UNCANNY X-MEN # 1
Written by Brian Michael Bendis
Art by Chris Bachalo, Tim Townsend, Al Vey & Jamie Mendoza
Marvel Comics
FLIPPING THROUGH:

Normally, I would give you a brief
history but the book does that for you. We get an interesting device of the
issue being narrated by the person that is the Judas to Cyclops’ revolution.
This was definitely a different Cyclops. Yet, it works and fits with everything
that has occurred since Avengers vs X-Men. Cyclops is now an outlaw and
considered a revolutionary with the mutant population booming again.
His team scoops in to gather a
brand new mutant only to encounter
Sentinels. Magneto, depowered a little bit because of the Phoenix
(which still makes me scratch my head since the Phoenix attacked other mutants and their
powers didn’t go gaga like his) and a now over powered Cyclops takes them down.
The rest of the team gathers a young man
who just dealt with emerging powers. Not much on Magik but Eva who we
saw in All New X-Men is now going by Tempus.
Our narrator seems to be
talking to Maria Hill & Nick Fury Jr. At the end, we get a reveal of our
Judas. And I will just keep it there.
ART:
Bachalo’s
style has always been very different. I do not know many people with a similar
style (the closest being Mark Buckingham but his style evolved differently than
Bachalo’s). There are gritter inks to it but there are some definitely uses of propaganda
art throughout the comic that helps give it the right feel, thanks to the
inking team of Vey, Townsend & Mendoza. Cyclops is indeed leading a
revolution now. And I hope this ride is a very, very long one … LIKE AT LEAST A
DECADE. Anyway, Bachalo not only pencils the issue but also colors it himself.
And Bachalo’s art looks amazing.
Each panel is distinct and
rich but there are pieces where things really work in terms of art that deals
with Cyclops’ revolution. It is like the book continues to not only side with
Cyclops visually, but shows you dramatic pieces that jump at you as if it were
a program. Bachalo does not disappoint with the Sentinels either. Yet, I am not
too keen on Magneto’s redesign. There were a couple of panels that seemed a bit
. .. fast. Like the opening panel with
Hill, Coulson & Fury walking down a corridor. I have seen Bachalo’s work
for years but I don’t know if it was the pencils or inks but it feels like that
panel was rushed to get into the “good stuff.”
Each panel, in my mind, is important but that one just looked rushed or
lazy. Yet, the coloring makes the panels vivid and working towards a propaganda
style that goes along with Cyclops revolution. Otherwise, a solid job by
Bachalo.
WRITING:
This is probably one of the
most inventively written books from Bendis. As I touched on with the art, there
is a sense that is book is continuing giving you propaganda. From Cyclops’
image on the first page, to multiple panels which show Mutants getting
attacked. Bendis crafts a great opening issue. He gives you the background. He
sets up problems with SHIELD. He sets up this new mission of Cyclops’ yet also
gives a very interesting look at it. Already, one of Cyclops’ most trusted
X-Men are betraying him. Yet, we see loads of propaganda that prove Cyclops’
point visually while we are being told the opposite about Cyclops verbally. It
makes an interesting was to go through the issue. It enhances what is going on
even more and makes an interesting statement in the causes that Cyclops is now
championing.
Each characters voice was
interesting. Yet, I find that for a book called Uncanny X-Men, we seem to have
a split focus on SHIELD as well. Still, Bendis writes a bit darker here and it
works. The use of propaganda over topped by the Judas’ narrative was inventive.
The characters’ voices rang true. A great solid first issue by Bendis.
OVERALL IMPRESSION:
Bendis continues his mastery
over all things X-Men with an inventive start for Uncanny X-Men’s third volume.
The flavor of added propaganda mixed with narration from one of the people that
is supposed to be one of its champions was a great storytelling device. Bachalo’s
art is just as inventive with interesting colors and panel work, yet some of it
was a little lazy. Otherwise, I am excited to see where this road takes
Cyclops.
RATING:
I give this book an 8.0 out of 10. A few lazy panels aside, I loved the
opening of this book and look forward to more.