grey School. Today. The X-Men don’t know about poor Scott and Illyana being dead – yet. Beast explains what they all already to know, that Scott wants to recruit Matty M.
Storm is about to talk, and Kitty wants to know what she was about to say when Beast gets a phone call.
Look how cute Doop is at that desk, just trying to follow along with the silliness.
It isn’t a phone call but his portable Cerebro going off. The world has lost two very strong and long lasting energy signatures – Cyclops and Magik.
The Black Vortex double page ad is shown again. It isn’t until I’ve seen it again that I noticed that Howard the Duck may appear in Guardians of the Galaxy 24. With how ladies are all draped over Quill, I imagine this is only a fun concept cover.
Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters. Years Ago. Xavier resists reading Tempus’ mind, as he is super worried about his legacy being upended. She really wants him to rethink his approach to Malloy. Xavier figures out that he isn’t alive in the future.
Devil’s Tower. Now. One guy wants to bag and tag the skeletons but another instructs that Maria Hill wants nothing to be touched. The first guy, I wish they had names, thinks that there really is no difference between her and Nick Fury. The second guy has the sad duty of explaining that everything that they say is recorded and heard – while they are wearing their armors.
Malloy rebuilds himself, which freaks out the SHIELD soldiers. They open fire and he rebuilds himself again.
Matty M is tired of all of these death attempts and erases the SHIELD agents. He tries to bring back Magik and Cyclops, but besides making their skeletons dance for him – they are not brought back to life.
I like Matt realizing how far his life has gone in 24 hours, he is upset that he has limits – he can’t bring back the dead, that isn’t him. He is able to bring his body to full health. He vows to avenge Cyclops.
Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters. Years Ago. I like how Tempus respects and fears Cyclops and Xavier isn’t thrilled that Scott sounds more like Magneto.
I really like the way Bachalo shows him reading Tempus’ mind. The beginning panel shows Xavier’s side of his face on the left and Tempus’ face on the right. It ends with Tempus’ face on the left side of the panel and Xavier’s on the right – which is a great way to show that.
Xavier will not kill Malloy and he is getting angry that Tempus has ruined his future and his confidence. Xavier hints at what many think he will do with the Original X-Men when they come back, that he will simply mind wipe them and act like their months long adventure never happened. Though with Secret Wars 2015 happening, that whole situation isn’t really going to matter.
How great is Tempus calling on Xavier’s one true status quo. Teach one thing and then disregard that when it becomes inconvenient.
Jean Grey School. Today. Emma leaves the school, as her ex-boyfriend is dead. Rachel wants to force her to take a chill pill, so those two are clearly not friends.
Man, I love Kitty thinking of Magik – someone has to think of her. She isn’t an also ran.
Emma shouts, AAGGH! and everyone is forced to repeat it as her mental powers are great. Why is Quentin Quire shirtless with Glob and Doop? In what way can Thanos be right? That Death is one special type of lady?
The X-Men are trying to get themselves back on their feet.
Matty M is naked in front of Emma, no easy feat to do. Bachalo doesn’t do Matty M any favors with how little and thin those lightning bolts are.
I like Bendis handling that Emma doesn’t know who this guy is. I doubt Storm has got to describing him to the team.
I don’t get why him being there when Scott died justifies punching him in the face. At least she wasn’t diamond form up. He responds by breaking her neck, which is super harsh!
No one is happy with Matthew Malloy, who tries to explain that he can’t undo what he just did.
The New Xavier School. Today. Goldballs wants to know if anyone has seen Tempus. Hijack wants to know what is going on, none of the grown ups are around to explain anything. I like Bendis trying to remind us that the All New X-Men in the Ultimate Universe adventure is happening at the same time. Apparently, Cyclops only owns the one plane.
The Cuckoos lose their respected minds, as they sense Emma’s death. Good on the Marketing Department not putting one of those “One of These Mutants Dies This Issue” caption on the cover. Nice restraint!
Issue ends with Tempus bringing Xavier to the present and he gives us “To Me, My X-Men” which seems silly but I guess from his perspective, he sees youngsters wearing similar outfits and assumes they are the X-Men.
Shadow and Flame with Magik 