Astonishing was totally retro, and I think that the reboot needs to be. So we don't get disconnected from the franchise just because they're changing everything. Also, Joss probably hasn't read X since '84 either. Okay, maybe I made up the last bit. But if he likes the old Kitty a lot, the first half of the comic isn't at all surprising.

As for the final reveal -- yeah, I was astonished. I think it's pretty ballsy to bring up something with such a potential far-reaching effect so early on in a new title with a new writer. That has to span titles.

Secret War is so pretty.

Astonishing is mostly set-up for the first story arc. Nothing truly major happens...

spoilers ahoy!

Kitty is reintroduced, the new five person core team of Astonishing is established (Kitty, Emma, Cyclops, Beast and Wolverine), the current status quo of the Xverse is established (school is publically known, filled with students) Scott introduces core concept of the comic, that the X-men need to act as superheroes in order to have public acclaim and acceptance and the impetus of the first storyline begins, a doctor claims that mutants are a genetic disease that can be cured while a superpowered terrorist holds people hostage in building, with the possible connection between the two being a little girl.

Joss has read a little X-Men the past 2 yrs or so I think, I think in an interview I read that's what he said - that he'd been reading some Grant Morrison? so since 2001ish, according to my sources.

The final reveal was astonishing, you're right. I've been so caught up in my LJ icon-making of earlier stuff in the book from my scans that I - um- forgot. That's why I'm gonna go back and read that comic overandoverandover again.

I love old Kitty and she's the only Kitty I know, though I've seen a little about a newer more grown-upper Kitty. I lovers her this way, though, for the overidentification.

Also? [ Emma Frost ] ?

So. HOT.

Can you explain this "reboot" thing to me? Are they using some sort of Crisis/Zero-Hour reset button?

But CaBil, if she has a cure for mutancy, how can that not be major?

Sure, it's all setup, but that pokes at the structure of Marvel's cash cow. Not that I think it will play out worst case for the universe, but I hope I'm not being naïve in thinking it'll have ramifications, even if only within the franchise.

That artist drew what looked to be every. strand. of. hair. on Scott and Logan's faces.

And I just adore the reveal (the first one) in Ultimate. I had to cheer.

Pete just called me to let me know he stopped by the comic store. No, he did not pick up any Batverse stuff (because Plei has not yet gotten us *that* addicted), but DID pick up the latest Transmetropolitan TPB, and the latest issue of Dork Tower, Clanbook Mopey! (Which is going to make me want to find & re-read my copy of Clanbook Perky, but that's okay.)

Are they using some sort of Crisis/Zero-Hour reset button?

No. But they just had a major event in the universe -- Magneto's dead (or in Genosha working with Charles in Excalibur -- same diff) but not before destroying the X Mansion and killing lots of humans and they're restructuring every team in response to the trauma.

Because an announcement is not a major event in story terms. What happens as a result of the announcement, as our characters, both protangists and antagonists respond to it, that is major and propells the storyline, IMHO.

No one had a chance to respond, so if you picked up just the next issue, as the characters begin to respond, the story will still be able followed without any problems

Semantically I disagree with you.

Isn't the magic of a last-page reveal that the response happens next month? And that, relatively speaking, standing up and saying "I had sushi for lunch," is considerablly less major than what happened?

Making it impossible to follow the story next week would just be crappy writing, and I'd hate for that to happen this early.

I couldn't remember what tpb I got yesterday because I looked at several but it was The Outsiders.

I've been laughing my ass off. They are snarky and fun and they are fighting giant gorillas.

However today I did not buy comics. I think I'll hold off and do the rest of my comic book shopping on Saturday. And now I need to go check ebay.