X-Men Forever 2 #3

Picking up from previous issues, Spider-Man has run into Rogue, who is suffering from a severe case of cabin fever, and the two proceed to run about New York fighting crime and are both having a rather good time doing it.

Back in the Mansion though, it has come to Nick Fury's attention that Rogue has left and that has created a potential threat as there are Sentinels out patrolling the immediate area and unknown to either Rogue or The X-Men, are also now patrolling the streets of NYC.

Kitty, Jean and Kurt opt to leave the Mansion to find Rogue and bring her back but are attacked by the new Neo-Sentinels and are saved by Mystique and Jean channeling the Phoenix Force which leaves some people rather "scared".

Sadly, I have to say my description of this comic does not do it any sort of justice. Claremont was firing on all cylinders on this issue.

Balancing out the action, the dialogue, future plot set ups, and minor resolutions was just so dead on that I have to say that this has been one of the best comics I have read in years.

It really shouldn't have worked but scene with Rogue and Spider-Man sitting on a rooftop eating bagels actually felt natural and at all forced. And it was a great scene and I almost wish it played out with getting interrupted.

One thing that got me when I first saw it, were the new costumes for the "Ex-SHIELD" agents who stayed behind at the Mansion. I didn't know who they were til I read the word balloons. I like the costumes, its a great way to distinguish the "Norms" from the Mutants.

Grummett was rocking some awesome art in this. I think he has finally found his groove in this series, damn near everyone looks great. My only real beefs were Daisy Dugan, she looked a little too young and too girly for a SHIELD Agent and Kitty's claw. Depending on the angle and artist, it grows in girth and length.

If Claremont can keep up this caliber of writing from here on out and the artists keep delivering like they have and I think they will. Rodney Buchemi is coming back and Ron Lim (Cannot wait for his issues!)will also being drawing some issues.

Best issue to date, I think it could possibly convert over some of the haters of the previous volume.