Nightcrawler does his best to help stop the Celestial from destroying Earth in Immortal X-Men #7, by writer Kieron Gillen, artist Lucas Werneck, colorist David Curiel, and letterer Clayton Cowles. Judgment Day crossovers have been top-notch, and this issue is no different.

This book gives readers some context on what led up to the events of Judgment Day #5, with Nightcrawler as its touchstone. From finding out Destiny’s plan to dying with Cap to his resurrection for plan B, the issue basically adds more to the story. The end is the big surprise, as it reveals that Nightcrawler is out to make allies that no one expects: Moira and Orchis.

The best part about Gillen having overall control of Judgment Day is that readers get tie-in issues like this one. Immortal X-Men has been very supplemental to the event book, giving readers more context. It added details to situations that involved the Quiet Council while also adding to the story in little ways. This chapter does more than add to it in a little way, though. In fact, this tie-in issue feels like it’s completely necessary to the story of Judgment Day. Teaming Moira and the mutants is a big deal, even if it is only temporary. Plus, it’s fun to see Nightcrawler solo Nimrod, even if it takes many, many deaths for him to get to a spot where he can do so.

As is tradition, Gillen singles out Nightcrawler as this chapter’s POV character, and that is just as awesome as it sounds. Nightcrawler is all about optimism and hope. He knows the stakes of what’s going on, but every setback and defeat doesn’t daunt him. They keep him moving forward. He’s a hero through and through. Besides showing off how funny and charming he can be, the issue also reminds people that he’s not to be trifled with. Sinister makes a joke about Egg dying in front of the young mutant, and Nightcrawler backs him down with fury and righteous anger. Gillen gets Nightcrawler so well, and readers get to see the character do what he does best: be awesome.

Werneck and Curiel do a fantastic job with the art. There are a lot of great scenes, from Nightcrawler blowing up on Sinister to Mystique and Destiny dying in each other’s arms to Nightcrawler taking out Nimrod. Nightcrawler is a ball of energy, and the art team captures that perfectly.

Immortal X-Men #7 is yet another excellent crossover comic. Gillen, Werneck, and Curiel keep proving why this book is the best in the X-Men camp. It’s also extremely important to Judgment Day and definitely deserves a read from anyone who is reading that book.

Grade: A+