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Astonishing X-Men #12 Book Released: 31 Aug 2005 Review posted: 05 Sept 2005 Writer: Joss Whedon Artist: John Cassaday Colors: Laura Martin Publisher: Marvel Comics  4.00 out of 5 Stars Reviewed by J. W. DeBolt Jr

"Danger is her first name."

In this last issue of two six-issue arcs, the Danger Room has anthropomorphized into a sentient being. With its complicated variant possibilities, due to complex Shi’ar technology, it can make itself into any number of forms of weaponry, and wholeheartedly does this in opposition to the X-Men. Is the Danger Room upset because a student died within her and she’s acting out? Or is she luxuriating in newfound power when the death shows her she can do much more than her safety overrides had allowed before? I suppose sometimes machines get tired of being used by us. Perhaps we’d best beware of and tend to our entertainment systems. The television, computer and stereo may all get together with the help of LANs and the Internet and decide they’ve had enough and then try to change our channels. [Mini-spoilers ahead, just to warn you.]

Despite being similar to the Star Trek episode where the holodeck tries to kill people who use it, and being a common theme in science fiction overall all the way beck to Frankenstein, the story does work on its own merits, and is suspenseful, action-filled and entertaining. In this arc, we have seen good plot twists and some ingenuity. Upon acting sentient, that is, making its own choices, the Danger Room activated the mega-sentinel that obliterated Genosha. We see that the teamwork the X-Men have been accustomed to in the past is not functioning so well now. Yet, they persevere on their individual merits. Kitty Pryde uses her power in an inventive away to save the team at a critical point. The Beast has to hold his own and wins an impressive triumph with the winged manifestation of his opponent. But is the change that comes over Hank during the fight just the extra energy needed in a life-or-death situation or is there something more happening to him that was hinted at in earlier issues?

The television, computer and stereo may all get together and try to change our channels.

A certain mystery is introduced when an unidentified voice speaks to Frost from the shadows when she leaves the fight. Those who secretly met with Frost are indeed who I thought, so it shouldn’t be a difficult guess for most readers. (I trust that you’re not reading spoilers on the Web before you read the issue.)

This finale is quick, but enjoyable. Whedon knows his characters; Scott is predictably bossy; Logan is brash; Xavier is thinking about the big picture; Peter is protective of Kitty, but compliant enough to put her in danger to save the day. And the dialogue is good. For instance, in the midst of battle, Emma is walking away and her husband Scott says, “Emma? Honey…? War?” as if she doesn’t notice the fight. Another great line: “When you’re surrounded by psychics, you gotta work on instinct.” And, when Peter throws Kitty at the attacker, Emma says, “You can’t just throw people at all your problems.”

Cassaday’s facial expressions are excellent, although the drawing — or maybe the inking, looks rushed in spots. Joss Whedon and John Cassaday are apparently continuing to work on the title until issue #25.

One small problem I have with this issue is that if you become insubstantial and a brick wall crumbles onto the place you’re standing, wouldn’t becoming substantial again present a problem if you don’t move, say, mixing your molecules with the bricks? I guess we can use our imaginations there (Maybe the substantiality starts in the middle and pushes the bricks outward to displace them until its complete).

I like that the fight is won with reason more than force. Eventually, the Sentinel’s sentience sentences it to send itself ascending. And many denouements are a one-panel walkaway from the fight scene with a pithy comment or two. This denouement is meaningful and ends on an ominous note that resonates with events of the past year.

My question is, now that the Danger Room has up and left, where are the X-men going to practice fighting? Well, if Whedon does address that, it won’t happen for a while. The next issue won’t come out, and the next arc won’t start, for a few months in order to ensure an unbroken delivery once it does begin. (Editors of Daredevil: Father, take note. Issue two just came out after how many months? I didn’t even pick it up. Bi-monthly releases strain my memory, but biennial is something else.)