Era #10, Part 04: Destiny, Part 2 (X-Treme X-Men)

Grade: B-

This second part of the Destiny collection gets into more familiar territory while still introducing new characters. The X-Treme X-Men team's quest to find the other volumes of Destiny's prophetic diaries are put on hold when the top Australian crimelord is killed. The lead suspect is none other than Gambit.

There are some elements that don't make much sense. For example, the team rushing off to save the crimelords children who know nothing about their father or his business, yet they are in danger because they could take over his business? There are several characters that just seem unoriginal and so uninteresting that it is obvious we will never see them outside this title (Lifeguard and Red Lotus).

One issue was part of the "Nuff Said" event. It was a month in which every issue sold contained zero dialogue, thought bubbles, or narration blocks. For me, these stories were very difficult to follow. I had to interpret pictures, and I was wrong more often than not. 

All in all, however, it was still a good read that included a decent mystery with a classic X-Men villain.  I enjoyed seeing Bishop assume the role of detective, and I am glad Chris Claremont answered the open question about the impact of Sage's sudden departure from Sebastian Shaw and the Hellfire Club. I also liked Lady Mastermind's first appearance. She is more ruthless and less of a sniveling sycophant than her father (but just as much a follower). 

It isn't Chris Claremont's best work, but in my eyes, it redeems his X-Men: Revolution. Salvador Larroca's beautiful art always helps.

[5-Stars] X-Treme X-Men (2001) #5

[6-Stars] X-Treme X-Men (2001) #6

[6-Stars] X-Treme X-Men (2001) #7

[5-Stars] X-Treme X-Men (2001) #8 (Nuff Said)

[6-Stars] X-Treme X-Men (2001) #9

Collected in X-Treme X-Men (Vol 1): Destiny