THE UNCANNY X-MEN #33 – Coming to Terms

Creative Team – Gail Simone, Luciano Vecchio, Matthew Wilson, VC’s Clayton Cowles

Published by Marvel Comics

Catch up with The Uncanny X-Men #32!

The Story

In the last issue of The Uncanny X-Men, we were left on a somber note when Gambit and Rogue announced that they had to leave Haven House. The Outliers were understandably upset, most notably Calico, as they’ve looked at them in a parental role. The two mentors leaving truly was for the best, as Gambit has something in him that needs to be banished before it kills him or hurts the kids.

In The Uncanny X-Men #33, the Outliers are still struggling with Rogue and Gambit being gone, especially when it comes to the new adults watching over them. Monet St. Croix and Quicksilver aren’t exactly excited for this venture either, but they’re trying. Calico quickly forms a deep dislike for Quicksilver, and Monet isn’t making many friends around Haven House herself. Time will tell how these relationships will change, but if they don’t improve quickly, Calico will put an end to both her new mentors.

While things are tense at Haven House, they’re nothing compared to what Rogue and Gambit are enduring. In the quest to free Gambit from the evil that’s taken him over, Rogue takes him to a character that made me clean off a very dusty part of my brain, Gabriel, AKA Devil-Hunter. I haven’t thought about him since Hellstrom: Prince of Lies, so it was an absolute pleasure to see him tossed in the mix. What Gabriel’s part in this does is confirm one thing: that Gambit’s problem is much bigger than anyone could have guessed.

The Art

Luciano Vecchio is the artist of The Uncanny X-Men #33 with Matthew Wilson on the colors and Clayton Cowles on lettering. What I loved about this issue was the vast differences in tones between the switching of stories from the Haven House to Rogue and Gambit.

At the Haven House, while it was much more vibrant and lively given the Outliers were flexing their New Mutant suits and training, the emotions were clear from the start. The uneasiness of Monet and Quicksilver was written all over their faces, while Calico’s anger stood out like a sore thumb. Vecchio allows the characters to wear their emotions on their sleeves, giving you a great insight into all the new growing dynamics.

With Rogue and Gambit, the artwork takes a drastic turn towards darkness and mysticism, which Vecchio absolutely nails. With Gabriel being the perfect character to pioneer this situation, with him comes the demon-filled drama that excellently puts Gambit’s problem into perspective. This is where Matthew Wilson thrived in this issue, with the darkness and the scariness of this mysterious place and the monsters that come with the story. Together, the artists brought a beautiful issue that has the perfect balance of darkness and light, with emotional turmoil mixed in.

Final Thoughts

It’s not talked about enough how incredibly different Gail Simone makes each issue of The Uncanny X-Men, and each issue is a winner. The Uncanny X-Men #33 is high in emotion and wrapped in layers of different depths. Right now, every character is carrying their own issues, and we get to empathize with each one of them and feel what they feel. That’s the magic of Simone’s writing: she allows the reader to have a personal connection with the characters, making us feel closer and closer to them and the story.

Overall Grade – 9.4/10

Let me know in the comments what you thought of The Uncanny X-Men #33!

This review was written by Megan from the Vigilante Vibes Podcast! If you liked my review, be sure to check out my other reviews! Let me know what you think of The Uncanny X-Men #33, or tell me what comics you’d recommend me trying out! Find me on my socials, and check out my Marvel podcast, Vigilante Vibes, by clicking here!