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A rather good X-Men story (not as good as the work in Kelly's X-MEN, nor is it as good as Seagle's own UXM #350 or #360), but one that is undermind by a few minor faults and a few critical ones, too. 

Storm and Shadowcat look into the abduction of the Juggernaut's mystical powers in Seoul, South Korea, and Gambit shows up to "help," too.  Plus, Marrow headlines the action back at the Mansion. 

I really enjoyed seeing Storm and Shadowcat paired up on a mission, and I also enjoyed the return of Gambit (though I hadn't missed him all that much).  Seagle nailed his character, as well as the banter between Kitty and Ororo and between Ororo and Gambit, too.  The first meeting between Kitty and Gambit was also rather interesting. 

I also enjoyed the scenes back at the Mansion, as the interaction between Marrow, Colossus and Nightcrawler was quite interesting.  It's nice to see the artistic, senstive Colossus back, rather than the out-of-whack one that Lobdell and Nicieza wrote.  However, Marrow seemed *too* senstive.  I can't see her revealing that much of herself to anyone, let alone people she hardly knows. 

On the downside, however, were the characters of Juggernaut and Black Tom.  For one, Black Tom should be a near-dead wood creature, as per his last appearance in GEN X #25.  So why does he look like a normal guy now ?  Beats me.  Methinks that "Steve" Powers needs to follow X-continuity a bit better.  And why was the Juggernaut rampaging around when his powers were fading?  Even he shouldn't be that stupid.  Also, why was Juggernaut referred to as a "mutant," when he isn't, and never has been one ?  It's either poor writing or poor editing.  Finally, what ever happened to the plotline involving Juggernaut suing the X-Men for possession of Xavier's Mansion ?! 

Artistically, Steve Skroce's pencils are solid, but not quite as good as his stuff on YOUNGBLOOD was.  I suspect that the paper quality and the lack of Lary Stucker as an inker has something to do with this.  In fact, the art was good, but it seemed both too cluttered and inconsistent throughout.  It starts off rather good, but tails off towards the end, which I suspect is the doing of multiple inkers.  However, his rendition of Gambit is quite good, which is good, since he's going to be drawing him on a monthly basis in the GAMBIT ongoing series. 

This is an otherwise good issue, but the continuity blunders keep it from being a very good issue. 
  

Score:  B-    
  

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