Synopsis: While the X-Men battle the Acolytes (followers of Magneto who broke away from the Brotherhood to pursue more aggressive tactics) in New Zealand, Professor X wakes up in the Mansion, shaves, showers and dresses before sitting at his desk to write a letter. In his letter, he tries to explain why he is shutting down the school. He is distraught over Iceman's injuries, and over his son's death. He feels that his pacifist agenda has failed. He's glad that his New York lecture was cancelled and that new terror groups are forming in the wake of his subversion of the Brotherhood's ideals. In fact, he is so outraged at his hubris that he plans to remove the mental blocks on Magneto later that day, and allow nature to take its course. He leaves the letter, addressed to Scott, on the mantle.
Later, the X-Men are back. In the men's locker room, Peter and Colossus are showering off from the mission. Peter says that it's good to be back, and Logan is glad to have him back, and flashes him a rare smile.
In the park, Xavier is approached by Erik (aka Magneto), who recognizes him from his magazine covers and so on. Erik is now a teacher of Special Ed, and woders if that may explain why he's always been so interested in Xavier's work. When Erik inquires as to his presence in the park, Xavier tells him that he's closing the school, even though, as Erik notes, there are more mutants who need his help. Xavier feels that he has nothing to offer, and his credibility was irrevocably damaged by his son's actions. Erik informs him that he can't blame himself for David's actions, and in fact, many people were grateful that the X-Men stopped him from hurting more people. Charles then comments on the hypocrisy of his non-violent platform, as it took murder to stop David. Erik asks if Charles is therefore disappointed in Colossus, but instead, Xavier wonders if he was right.
Back at the Mansion, Ororo checks up on Hank, who's converting the VR Danger Room into something more physical. Hank's basically putting Storm off, and she asks him why he's behaving that way. Beast replies that until he's sure that the Prof isn't telepatichally forcing Ororo to be with him, he won't subject her to kissing his mutated face.
In the park, Erik show Charles something important: tickets he bought to Xavier's lecture, which he's keeping in case they reschedule it. Charles is shocked - could the former Magneto have bought them of his own free will? Erik says he did, because he believes in Xavier's ideas. Charles breaks down and cries, hugging his mind-altered old friend in thanks.
Elsewhere, Scott and Jean check in on Bobby, who is still comatose in a hospital bed. Jean is telepathically masking their presence from the armed guards intended to keep them out. Scott asks if she blames the Prof for Bobby, but she doesn't, as they all knew the risks. She just hopes that Scott doesn't run off to the Brotherhood like the last time someone (Beast) got hurt, because she was really lonely the whole time he was gone. Jean feels that no one else gets her in the school the way Scott does. She then asks him to put his arm around her, since she "left her jacket" in the car. Then she tells him to go ahead and kiss her - she's a telepath, and knew he liked her before even he did...
As they kiss, Charles sends out a telepathic message to the X-Men, informing them that classes will resume the next morning.
Review: Once again, I am less than thrilled with the Ultimate spin on the X-Men, though I was very glad to have Adam Kubert back on the book. I'm not sure what it was that bugged me, but that was my first impression. Having said that, though, let's talk about some interesting things going on this time out:
You know, when Jean and Logan hooked up the first time, part of me (the fanboy romantic) was like "No! No!" but another part of me was like "Yes! Yes!" - that was the part that enjoyed seeing something NEW in this reboot. It always annoys the hell out of me that alternate realities never really end up being so different. Even in Mutant X most of the characters fell back into their 616 roles by mid-way through the series. Only Professor X was a big change, and in reality it was probably just the Shadow King possessing him and no one knew. So to have the Ultimate line drop back into formula already (which happened with Proteus as well) just stinks. And maybe that's the real reason I was bugged by this issue.
Well. Next issue intros the Hellfire Club, which leads to the Exorcist-style Phoenix story. It sounds new and interesting - here's hoping it is.