Uncanny X-Men #475

Uncanny X-Men #475
I feel like I've missed something. Was there an issue between 474 and 475 (besides the ridiculous annual)? Why is Charles Xavier back at the mansion? Where in the world did Warpath come from - and when did he get these knives from Storm? Isn't it too early to bring Polaris back into the fold? Heck, she JUST LEFT!!! Why have Hawok and Rachel apparently completely forgiven the Professor for the deceptions, selfishness, and thoughtlessness revealed in Deadly Genesis? When exactly did Xavier and Lilandra have their marriage anulled? Otherwise, this is a pretty solid first issue for Ed Brubaker and Billy Tan, although it really doesn't read like Brubaker's other stuff. His unique voice seems to be missing. The feeling that was present during Sleeper, Catwoman, Gotham Central, and that we see in Captain America and Daredevil, is just missing. Maybe he is overextending himself? But the dialogue is good, and it looks like the beginning of what could be an exciting story. And, though I wish him no ill, I am soooo glad that Chris Claremont is gone. JLA, Excalibur, New Excalibur, Uncanny, The End, all of it was crap. Poorly written, near nonsensical crap. And I'm so glad that he won't be taking over on Exiles. That said, we seem to be heading off on a story reminiscent of the good old days when Chris Claremont didn't SUCK. Space opera here we come! A VERY GOOD first issue. I'm looking forward to #476. [Just one more note: Billy Tan's work on this is very pretty, and easily readable, but he can't draw Beast for shit. It almost looks as if he drew Beast with his old features, then was reminded that Beast is now more feline in appearance, and just tried to alter what he had already drawn, with the end result being that he looks somewhat like a blue elf in some panels, and more like a blue orc in others. Also, it appears that he has forgotten that Beast wears glasses when working. Hopefully these aberrations will have disappeared by the next time we see Beast. Personally, I wouldn't mind if Beast went back to looking like he used to, but continuity dictates that barring some unforeseen future plot development, he will remain in his feline form for the time being. Everybody else looks beautiful. I find Rachel's impishness particularly interesting, if out of the ordinary for someone who has suffered so much recently and needed so much psychotherapy. But it's cute.]