(W) Joss Whedon (A/CA) John Cassaday Joss Whedon and John Cassaday put the astonishing in X-Men! A blockbuster era for Marvel's mutants! Cyclops and Emma Frost re-form the X-Men as the world's greatest super team, with Wolverine, Kitty Pryde and Beast completing the initial roster. They plan to astonish the world - but when unexpected news about the mutant gene hits the airwaves, will it derail their dreams? As demand for the 'mutant cure' reaches near-riot levels, the X-Men go head-to-head with the enigmatic Ord - but a startling surprise awaits them in the heart of their enemy's stronghold! Then, a tragic death at the Xavier Institute reveals a powerful enemy living among the X-Men that they could never have suspected. Reunited with Professor X, the team will face this dangerous new foe in the ruins of Genosha?but secrets from the past might derail the team's future! Plus: The debut of S.W.O.R.D.! COLLECTING: Astonishing X-Men (2004) 1-12 Rated T+

(W) Joss Whedon (A) Michael Ryan (CA) Jo Chen The kids start running in a different direction, courtesy of superstar writer Joss Whedon! Rebellious teens Nico, Chase, Karolina, Molly, Victor and Xavin are survivors. All children of super villains, they turned against their evil elders to become amateur super heroes. But when the authorities chase them out of Los Angeles, the Runaways forge an uneasy alliance with East Coast crime boss Kingpin, placing them on a collision course with the killer vigilante Punisher. The ensuing disaster hurls the kids a century backward in time, trapping them in 1907 New York - home of child labor, quaint technology and competing gangs of super-folk known as 'Wonders.' Can the Runaways escape a super-powered war on the streets of New York and get back to the future? Find out in a timeless tale of comedy, romance and old-fashioned heroism! Collecting RUNAWAYS (2005) #25-30. Rated T+