X-Men

Uncanny X-Men #6

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Uncanny X-Men #6When I saw the line-up of this new Uncanny X-Men title the one name included that gave me pause was Magik, and it was for the probability of stories exactly like this one. Although Uncanny X-Men #6 certainly isn’t great, it’s better than I expected.

Trapped in Limbo with the demonic version of Magik known as the Darkchilde, the X-Men fight back against Dormammu (with a little help from the Stepford Sisters who embolden the team to stop wetting themselves and take the fight to the demon). Although it’s certainly not my cup of tea, Brian Michael Bendis tells the story well and provides some humorous moments (such as several of the team’s members trying to quit on the spot).

Also intercut with this is Maria Hill‘s decision that she needs an inside man, or in this case woman, on Cyclops‘ team to have a better gauge at what exactly the mutant activist wants and how far he’s willing to go to achieve those ends. Her choice is a bit ridiculous, but certainly one I can appreciate. Worth a look.

[Marvel, $3.99]

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Uncanny X-Men #5

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Uncanny X-Men #5After their successful trip to the Jean Grey School School for Higher Learning, Cyclops, Magneto, and Emma Frost return to settle in their new recruits (Angel and the Stepford Sisters) and deal with Magik‘s bizarre episode in which she momentarily lost control of her powers and was dragged into Limbo by Dormammu who wants control of the realm. The only thing saves her is the reemergence of her Darkchilde persona.

For those unfamiliar with Magik and the source of her powers (and maybe even for those who know the character well) this new storyline seems like an odd shift in focus from the comic’s original arc. On the plus side the issue has some great character interactions including Cyclops doing his best to reassure Magik, and Angel’s on-the-nose comment about Magneto.

Magik’s inclusion on the team troubled me because I knew storylines like this were a very good possibility. Now with the entire team trapped in Limbo that’s where the comic seems headed for at least the next full issue. For fans.

[Marvel, $3.99]

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Uncanny X-Men #4

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Uncanny X-Men #4With the Avengers temporarily out of picture halfway around the world, Cyclops and his team head to the Jean Grey School for Girls where he, Magneto, Emma Frost, and Magik make a pitch to the students. Although they might not get as many new recruits as Cyclops had hoped, the mission is far from a total loss as they do return home with Angel, and the Stepford Sisters (who decide to return with Emma even after engaging in a little psychic warfare with their “mother”).

While the grown-ups are out recruiting, Fabio Medina, Triage, Benjamin Deeds, and Tempus get to know each other a little better, check out their new digs, learn all about the Danger Room when they accidentally activate the program, and speculate whether or not they have made the right choice joining Cyclops’ team. These scenes are quite fun.

Meanwhile, Magik begins experiencing troubles of her own as she is pulled through hell and back setting up what I can only assume will be the focus of the next issue (or two).

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A+X #6

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A+X #6Poker is the name of the game in this latest issue of A+X. We’re given two stories, each involving an Avenger and X-Man sitting down for a friendly game of cards.

The first story features Wolverine and Captain Marvel and is primarily of interest for the side conversation (inspired by Joss Whedon‘s Angel TV-series) concerning who would win in a fight between astronauts and cavemen. The fight, intermixed with other topics between the two, goes on through the entire story and doesn’t even stop when a super-villain bursts through the wall looking for a fight. My only real complaint with this first story is the art from Italian artists Giuseppe Camuncoli and Michele Benevento which is passable, but not great.

The second story, although not nearly as entertaining, also features two heroes winding up at a poker game as the Yancy Street friends of Ben Grimm invite Gambit, over for the weekly poker game. There’s some okay back-and-forth between the characters and late twist, but it’s the less interesting of the two stories. Worth a look.

[Marvel, $3.99]

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Uncanny X-Men #3

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Uncanny X-Men #3Tipped off by Magneto, the Avengers arrive to arrest Cyclops for the murder of Charles Xavier when the new X-Men show up at the family home of Tempus, one of Cyclops’ new recruits. Although we don’t get the battle we expect, writer Brian Michael Bendis continually ramps up the tension as Cyclops and Emma Frost do a pretty damn good job of defending their recent actions, turning the blame back on Tony Stark and the Avengers, and making a pretty persuasive argument why Scott Summers’ team is necessary in the current Marvel Universe.

Thanks to the time-altering powers of Tempus, the X-Men are able to leave without bloodshed and allow Cyclops and his team to make it home and confront Magneto over his betrayal. Here again, Bendis goes for a far more layered option as Magneto defends his actions and how they helped the X-Men claim an impressive victory of the Avengers.

When all is said and done Cyclops takes Magik‘s advice to take advantage of the Avengers frozen in time to make a little recruitment visit to the Jean Grey School for Higher Learning. Next month should be very interesting. Worth a look.

[Marvel, $3.99]

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