Finally, X-Men: Phoenix - Endsong.

After two and a half very strong issues, Endsong really puts its goodwill to the test this issue.  Taking Wolverine along as bait, Phoenix flies up to the snowbound north.  And after Wolverine has weakened the Phoenix a bit, guess what Jean does?  That's right, she dives into the icy lake and gets frozen over, while the firebird emerges to continue the plot.

Hmm.  I have the strangest feeling that Marvel is publishing this miniseries just so that Jean can return from the dead properly at a later date, in cross-media synergy with the third movie.  I find myself rolling my eyes at the thought.

But in fairness to Pak, in a miniseries which has always had a thoroughly contrived remit, he's done a remarkable job so far of making the plot appear natural.  He pretty much keeps up that performance here; it's the result that makes the penny drop for me, rather than the route by which he gets there.  It's still a great piece of genre writing, with a firm grasp on the characters and beautiful artwork from Greg Land.

I ought to find it all rather contrived, but despite myself, I don't.  Actually, I wish we had more X-Men comics like this.  If Pak can sell me on this story, he must be doing something right.

Rating: A-

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