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[katara]

Title: X-Men Red (2018-) #9
Author: Tom Taylor, Roge Antonio (Illustrator), Jenny Frison (Illustrator)
Format: Epub
Rating: 4.8/5
Status: Finished
Reading Date: November 5, 2018
Book Summary: Following the shocking events of X-MEN RED #8, it’s time for Jean to finally confront her demon head-on. Jean Grey and Cassandra Nova... The showdown begins here!
Book Review: Why does this issue feel like it is the last issue for X-Men Red?

In this issue, Rachel Grey, Jean's daughter from a possible not-so-near future, has been taken control of by Cassandra Nova. Jean has decided that it is time to not only face Cassandra Nova on her own but also Rachel. She believes that it best that she do this on her own but her friends are not about to allow her to do this on her own.

This issue was great. I must admit it was wonderful to see the ending conflict between Jean and Cassandra. I am quite sure that this is not the end between them and I am sure we are bound to see Cassandra pop up later in something else.

The reason I point out 'something else' because this issue felt not only rushed to finish up this storyline but it also felt as if this may be the last issue. Is it? I haven't seen anything about it being the last issue but this ending made it feel in such a way.

I really hope I am wrong on this because I would love to see Jean and her team do more and see yet another interesting villain pop up to throw another wrench in their plans to unite both mutants and non-mutants together.

But I guess we will have to see.

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[katara]

Title: Darth Vader (2017-) #22 (Darth Vader (2017) (Single Issues) #22)
Author: Charles Soule, Giuseppe Camuncoli (Illustrator), Elia Bonetti (Illustrator)
Format: Epub
Rating: 4.9/5
Status: Finished
Reading Date: November 5, 2018
Book Summary: “FORTRESS VADER” continues! The Tale of LORD MOMIN! Plans are drawn…a foundation is laid…and darkness rises on MUSTAFAR!
Book Review: This was yet another fascinating issue of Vader's series.

In our last issue, Vader found Alva Breene dead and her assistant wearing the helmet of the Sith Lord Momin. Vader kills the assistant and takes the helmet. Vader leaves the ship and heads to the cave where he had been previously meditating in. There he asks the helmet what it is and the helmet responds with, “I am Momin. And everything I did was guided by one simple principle.” And with that, the helmet unleashes a psychic outpouring into Vader giving a flashback history belonging to the Sith Lord.

After the history lesson, Vader briefly flirts with the idea of placing the helmet on himself but at a last minute, he decides not to and tosses it to the side. When invaders arrive, Vader engages them. He destroys all but one and places the helmet on them.

I won't go further as I do not wish to give up any ending spoilers but this series is quite entertaining and it continues to entertain while we get to see Vader grow into becoming a real Sith Lord. Vader is a complex character and this story adds another layer especially now that the helmet has a mind of its own.

I thoroughly enjoyed seeing the flashback scenes and I hope that Marvel will divulge a little more into Lord Momin's life. I think that would be quite a fascinating tale to be told.