Era #11, Part 01: Day of the Atom (X-Men)

Grade: C

Chuck Austen started his run on this title (returned to X-Men from New X-Men) at the end of the last era after Grant Morrison's monumental new direction. It is a hard act to follow, 

Chuck starts by forming a new team under Havok's leadership (Polaris, Iceman, Wolverine, Rogue, Gambit, and Juggernaut). Their first mission takes them to China where they investigate a town destroyed by a powerful mutant signature. The X-Men must deal with China's protectors, the Eight Immortals, and a mutant with the powers and appearance of ... Xorn? Meanwhile, Squid Boy gives new student Josh Guthrie (brother of Cannonball and Hust) a tour of the school.

It is a typical adventure with too many characters that aren't managed particularly effectively. The biggest question is why did Chuck feel like he had to bring Xorn back? We learned that the helmeted Chinese mutant was really Magneto in disguise, so how is this possible? It is never really explained.

I enjoyed seeing Collective Man again. I love Marvel's international characters since first reading about them in the 1982 Contest of Champions limited series. It was the first time I heard about China's mutant hero, so it was a nice addition for me.

[5-Stars] X-Men (1991) #157

[5-Stars] X-Men (1991) #158

[5-Stars] X-Men (1991) #159

[5-Stars] X-Men (1991) #160

Collected in X-Men: Day of the Atom