The “From The Ashes” direction for the series continues in August for the X-Men franchise. To kick off the new month we are getting the return of the Uncanny X-Men series with Gail Simone and David Marquez as the creative team. Simone writing an ongoing X-Men series has been a long time coming. She has worked on various X-Men-related comics in the past but not an ongoing X-Men team series. Let’s see how the first issue goes with Uncanny X-Men #1.
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Gail Simone
Artist: David Marquez
Colorist: Matthew Wilson
Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Uncanny X-Men #1 SOLICITATION
“PROFESSOR X…IS GONE! A core group of essential X-Men rise FROM THE ASHES to face a world without a home – and without Professor X! All bonds among the mutant community seem to be slipping away, and ROGUE reluctantly finds herself as the hero designated to bring them back together…but a fearless, malignant power is out there hunting mutants, and it has a terrible secret that may destroy what remains of the X-Men!” – Marvel Comics
REVIEW
Uncanny X-Men #1 does exactly what it needs to do to give a fresh start to the members of this team that builds on the events of Fall of the House of X and Rise of the Powers of X. Gail Simone and David Marquez immediately show they understand how to write Wolverine, Rogue, Gambit, and Nightcrawler as individuals and a team. Their dynamic in particular is what helps this stand alongside its sibling X-Men title.
The thing that is most appreciated about this start with Uncanny X-Men #1 is how the weight from what happened in Fall of the House of X and Rise of the Powers of X is shown. While they don’t outwardly talk about the trauma they went through it is made clear that those events were a lot for Wolverine, Rogue, Gambit, and Nightcrawler. Even as this is to be a fresh start for them it does not mean they are just simply returning to what fans may perceive as their iconic versions. These are characters that are all now looking to find their place in the world without Krakoa to call home.
What added a unique element to this series compared to Jed MacKay’s X-Men series is the found family approach. The way Simone writes Wolverine, Rogue, Gambit, and Nightcrawler there is more of a familial feeling compared to the pure superhero team vibe of Cyclops’ X-Men. Wolverine’s dialogue stuck out most. Even though he does not say it, part of what keeps him around with Rogue and Gambit is he feels they are more like family to him. Nightcrawler and Rogue’s interactions further point to this aspect with their sibling dynamic being shown.
All of that makes how Rogue and Gambit are presented as a stable couple so refreshing. Their relationship is the foundational part of Uncanny X-Men. Having that foundation set made the scene where Rogue accidentally absorbed the X-Men fan they visited in the hospital such a strong scene. Gambit, Nightcrawler, and Wolverine knew exactly how to handle the situation to make sure Rogue wasn’t swallowed by this traumatic experience. They were there to reassure her it was an accident that focused on the family aspect of the storytelling.
The constant shifts between settings were another key to Uncanny X-Men #1’s success. With this being a talking heavy issue Simone made sure that the team wasn’t stationary. She timed every scene so that each interaction matched the vibe of the setting. It helped to feel we were getting genuine progression rather than just pure exposition.
However, that is not to say we didn’t get any action in this issue. The fight with the giant snake God showed the strong teamwork between Rogue, Gambit, and Wolverine. They had no fear in facing off against this larger-than-life threat. They all went all out combining their powers to make sure they win. It was a good showing for what we can expect from this series when action pops off in future issues with Marquez nailing the choreography of the X-Men.
The opening for Uncanny X-Men #1 also continued to show how the villains that the X-Men will be facing are going to be remnants of Orchis in one way or another. The new Dr. Ellis character taking over the old Xavier Mansion and turning it into a mutant prison was an unexpected development. The way this was framed it is something not widely known. It creates the question of how long it will be until the X-Men do find out what happened to their original home. Though unless Dr. Ellis makes a rash move there may be some time before they find out since the X-Men seem to want to disassociate with anything related to Xavier right now.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Uncanny X-Men #1 is a strong debut for one of the main series in the franchise. The dynamic established between Rogue, Gambit, and Wolverine drives the investment in this series. That along with the long-term villain plot quickly made this one of the best X-Men titles in the From The Ashes direction.
Story Rating: 8 Night Girls out of 10
Art Rating: 8 Night Girls out of 10
Overall Rating: 8 Night Girls out of 10
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