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Ahhh, all makes sense now. Not so much that he pulled it apart, but stopped holding it together.

"Fools! They built their clumsy satellite too close to mine. They deserved no better than they..."  I have to wonder if the Astronomy One Space Platform was even any closer to Asteroid M than any other satellites in stationary orbit.  Magneto might have easily gone around the neighboring satellite as through it. In fact, he might have expended more energy in going through it than otherwise in his weakened state.

I did not grasp immediately that the structure on Asteroid M was being held together by the active exercise of Magneto's powers, even though he was creating artificial gravity by the same method. I guess that Magneto had to continuously exert that magnetic pull on Asteroid M even at times that he was absent.  Since he is obviously in bad shape, it makes sense that the release of magnetism binding the structure on Asteroid M would be his easiest means of attack at that moment.

I love seeing Johnny Storm and Benjamin J. Grimm appear in these pages.  Franklin's abduction is certain to create a response, as does Wanda's abduction under the noses of Captain America and the Vision.  Circumstances that force the Avengers and the Fantastic Four into action with the X-Men against a common foe will make for an epic event.  As in earlier chapters, I cannot wait to see what comes next.

In the previous chapter, I wondered what the worst thing would be to happen if Jean hitched a ride with a truck driver.  I see that the worst may actually come to pass without intervention of mutant powers. If so, I anticipate an emotional catharsis if the malefactors receive what is coming to them. (Unlike the poor souls of the Astronomy One Space Platform who were undeserving of their fate, regardless of Magneto's rationalization of his evil deeds.)

The artwork in this chapter continues to shine with its exquisite detail.  There is a fine synthesis of plot, dialogue, artwork, and staging in the best creations of graphic expression in the sequential arts, and X-Men Elsewhen is a perfect example of this so far in the first 6 chapters.  As much as I admire John Byrne the artist, I think John Byrne the writer is the more talented of the two.  If this were not the case, X-Men Elsewhen would not be such a compelling narrative, but little more than some beautiful illustrations tied together by a mediocre story.

sniff sniff

Thank you for the welcome!  I am tempted to binge this material all at once since it is so entertaining, but I am following your suggestion to appreciate and savor each chapter.  

I am also really enjoying reading these threads of comments on each issue.  The readers' contributions are interesting, and the insights and comments from John Byrne regarding his creative process is icing on the cake!