Claremont lives up to his usual standard of story-telling and this one is another in a long line of goor solid stories by him. A little action, a little intrigue, a little romance, and several different takes on various 'isms', ageism, sexism, racism - all of the issues that X-men has always explored. But for this reader it is really Davis' pencils along with a talented team of artists that makes the book. The art is superb and it almost outshines the story at points. Well done! 'Nuff said. ( )

I wanted to enjoy this volume more than I did. After all, Chris Claremont and Alan Davis together, the Fury is back, four-fifths of Excalibur are present (where is Shadowcat?). For me, that is a dream come true. However, Captain Britain and Meggan are only briefly present, and the four issues drawn by Davis are mostly a battle scene between the Fury and some of the X-Men. It lacked the inventiveness and humor of the Claremont-Davis Excalibur run. This volume ends up with two issues drawn by Oliver Coipel about Viper seeking vengeance on the X-Men. Again, it lacked the fun spirit I was hoping for in Claremont's work. Pluses: Jamie Braddock is popping up here and there, and I am a sucker for anything Captain Britain- or Excalibur-related. ( )