X-Men #11
Magneto goes ham on the Cotati in X-Men #11, by writer Jonathan Hickman, artist Leinil Yu, colorist Sunny Gho, and letterer Clayton Cowles. This one is another Empyre crossover, just like the last issue, and it does the same thing the last issue did- presents a great X-Men story that doesn't one can read without knowing anything about Empyre.
At Arrako Point, Summoner invites Rockslide, Anole, and Loa to play a game with him just as three Cotati ships come down towards Krakoa. It then cuts to the next day, with Exodus telling a group of mutant children about Magneto and his defense of Krakoa against the alien interlopers. He has Magma start a volcanic eruption, has Iceman cool the molten iron, and uses it to destroy the Cotati invaders, before going to the moon to help Cyclops and company finish them off.
Jonathan Hickman writes the perfect crossover issue again, doing exactly what he did with the last issue- using the trappings of Marvel's latest event to tell a story that is only tangentially connected to it. This could honestly just be an issue of X-Men if Empyre wasn't happening, with the Cotati, living flora, invading Krakoa for some reason other than whatever is going on in Empyre. Hickman doesn't let the big event interfere too much with what he's doing at all in this book, and it's wonderful.
The highlight of the issue is, of course, Magneto. Hickman really captures the presence of the man, the sense of majesty and power, as he takes charge of the situation and effortlessly lays waste to every enemy in his path. For most of the last year, Magneto has just been there, getting some good lines. Still, this issue reminds readers of something they should never forget- Magneto is one of the most powerful men on Earth, and the fact that his enemies still exist at all is surprising in the extreme. Hickman portrays him as a force of nature and even has him wear the old purple and red costume, fitting for an issue in which he cuts loose in a way he hasn't done in a long time.
Leinil Yu has always been a great artist, but this most recent X-Men run is some of his career's best work, and this issue is no exception. Hickman's script could only do so much if the art wasn't on point, and Yu makes sure that it is completely on point. Other artists may have been able to pull off this issue, but few could capture Magneto's unrestrained power and the chilly calm with which he dispatches his foes as Yu does.
X-Men #11 gives readers a sight they haven't seen in a long time- Magneto cutting through his foes like a hot knife through butter, and it's glorious. Hickman and Yu work together perfectly to give readers a treat they haven't had since Magneto joined the X-Men way back in the Utopia days and capture the force of nature that is Magneto. X-Men #11 is as close to perfect as one can get.
Grade: A+
