"Astonishing X-Men' character designs by Simone Bianchi

In anticipation of this week's release of "Astonishing X-Men" #25 by the new creative team of writer Warren Ellis and artist Simone Bianchi, Marvel Comics has provided CBR with a gallery of Bianchi's character designs for the best-selling series. When you're through checking out these exclusive images, don't forget to visit CBR's X-Men forum to discuss "Astonishing X-Men" with fellow readers.For more on "Astonishing X-Men," be sure to check out CBR's exclusive preview of issue #25 , as well as our advance review of the book, which is on sale this week.ASTONISHING X-MEN #25

COVER BY: SIMONE BIANCHI

WRITER: WARREN ELLIS

PENCILS: SIMONE BIANCHI

INKS: SIMONE BIANCHI

COLORED BY: SIMONE PERUZZI

LETTERED BY: CHRIS ELIOPOULOS THE STORY:

It's the book you've been waiting for. The superstar team of Warren Ellis and Simone Bianchi are ready to take the X-Men to the "Second Stage"! "Messiah CompleX" pulled the X-Men team together, "Divided We Stand" tore them apart. Now the X-Men are back to business -- with a new look, a new base of operations, and a mystery to solve that will take them into previously uncharted territory and test them to their core!

SFX TIE-IN

Rated T+ ...$2.99

IN STORES: July 2, 2008