Trying to bring him to the brink. Show him what he's done to those around him. Who has gotten killed because of his dream. And the reason for that: so that Xavier can lead the Acolytes. Huh?

It all makes sense in this issue. Exodus has always had a wonky sense of self-worth, so he tries to kill Xavier and Magneto and the Acolytes who stand up for Xavier to show Xavier who all has died for his dream to ask him to be their leader. To lead them from the dark path to something more righteous, a new beginning for everybody including amnesiac Xavier.

And it makes sense for Exodus. And that is why Carey is the best (this week). He knows these characters like they were his kids. Xavier is all over the place mentally, but he is strong, and will not back down. And Exodus is a behemoth of power and strength and will take anyone down to get what he wants. This is a really good book, and a great continuation of the whole story. And yes, the X-men do find out Xavier is still alive, but will they act? Wait til next ish to find out.

Something else that I feel works well in this comic is the art tag-team. Scot Eaton is a very very strong artist. And his partner in crime this issue is Greg Land. Who can be a really good artist sometimes. This issue he does particularly well. He is drawing dream sequences. He is drawing inside someone's heads and is drawing characters as they would be felt to Xavier, so them looking a little modeled is okay as its in his head.

But back to Scot Eaton: I like him a lot. A lot. He is a very strong, workhorse like artist. He seems to hit a deadline, and his art can be seen all over the place. He has a similar style to Tom Derenick and a tinge of JRJR, but even more, he's his own artist. He makes each character visually different, and that is a very good thing in the comic world nowadays.

So here we are, another month gone past the Messiah CompleX and Divided they still stand. And the X-Men universe is stronger for having broken them up. Oh, you wanted more?

Rogue shows up in the end. We get to see the Hellfire Club! (hooray for Sebastian Shaw, who is probably still pissed about getting cut from the end of Return of the Jedi for that pissant Hayden Christensen) and we get to see what potential hothouse they've been cooking up, CRONUS! A new mutant? A new virus? A new black smoke monster?

Is Sebastian Shaw Benjamin Linus? One more month to find out.