Writers Eve L. Ewing & Evan Narcisse

Penciler Ruairi Coleman

Inkers Ruairi Coleman & Victor Olazaba

Colorist Brian Reber

Letterer VC’s Joe Sabino

Variant Cover Annie Wu, I took a chance on the Muppets variant cover, and was treated to Emma Frost and Miss Piggy, so that was the right choice.

Shadow Play, Part 3

Our Monthly dose of Kitty Pryde, let’s see how much of her we get!

I do like how this is the title that gives us all of the mutants.

I like how Kitty is the one to approach Wither.  Psylocke confirms Wither’s psi-imprint is darker now. 

Logan, on the other hand, is being a real jerk, and being rude to Blade.

Blade is fully aware that only his mind is here, but is willing to make Logan bleed.  Logan is still holding onto Blood Hunt resentment.  Logan clearly doesn’t share my philosophy that we can’t hold characters responsible for their actions during a crossover. 

We see Kitty’s blue glove as Emma calms everybody down.  She wants some answers.

Wither is involved in something that Blade attempted to help out with.

I like how Wither has turned to scriptures to express himself in Atlanta. 

Wither was attacked by vampires, and turned, so not only does he have a death touch, he also can turn people into vampires, so he can do some touching?

He was about to turn someone when Bloodline, Blade’s daughter, shows up to stop him. 

She suspects Wither is the one who killed all of these people, and he tries to explain it, but she just wants to end him, so he puts her into the ground.  I’m not sure why her blade didn’t kill Wither, or at least punctured him. 

Wither does explain the situation.  His vampire powers are messing with his mutant powers, so he has to wait for people to die, then suck the blood as his powers would destroy their organic matter.  Which does line up with how I understand his powers, so good job Ewing and Narcisse for taking the time, and explaining this. 

Bloodline offers a temporary, and very uneasy, partnership.  They can’t hurt each other, so she invites him over to her mom’s house.  He’s lucky her father wasn’t here for this nonsense.

Bloodline and Wither attack the vampires, and Blade shows up, and he kills the vampires.  Their boss is a mutant vampire, which I like Jubilee quickly saying, it happens.  That’s funny.

Blade further explains that the mutant isn’t a real vampire, but a copycat.  She comes around vampires, temporarily gets the bite powers, uses it to make more vampires, who are loyal to her. 

Prodigy tries to explain to Wither that now isn’t a great time, as they are dealing with their own shadowy darkness.

I like Kitty and Psylocke hanging out, as Blade explains he doesn’t need the X-Men, he’s just here as Wither asked him to attempt this exchange. 

We get Dani Moonstar!!! In an awesome splash page reveal.  She’s willing to help Blade.  Prodigy will join the team, and since they’re in England, Dani believes they can get Chamber to help. 

Blade misses no time in making sure everyone knows he is in charge.

Iceman is going to check on Magik and Nightcrawler’s class, as he’s being very fussy.  Kitty isn’t sure if now is the best time for that.

I love so much whenever Magik and Nightcrawler hang out, and them teaching together is such a treat!

Magik is so much more than a goth raver with a giant sword!  She also has a lot more infernal aura than Kurt.

I love Mal and Gabby, I mean Scout, chatting about Shadow King.  Mal wants to know, and Scout offers up a quick sheet about him.  He’s evil, a telepath, lies, and makes you doubt yourself and others.  Yep, that’s the Shadow King.  Plus, a nice reference to Krakoa as Gabby did have to deal with him over in New Mutants V4.

The issue ends with Bloodline, and her captures, Justina – who is wearing a very cute red bow in her hair, and the vampire who created Blade. 

This was a solid issue!  No Marigold, but that’s okay.