Above and beyond that, the world of California allows them to exist as they do, and sometimes they wear superhero costumes, sometimes regular people clothes, it just depends on the situation.

What the hell?

Doesn't that just seem like the call for more action figures?

And Storm shows up and there's a whole lot of talking about what to call her and how to address her and she and Emma have a discussion that borders on straight boredom and then nothing happens. They find a dead body. People talk. And the issue ends with a possible plot involving space travel. That's it.

3 dollars for this?

Am I being a little overly critical to say that a book called Astonishing X-Men should do a little bit more than just frustrate the hell out of you? Wolverine does nothing except stab a dead guy and get a tissue sample for Beast who does nothing, Armor whines about her name and Wolverine mocking it, Emma is a stone-cold bitch, Storm comes off as ditzy and idiotic, and Cyclops just acts like a posturing 15 year old boy.

Am I already missing Joss Whedon even though his middling run annoyed the crap out of me?

Simone Bianchi's art is very painterly and feels like it fits in more of an event styled comic or a small run on a book involving werewolves and Wolverine. His art here? Muddy and slightly rushed looking. Some of the characters don't even look the same from page to page. And again, this is supposed to be Astonishing?

I really hope something happens next issue. Or I may drop this book like a bad habit. And Warren Ellis? The whole crazy mad genius thing worked well when you were trying to show off against Alan Moore. But he's stepped away from comics (all but completely) so now it's time for you and Grant Morrison to try something different. Like, I don't know, telling a linear story with a beginning, middle and end that doesn't piss me off beyond belief and doesn't just slap those who've been reading this comic for the last 4 years in the faces.

Because that's what this is. A slap in the face.

And am I the only one who thinks San Francisco is a stupid idea? Wasn't the whole point of the Initiative to throw teams in every state? So the X-teams leave New York for the greener pastures of X-Men The Last Stand where The Order is shacked up, and I'm sure some West Coast Avengers stragglers are still there. So why not have the X-Men hole up in Florida? Miami is nice this time of year.

And it won't end with the Golden Gate bridge exploding. Just some healthy looks into the drug-running habits of Miami. I just don't understand the whole idea to move to San Francisco? Not enough weirdos in LA? What about Seattle? Portland? Sacramento? Las Vegas?

There are hundreds of cities for them to go to, and the whole of the Marvel Universe is going to end up in San Francisco soon enough. Stupid.