The Hellions are back, even if a little changed by their experiences in Arrako in Hellions #7, by writer Zeb Well, artist Stephen Segovia, colorist David Curiel, and letter Cory Petit. After the team’s deaths in Arrako, they want answers… but they have to deal with a problem with one of their own first.

Sinister cries crocodile tears to the Quiet Council about getting the dead Hellions resurrected, even though it’s happening during his over the top performance. Wild Child, Orphan Maker, and Nanny all return to life, with Wild Child and Nanny, changed sharper, and Orphan Maker in stasis. Havok asks Emma Frost to be allowed to leave the theme because he thinks he’s better, but she assures him he isn’t and tells him he needs to stay with the Hellions. The rest of the members are resurrected with no changes and want answers from Sinister. He instead sends them on a mission to get Nanny’s ship back so she can make new containment armor for Orphan Maker before he awakens and his powers destroy everything. The team tries to jump Sinister for answers, but Psylocke stops them and commands them to get ready for the mission before talking with Sinister alone. The reason behind Psylocke’s loyalty to Sinister is revealed, and the team leaves for the mission. Havok questions Psylocke’s defense of Sinister, and she sets the jet to autopilot and ushers the team to the escape pod. The jet crashes into the target, and the team is attacked by robots… which are destroyed with prejudice by Wild Child and Nanny. The team are confronted by an old enemy, one whose hatred for mutants knows no bounds.

Wells is a master of tone, and this book proves it over and over again. He knows when to inject just the right amount of humor into the proceedings to keep things light because this book, by design, goes to some dark places. Sinister continues to be a joy to read- his histrionics are entertaining, but they also hide a calculating man, one who tries to have the upper hand in all things. Psylocke’s loyalty to him has been a question throughout the series, and this issue reveals why she listens to a mad man like him, and it ties into the last time the two worked together, Fallen Angels. This reveal makes perfect sense for why she’d work with him and do his bidding so easily, even though she obviously loathes him- Sinister has something she wants.

The change in Wild Child and Nanny is also quite interesting. Something about Arrako has changed them, physically and mentally. They are more focused, and this lends their actions a brutality that they didn’t have before. So, while they definitely would have thrown themselves into the fray against the robot attackers before, they wouldn’t have acted with such gusto. They are altogether tougher, and this new personality changes the dynamic of the team; there’s no telling what they might do now. The villain reveal at the end of the issue is a nice blast from the past for X-Men fans as well.

Stephen Segovia does a remarkable job this installment. He’s able to capture Sinister’s performance, for lack of a better word to a tee, highlighting the ridiculousness of the whole thing. In fact, he excels at really capturing the sides of Sinister throughout. His portrayal of Psylocke is spot on as well- she’s going to do what she does with cold efficiency because Sinister has something she wants, and readers can see it from the way he draws her. He also captures the dangerousness of the new Wild Child and Nanny to a tee as well. His art captures the spirit of the script and makes it sing.

Hellions #7 serves as a turning point for the team- no one trusts Sinister, and now a lot of the team is silently judging Psylocke’s defense of him as well. Wild Child and Nanny have become wild cards, vicious survivors changed from their experiences. Wells finds the sweet spot between humor and drama, and Segovia’s pencils get the points across with aplomb. Hellions #7 sees a team changed by the experiences of X Of Swords, and it’s a great look.

Grade: B+