You know that feeling you get when a dead guy, who is also a sentient room, is maniacally going on and on about his own existence and his devious plans, while speaking to you with his broken neck hanging haphazard to one side? Yeah, I know, scary. Well, that is the same feeling that Kiddy Pryde is feeling in issue nine of Astonishing X-Men.

Ahh, the Danger Room. It is a bit farfetched for this training facility to come to life and decide to exterminate the X-Men. But then, it is a bit off to use the word farfetched when talking about a comic involving the exploits of a team of mutants who fight for justice. It was in issue eight when we first discovered that the current enemy of our beloved X-Men is not in the Danger Room, but the Danger Room itself. Issue nine explores the range of its sentience, the bad-guy slant, and the overall evil intentions of said room. And, while I have full faith and trust that writer Joss Whedon is going somewhere, I have to say, Get on with it.

Issue nine, in dealing with Kiddy Pryde and her attempts to sway the Danger Room to do good via talks with broke-neck dead guy, and the continuous attempts of the X-Men to gain access to the newly aware room, is entertaining but seems to be on the verge of pointlessness.

I should say that Astonishing X-Men is vastly superior to its fellow X-Men titles, and that I have thoroughly enjoyed each issue. But this Star Treck esque side track has the feel of something being beaten to death. I really wish the story would just move on, and will be dismayed if it doesn't in the next issue.

The art in this title is done by John Cassaday, whose style is excellent, different, and, except for the appearance of Kirsti Alley as Emma at the end of issue eight, is perfect. As for writing, the book never fails to leave you wondering what is going to happen next, and keeps you well enthralled. But, this story about the Danger Room better not go on for more than one more issue. I can only take seeing each of the X-Men trying to break into its central nervous system a few more times before I start confusing this book with an early Image title.

What is to come? Well I am not sure. Apparently, once the X-Men (who think they are going to free the massive amount of students held hostage by the Danger Room) succeed in cutting the room’s ties to its power source, it is going to become a free and independent being. But what then? Is it going to leave the school to join the circus? I mean, it’s a room for the love of Pete, and it doesn’t even have a knapsack or overalls.

Whatever happens, rest assured that the situation is bringing out in Colossus his feelings for Kiddy, which will no doubt develop their relationship. And, if the Danger Room does indeed run away, it will mean that the X-Men will need a new place to train, and probably create a new Fantastic Four villain (doesn't a run-away room capable of taking on any given environment seem like something Mr. Fantastic and crew would fight?). Lots of changes seem to be brewing, all of which will no doubt involve the Shi’ar, which smells of action, promise and fun for us. Stay tuned.

-Peblee