For decades, the X-Men have entertained comics fans as the misunderstood representatives of the mutant race, "feared and hated by a world they have sworn to protect" as the books said.

But this all changed in the Marvel Comics event called House of M, which saw most of the world's mutants lose their powers and an end to new mutants appearing.

Second Coming is the third of three stories - following Messiah Complex and Messiah War - which deal with the apparent rebirth of the mutant race. Or at least, they deal with the unexplained birth of a new mutant called Hope, who may somehow herald the dawn of a new age for mutants and humanity.

This book focuses on the return of Hope and her adopted father Cable from the future, and the attempts of a range of villains led by Bastion to kill them. The X-Men and their allies, naturally, fight to save Hope.

Although the trade paperback is a big thick book, it's not big on character development. What it does have is lots of stunning action sequences, and a massive cast.

But there is a bit more of the ongoing saga of Scott Summers and his attempts to lead the team following the sidelining of Professor X. Some X-Men, including Beast and Storm, are far from happy with the decisions he is making.