Alt 928, Part 4: X-Men 2099 #10-13

Grade: C

The X-Men 2099 fall apart in this run. Xi'an formed the team, but thanks to his recent battle with Master Zhao, his personality reverts to his former, self when he was the leader of the outlaw gang called the Lawless. The rest of the X-Men find themselves in a holding pattern waiting.

The series is loosing its steam with run-of-the-mill stories. We get a glimpse into Xi'an's former life and there is some tension when Junkpile returns, but the team dynamics that mark X-Men books (even in the first nine issues of this title) has evaporated.

[3-Stars] 10 - "Roadwork" Xi'an has been changed by his encounter with Master Zhao. While the rest of the X-Men have reverted to their normal selves after their recent battle with Master Zhao and the Chosen, Xi'an has reverted to his outlaw personality. He is leaving the X-Men to find the Driver. Fitzgerald decides he better go with him, and the two run into La Lunatica while at a roadhouse. The rest of the team try to save the Master Zhao and the Chosen from further deterioration. Blookhawk departs for the Savage Land (that story continues in Doom 2099).

[3-Stars] 11 - "Crossed Signals" Fitzgerald agrees to help La Lunática run from the Theatre of Pain, and he convinces Xi'an to allow her to join them on their quest to find the Driver. The X-Men continue to deal with Xi'an's departure. Victor Ten Eagles leaves in disgust that Shakti is helping the Chosen after their massacre of innocent people issues earlier. Frostbite also leaves knowing that her time is up since her power will not allow her to be cryogentical saved until a cure is found. She runs into the Driver.

[3-Stars] 12 - "Hit and Run" La Lunática reveals to Fitzgerald that she has also asked Junkpile for help in running the Theatre of Pain. Fitzgerald is still understandably angry that Junkpile killed Serpentina (X-Men 2099 #4). Xi'an talks to a person from his past as an outlaw, but Broken Haiku has information that will lead Xi'an to the Driver. She gives him the location but also informs the Driver that he is about to have company. Metalhead (now with Freakshow) gets closer to Rosa.

[3-Stars] 13 - "Dead End" Xi'an, Fitzgerald, Junkpile and La Lunática find the Driver, but thanks to Broken Haiku, he is prepared for them. Brimstone Love also arrives. He has been tracking La Lunática, but he soon finds someone better and more willing to take her place in the Theatre of Pain.