X-Men Unlimited continues its usual formula: one story that's not worth the effort of reading, and one story that's good, but not worth buying the book for on its own.

Rex Mundi's Arvid Nelson delivers a completely formulaic Nightcrawler story which contrives to be simultaneously preachy and nonsensical.  Nightcrawler, who is wandering around making no effort to disguise his appearance, saves a blind woman from muggers.  For some reason he decides not to reveal that he's a mutant.  Ah, but it turns out that she's a telepathic mutant, and she gives him a mild rap on the knuckles for trying to pass as normal.  Er, except that he's wandering about in full view looking completely abnormal, so it's not a very good point, now is it?  Dodgy moralising plus irrational plot equals don't waste your time.

Mike Raicht and Carlo Pagulayan do a much better job with "The Boy Who Wasn't There."  It's a nice straightforward little piece about a kid whose mutant powers are causing him to dissolve into the air, and Kitty getting increasingly frustrated as she realises that her attempts to train him to control his powers are utterly futile.  Simple concept, nicely done, good art from the underrated Pagulayan.  Your life isn't going to be incomplete without reading it, or anything like that, but it's a pleasant little story.

I can't really recommend buying the book for one story, though.  Shame, because the second story is perfectly good.

Rating: B-

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