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Is Wolverine Dead? Who or what is the threat that could decimate the fierce X-Man? That is now the questions Rogue and her team of mutants must decipher. Time is running out on protecting the Outliers. In this new post-Krakoa time, The X-Men must find a way to survive.
UNCANNY X-MEN #4 by Gail Simone, David Marquez, Matt Wilson and Clayton Cowles (MARVEL COMICS) brings forth a dangerous showdown.
The series has got the NI Bullpen talking so for this review, it’s Megan Nicole (NI Brand Advisor/Vigilante Vibes Podcast), and yours truly (Ken – NI editor-in-chief/ODPH Podcast) breaking down the latest chapter.
*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***
LET’S TALK STORY!
KEN: Simone makes a loud statement early with Wolverine being left for dead. The reactions of Nightcrawler and Rogue echo the readers shock to see him beaten so badly. This directly sets the X-leader on a path towards confronting Sarah. Seeing how Rogue has evolved into the primary leader of the X-teams has been such a strength of this book. Cyclops should take notes.
READ LAST ISSUE’S REVIEW!
The confrontation between Rogue and Sarah is one that doesn’t hold back. Sarah’s back story (including the Xavier interlude) is fueled by pain and loss. This is countered by Rogue showing another strength she has: compassion. It drives her to try appeasing the challenge but with little success. In the background, the Outliers story progresses as a nice break in-between Rogue’s fight. This spirals into the close where the team braces for a stand they have no business surviving. Since the jump, this has been THE X-book everyone has talked about for a reason. This issue solidifies that winning streak with another excellent chapter.
MEGAN: When starting the Uncanny X-Men comics, you start with an innocent enough backstory. the journals of Charles Xavier somewhat puts you in a calm state. That calm state doesn’t last long when you enter into the chaos of the story. In Uncanny X-Men #4, that chaos is between Rogue and Sarah, who’s fighting to the death, it seems. Getting more of a look at Sarah’s tragic backstory, it certainly does put her anger into perspective. It seems she’s been savage from the beginning.
Meanwhile, Logan is being tended to by Nightcrawler, Gambit, and Jubilee when Gambit receives an alarming call from Dr. Corina Ellis. Corina says an army is on their way to the Haven, and it all comes down to these mysterious mutant kids that showed up looking for help from the X-Men.
HOW BOUT THE ART AND LETTERING!
KEN: Marquez and Wilson hit readers with a powerful full page image that they won’t forget anytime soon. A bloodied and broken Wolverine ushers in the main portion of the book. Rogue’s worry and Nightcrawler’s calm demeanors add more layers to what unfolds next.
Rogue’s confrontation with Sarah is a fantastic throwdown. The action panels move with a solid pace. Even when Sarah’s back story drops in, it takes nothing away from the viciousness of the fight. Cowles’ lettering puts a huge exclamation point on the showdown. From here, the art shifts to the X-Men’s stand-off. The outliers panels rally the readers for what is coming. Factor in an incredible full page parting shot to send this book home and the art team drops another great issue onto fans.
MEGAN: The only way to describe each and every panel of Uncanny X-Men #4 is powerful. The state of Wolverine when Rogue and Nightcrawler find him, the fight between Rogue and Sarah, the look of the army that’s sent to attack, all power. Even the interlude from Xavier’s journals packs an unexpected punch. The fight between Rogue and Sarah is something I haven’t personally seen in a long time. The fight was dark and raw, practically showing each nerve that Sarah hit.
FINAL GRADES:
KEN: 9.4 Rogue’s showdown with Sarah Gaunt goes off with much excitement and drama in another must-read issue. Simone’s writing sets events off with no hesitation. Marquez, Wilson and Cowles present the dangerous battle with some incredible pages. You want a great comic to read each month? This series had better be in your pull list.
Megan: 10. Gail Simone is not afraid to put the X-Men into danger and really leaves you craving to know what happens next. Seeing Rogue be the leader of the X-Men and still calling the shots when she isn’t around her fellow mutants is inspired. Meanwhile having Gambit lead the X-Men into war while Rogue is battling the fight of her life was perfect symmetry.
