As judgment approaches, there are deals to be made for Sebastian Shaw in Immortal X-Men #6, by writer Kieron Gillen, artist Lucas Werneck, colorist David Curiel, and letterer Clayton Cowles. Gillen delivers another stellar crossover issue, but that’s to be expected at this point.

The issue starts with a quick recap of the events of Judgment Day #3, showing Sinister and Destiny getting the Quiet Council to vote to destroy the Celestial and the aftermath. It goes into further detail by showing the Celestial judge Destiny. At the Council meeting afterwards, plans are made, and Sebastian Shaw agrees to meet with a representative of the Eternals to make a deal. At that moment, a demonic apparition goes after Exodus, and Shaw knocks him out, ending the whole thing. In New York, Shaw meets with Starfox, and the two discuss a deal to save the world. Then, Shaw makes a deal of his own for his future, just in case the world doesn’t end.

Immortal X-Men has been particularly good during Judgment Day, which makes perfect sense since Gillen is writing both. This issue is another example of that, although the recap from the last issue of the event wasn’t exactly needed. Other than an info page where Destiny predicts how everyone will vote with a little speculation, no new information is given. While it’s possible that someone reading Immortal isn’t reading Judgment Day, it just seems like a waste of page space. Luckily, it doesn’t really hurt anything in the chapter; it’s just a strange misstep in a book that hasn’t had any yet.

Gillen keeps up his trope in the book so far of picking a narrator from the Council. This issue is Sebastian Shaw, and Gillen gives readers a look into his past that says a lot about who Shaw is today. It’s not as deep as other chapters, but Shaw isn’t that deep. He’s about profit and survival, which is what makes the issue’s ending all the more intriguing. It’s great that Gillen is still laying things down for the future of the book, even in the middle of a major event.

Werneck returns to the book, which is wonderful. No one draws a more beautiful Emma Frost than him, but the highlight is the action scene. Werneck and Curiel raise the roof to insane levels with this sequence. Shaw is the best part. It’s only one punch, but the way he strides forward is great. It’s a scene that hinges on body language and character acting, and the art team knocks it out of the park.

Immortal X-Men #6 is another excellent issue. The opening could have been axed except for Destiny getting judged, but overall it all works. Werneck and Curiel do a brilliant job with the art, which is to be expected. It’s definitely a great read.

Grade: A-