The Uncanny X-Men #523

In a pivotal moment for the X-Men, Nightcrawler is shaken by the revelation that Cyclops has authorized X-Force to take on lethal missions—actions that blur the line between hero and vigilante. As the New Mutants track down Cable and Hope, the X-Men race to intercept them, only to be met with a sudden assault from Stryker and the Purifiers. Written by Matt Fraction and illustrated by Terry Dodson, with inks by Rachel Dodson and colors by Justin Ponsor, this issue sees the team pushed to their limits. The cover, by Adi Granov, captures the tension in a striking, dynamic image.