Editor's Note: Dark Avengers/Uncanny X-Men: Utopia arrives in stores tomorrow, June 24.

The "Dark Reign" is in full force. Norman Osborn is in sure power with the full force of not only H.A.M.M.E.R. behind him but also that of his secret Cabal and the Dark Avengers. Amongst his Cabal is of course Emma Frost, who Norman has charged with keeping the X Men, and mutants in general, in line. So what happens when an event causes the mutants to be involved in out of control behavior, and Norman considers Emma to have failed to keep them under control?

What happens when the X-Men have to face the awesome power of the Dark Avengers?

Dark Avengers/Uncanny X-Men: Utopia is an engrossing story that has left me dying to get my hands on the chapters that are yet to come. Fraction does an exquisite job of building up the tension and setting up--what looks to be--an epic story, certain to be talked about. Fraction also doesn't leave the reader waiting for everything as clashes are already shown breaking out in this issue between mutants and humans and as the first wave of Dark Avengers are sent into the fray.

Silvestri's art is outstanding, as usual. While art quality will always depend somewhat on individual taste, Silvestri captures each individual character well, brings the action to life, and makes dynamic use of angles, distance, expressions, setting, and more. He brings a sharp edge to each X-Man and Dark Avenger, leaving me sure that he was definitely the right artist for this project.

I won't go much more into details so as to not spoil anything, but Utopia is an example of the best that a first issue to a story arc can be; it not only gives us a good taste, but leaves us wanting more. With Fraction's narrative we can't help but wonder what the answer will be to many different questions: How can the virtually cornered mutants survive the overwhelming numbers against them? Which side will Emma Frost ultimately take? What does the re-emergence of Professor X mean for mutantkind? How can the X-Men hope to face off against Ares, god of war? Or worse yet, what can
they possibly do against Norman Osborn's "human H-bomb", The Sentry?

The answers are yet to come, and I can't wait to learn.

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