Cyclops, meanwhile, resorts to some fairly drastic measures to make his case to the world and try to rally public opinion against the Inhumans. I pointed out in my issue #1 review that it seems silly that ordinary humans are so accepting of Inhumans yet remain as terrified as ever of mutants. This issue suggests that the story will explore that disconnect. Soule and Lemire also position Storm and her team as the neutral party in this tense standoff. Storm has no desire to start a war, but nor can she ignore the fact that her people are dying even as the Inhumans are thriving.
It's a solid setup that's hindered by the fact that this is a prequel comic set months before the current status quo of the Marvel Universe. We know more or less how this particular battle is going to end, leaving only specific questions like "Will Cyclops really die?" left to be answered. Granted, that isn't necessarily an insurmountable hurdle. But it requires the series to offer more twists and a faster-paced, more exciting conflict than these first two issues have delivered. This issue attempts to stir up added drama with the late addition of another player, but as far as cliffhangers go, it's not a particularly shocking one. The final two issues really need to pick up the pace and throw another curve ball or two at readers.
Kuder continues to fit right in with both franchises. His naturalistic, expressive figures really bring both groups to life. Kuder is great about channeling the rapidly escalating tensions and emotional strain in Soule and Lemire's script. Both Jay Leisten's thin, confident line-work and Morry Hollowell's vivid colors complement Kuder's art nicely. Unfortunately, later pages see Leisten replaced by Cam Smith and Scott Hanna and Hollowell by Jay David Ramos. The shift is noticeable (particularly in terms of the inking), and the last few pages take on a rushed, haphazard quality. It's disappointing to see that sort of inconsistency creep into the book so soon, and it bodes poorly for the latter half of the series in November.
