[Dr Kain]

I have finally finished reading the omnibuses to both Uncanny X-Men V4 and New Mutants V1

Things got weird with some of the stories halfway through both books as if the teams weren't giving them their all, especially New Mutants. The art got weird, which worked for the Demon Bear trio, as it gave the story a horror feel to it and it was a really solid story overall. However, this new style made it hard to see what was happening, especially during the last two arcs revolving around a gladiator arena and Shadow King, as they were overly complicated and convoluted. The Secret Wars II excerpt in the middle didn't help matters either becuase I had no idea what is happening in SWII. On the other hand, I did like the development between Magneto and Lee, as she got a bum deal when Cyclops ditched her for Madelynne. Warlock was an interesting character, though, his abilities are inconsistent. It seems he gets weaker when the plot needs him to be weaker. I am trying to figure out when Doug joined the team beause he was brain washed by White Queen at her school, he wasn't with the New Mutants when they escaped, but like two issues later he is apart of the team. He didn't even know he had mutant abilities the last time I saw him.

As for X-Men, stories seem to lose their luster after Secret Wars, though the 6 parter with Kitty in Japan and taking up the name Shadow Cat was interesting. I had no idea that was actually why she started calling herself by the Shadow Cat moniker. The battle with the Helions that introduced Firestar and Warpath was a good read even though they knocked Banshee out like a bitch. Was this Firestar's first appearance ever? I had no idea she was an X-Men character as I only knew her from that Spider-Man cartoon and New Warriors. Storm leaving is sad since she is my favorite mutant, but her departure makes sense. I'm not really feeling Rachel right now though. Something about her characterization right now bothers me and I'm not sure how to describe it.

Overall, I am still glad I have finally gotten to read through both books even if the stories weren't the best of the best here. I can't wait to tackle the next volumes, but first, a short break to read the second volume to the original TMNT comics.