X is getting well past the year mark for its existence (well, second existence) as an ongoing series with this month marking its 16^th issue.  It started out as one of my favorite current ongoing series, and this locomotive of intense action, crime, and mystery has not faltered much.  There were a few missteps in the art department but luckily Eric Nguyen has resumed his rightful position on pencils which really, really makes a difference in the dread and disgustingness (in the best way possible) of Arcadia and its inhabitants. The ending of the last issue set up this issue perfectly, and after reading #15 you pretty much knew what you were in for this month.  Peter Winter (or as X has assumed, Archon) has X by the throat and dares X to stop him from taking X’s mask off.  Turns out since the last time X had his mask taken off, he has done a little readjusting and upgrading: he can now spray sulfuric acid from the lock on his collar, which he douses Winter with.

Meanwhile, Leigh is still assisting Haut and they also happen to be tracking X.  A strike team has been sent to the restaurant where all the commotion is going down-around this time is where we see the true power of Winter both physically and mentally.  He orders the attorney general and orders “full erasure protocol” meaning there will be no trace of Winter being at the restaurant along with no messy shootout with the strike force.  He’s able to make this happen and finally be alone with X.  Tango is mixed up in all of this and it’s pretty clear that Winter just used Tango to get to X.  X and Winter’s showdown is definitely one for the books, even in this brutal series.  Bones are shattered and popping out of skin and blood is flowing in this all-out war between these two stronger-than-human enemies.

Although not much happens this issue, it’s a great conclusion and sets up the next arc perfectly.  That said, I felt the ending was a bit anticlimactic-that may conflict with how I was describing the issue, but if you read it you’ll know what I’m talking about.  That said, I trust the great writing and am trying not to question the decision made.  That said, it was a bit of a letdown.

All in all, this was another solid entry in the series and I can’t wait for the next story arc to start.

Score: 4/5

Writer: Duane Swierczynski Artist: Eric Nguyen Publisher: Dark Horse Comics Price: $2.99 Release Date: 8/13/14 Format: Ongoing; Print/Digital