Uncanny X-Men #8 brings the “Raid on Graymalkin” crossover. This is the first crossover event in the X-Men: From The Ashes direction for the franchise. The importance of this event was shown with the return of Charles Xavier at the end of X-Men #9. Seeing the former X-Men mentor and leader of Krakoa creates so many intriguing possibilities for how the “Raid on Graymalkin” crossover could end. Let’s see how things go with Uncanny X-Men #8.
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Gail Simone
Artist: Javier Garron
Colorist: Matthew Wilson
Letterer: Clayton Cowles
UNCANNY X-MEN #8 SOLICITATION
“The explosive saga ends here, with Rogue and Cyclops on opposite ends of the mutant struggle, perhaps forever! Are they honoring Xavier’s legacy or destroying it? Do they choose loyalty or the law? An all-out action issue that will affect both teams (and the entire mutant community) with devastating results! Featuring guest artist Javier Garrón!” – Marvel Comics
REVIEW
Uncanny X-Men #8 is the franchise at its best. This isn’t just an action-packed end to the “Raid on Graymalkin” crossover. Nor is it just drama filled end. It is a mix of both in a way that drives home how many fascinating angles there are to the X-Men: From The Ashes direction. From that there is a complexity to the franchises current status quo because of the wealth of characters that we are invested in.
Throughout the “Raid on Graymalkin” crossover the emphasis has been on the two X-Men leaders. This has been as much Cyclops and Rogue’s story as it has been about the team. Gail Simone continued that by highlight how the X-Men and Uncanny X-Men team’s current direction is a reflection of their respective leader. Simone, like Jed MacKay, makes sure to not favor Cyclops or Rogue more. They both have parts of their chosen direction that can be said is right or wrong. It is what creates the complexities with the overall X-Men: From The Ashes direction.
Their differences as leaders is especially shown with the ultimate decision that has to be made. Rogue still views the X-Men as a family and no matter what has happened Charles Xavier was a father figure for her. So it is understandable that she would want to save her mentor. But on the opposite end Cyclops, while considering Xavier a father-figure, is someone who doesn’t forget and believes crimes should be answered for. Especially with the crimes committed by Xavier not “rescuing” is so their mentor answers for his part in Krakoa’s destruction.
To Simone’s credit the ultimate decision is not treated as right or wrong, rather a complex shade of gray. This in turn highlights how the entire “Raid on Graymalkin” wasn’t about our heroes defeating Dr. Corina Ellis and bringing down her anti-mutant facility. This was ultimate the conclusion of the first chapter of a great X-Men saga we are just starting out. While both X-Men teams get their respective members captured back they leave with that being the only thing they accomplish. The other captured mutants and Graymalkin facility are still where they were. And if anything this raid just escalated Dr. Ellis plans for the future.
All this creates an even more dangerous foundation for what will be 2025 for the X-Men franchise. Neither X-Men team are just hiding out in their respective corners. There has been a very public display that the X-Men will fight against anti-mutant forces. That is something that is sure to trickle down to all the other X-Men titles, which we will see in the upcoming X-Manhunt crossover.
Javier Garron artwork throughout Uncanny X-Men #8 was solid. It did have a much brighter tone than the previous chapters of this crossover, which doesn’t fully nail the darker direction of the story. The psychic battle Xavier gets into is shown off well to get across how in a different plane this battle was taking place.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Uncanny X-Men #8 is a strong conclusion to the “Raid on Graymalkin” that sets up a lot of interesting things for the franchise to tackle in 2025. The interest in what comes after is a credit to what is accomplished with the complexities behind the choices Cyclops and Rogue as X-Men leaders have to make. The fallout of those choices provide plenty of opportunity for exploration in different, exciting ways.
Story Rating: 9 Night Girls out of 10
Art Rating: 7 Night Girls out of 10
Overall Rating: 8 Night Girls out of 10
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