Synopsis: In frozen Northern Canada a group of very grotesque looking Mutant bandits threaten a robed figure. When the robed figure refuses to back down one of the bandits (who looks like a three-headed dog) proceeds to eat the stranger and gloat only to have his fun cut short by the appearance of a familiar set of three claws that slash him up from inside. The robed stranger makes short work of the goons and proceeds on its journey.
In Washington DC, President Kelly is holding a press conference in support of pro-mutant relations and defending his policy of accepting help from mutants to rebuild America. When a reporter raises a question about rogue mutants avoiding punishment the acting Director for mutant affairs Magneto appears, and in an attempt to quell their fears shows satellite footage of an X-Men raid. Gambit, Storm, Sunfire, Nightcrawler and new recruit Wolfsbane proceed to neutralize a house full of Hellions to the applause of the press. One of the reporters is still unconvinced but Magneto hints at having better resources at hand than those displayed.
Meanwhile back in Canada the hooded stranger has found its intended target - a log cabin and its only occupant - Weapon X.
Magneto returns home to his wife and son. After a private moment with his family he meets the rest of his X-Men in the dinning room where we are introduced to two more new members: Silver Samurai and a female Xorn. Magneto congratulates Pietro on a successful raid in Massachusetts while Silver Samurai’s views on whether the captured mutant’s war crimes are forgivable nearly spark an argument that Magneto has to defuse. Magneto assures his X-Men that under the Bishop Treaty all mutants will have a fair trial and assures Wolfsbane that measures are in place to track down the still-loose Mr. Sinister.
Meanwhile the hooded stranger tries to convince Wolverine to return to Magneto and the X-Men but Wolverine declines and kicks the stranger out. The Stranger isn’t willing to leave without Wolverine and Wolverine attacks again with his claws this time but the stranger unsheathes her own claws as her hood falls open to reveal a dark haired girl who calls Wolverine “dad.”
Review: Pretty smooth set up issue. Sets a number of starting points for the series. We get to see the AOA version of X-23 who it appears is going to be pretty central to this series. The switch in position of the X-Men in this post Apocalypse era from resistance fighters to government hounds is established as well. We get introduced to some New AOA X-Men and Silver Samurai seems to be setting himself up as some sort of antagonist. Bachalo’s art seems a little to stylistic at times but it’s pretty solid throughout. I can’t say it’s a style I like, though. All in all a good start to the book.