Share this
Creative Team – Gail Simone(writer). Javier Garrón(artist). Matthew Wilson(colorist). VC’s Clayton Cowles(letterer). David Marquez & Matthew Wilson(cover artists). Chris Giarrusso, Miguel Mercado, Nick Bradshaw & Rachelle Rosenberg(variant cover artists).
Published by Marvel Entertainment
Catch up with Uncanny X-Men #7 here!
The series has got the NI Bullpen talking so for this review, it’s Megan Nichole (NI Brand Advisor/Vigilante Vibes Podcast), and yours truly (Ken – NI editor-in-chief/ODPH Podcast) breaking down the latest chapter.
The Story
Megan: Picking up where X-Men #9 left off(you can catch up on that here), the X-Men from Louisiana and the Alaskan team are under attack by a powerful mutant by the name of Scurvy. While he has the mutants in a rather painful position, get a little background on how Scurvy started working for Corina Ellis.
Turns out, they were closer than I would’ve guessed as Ellis snaked her way into his life to find out more about his powers, which lead her to using him as her own personal weapon. Scurvy, being a mutant who says he’s powerful enough to go toe to toe with Charles Xavier, proves just how strong he really is against Charles Xavier and he X-Men.
On the other hand, this was also a situation for Rogue to showcase how strong she is, as she’s the one that that was able to stand against him. What I really love about Gail Simone’s take on Uncanny X-Men is how she’s constantly showing Rogue as the powerhouse she is, while also showing that she’s still learning herself. Once Rogue has to make the hard choice regarding Charles, it shows how she struggles working through her emotions rather than seeing the broad picture.
Ken:Simone throws a few new looks into this twisting tale. Scurvy comes across as a sympathetic pawn to Ellis. Handling both X teams is quite the introduction feat. Readers watch as a polarizing figure emerges to fight back. It is one that is met with mixed reactions. Xavier’s role gives balance and a few wrinkles into the fight. It covers up the true main event: Rogue vs. Cyclops.
Both X leaders have vast ideologies of how to handle events. Simone has written Rogue as the embodiment of the original dream since the beginning. That never slows down in the conclusion. Even after the conflict is “settled”, Rogue’s emotions flow with the rage and heroics of the true X leader. Its’ resolution feels more of a pause instead of an end. Readers may have differing opinions on the conclusion but one universal statement. Without question, we are in the Rogue era and that is a huge win for readers.
The Art
Megan: In Uncanny X-Men #8, we’re treated with some great shots of both teams of X-Men, something I’ll never get tired of. Another thing I really enjoyed was the fight between Scurvy and Charles Xavier, as I feel Javier Garrón made that battle feel larger than life. Besides all these great panels we got, I think the thing I really focused on the most was Matthew Wilson’s fantastic coloring work throughout the eight issue of Uncanny X-Men. My eyes felt glued to every page, while being excited to see what was in store for me on the next one.
Ken: Garron steps in for art duties for this chapter. The book kicks into gear with an excellent two page title splash. It’s always a catching visual to see the title woven into the action. The art team gives readers another great striking image. The full page face off of Scurvy vs. Xavier starts the main event.
The tensions also boil over between Rogue and Cyclops. Emotions take over for powers as the two start letting loose. It ultimately rolls into a big two page spread of the teams poised to end events. As the story rolls into the close, panels switch gears. The mission’s outcome takes center stage. There is enough bad blood between both squads. Judging the finals panels, one round has ended but another is poised to be set off.
Final Thoughts
Overall Grade: 9.1/10
Megan: 9.6/10. Uncanny X-Men is easily one of the best things to come out of From the Ashes, and I think Gail Simone has spoiled the readers time and time again with it. This Raid on Graymalkin crossover has been been so much fun to experience and makes me really excited to see what Simone has in store for us next.
Ken: 8.6 The X-Men’s raid comes to a grinding halt in its’ closing chapter. Simone’s writing exposes the old wounds too grave to overcome. The art juggles the team’s conflict to the stalling end. Knowing “X-Manhunt” is looming in the future, the Raid leaves readers with much to ponder until then.
