Just as Marvel is ending NEW MUTANTS, the book is finally coming together. In this issue, the New Mutants rescue a young mutant addicted to the drugs that keep her powers in check. Meantime, the witchy Emma Frost seems to be plotting (sort of) to rebuild her old Hellions team. And a New Mutant is jocking an old New Mutant, yet another subplot in the brewing soap opera stew.

But it's a good soap; writers DeFilippis and Weir are hitting their stride by building a good storyline as they get more time to play with the characters. Carlo Barberi also seems to be settling in as the artist. He's a decent storyteller, but his drawing skills, which need improvement, aren't helped by his clumsy impersonation of Humberto Ramos. Still, I liked the entire package, and this is the most fun I've had reading this title since the first issue.

[DRECK, DULL, READABLE, PRETTY GOOD, EXCELLENT]

LJ DOURESSEAU