It's not hype: I don't think an X-Men book has been this good in... decades.
spoilers:end of spoilers
Book opens with the preview pages. Cable, T-Bird, and Manifold meet in secret. Not sure what comes of that.
Storm confronts Brand in her chamber over her plan for Vulcan. Brand hints: I'm using Vulcan cause you refused to play along. Brand will have her loyal royal (or, at least, an Arakki-respected pawn) on the council one way or another. Storm walks off.
Data Page - Mentallo warns Brand, his cursory brain scans have uncovered that Vulcan isn't what he seems. It's not quite clear what he is because the Vulcan you see is not the real Vulcan. Xavier has yet to see through the illusion. Whatever his true nature, he's unstable and unimaginably powerful.
Magneto's castle - Magneto reveals his tortured soul to his inner circle and why he no longer has a taste for creating utopias. Storm and Roberto convince him he must challenge Tarn and take his place. Roberto's push was a nice touch.
In the arena - In the stands Roberto sits next to Isca the Unbeaten and flirts for a while. The battle commences. Vulcan and Tarn simultaneously shut down each others powers and begin a brutal slugfest. Tarn kills Vulcan and challenges the crowd with his victory. Magneto appears answering the challenge. Meanwhile, Roberto continues plying Isca and agrees that Tarn will probably kill Magneto. So he bets her that Tarn will win. Isca realizes she's been tricked into siding with Magneto and freaks out; she has some loyalty to Tarn.
Back to the fight: Magneto and Tarn begin. Magneto neutralizes Tarn's psychokinetic powers by forcing his helmet on Tarn's head. Tarn realizes what's happening and begs for mercy in front of the crowd. Magneto crushes Tarn's head off panel and declares he now sits in the Seat of Loss.
Analysis: Brand wins.
Mind crushingly good!