It’s here, X-Fans – the final issue of Uncanny X-Men. Yes, after an epic 19-issue run, Marvel Comics brings this beloved title to a close … until its next, inevitable relaunch. Because, money.
Uncanny X-Men #19 (Marvel Comics)
Inhumans Vs. X-Men is over and the majority of the Internet is angry at Marvel Comics for what the publisher’s done to Emma Frost. But the various X-Book creative teams still need to wrap up their runs! First up at bat is writer Cullen Bunn, with Uncanny X-Men artist of the month Edgar Salazar.
The creators tell a relatively simple story – er, about Psylocke trying to kill Magneto. The characters’ relationship was an odd one throughout Bunn’s run. Psylocke wanted to keep an eye on Magneto, promising to take him down if he ever went too far. Based on this issue’s recap page, Magneto did just that – “exercising means to an end that were ethically unconscionable.”
Yeah – Magneto. Shocker, right?
It’s all a bit strange. I realize Psylocke doesn’t have access to decades’ worth of X-Men comics, but Magneto has never been a boy scout. And Psylocke – of Uncanny X-Force fame … I seem to remember her doing lots of “ethically unconscionable” things in her many years of adventures. It all just seems overly dramatic for the two to be acting like this.
“I haven’t killed anyone since I signed on with you,” Psylocke tells Magneto. “That’s about to change.”
Okay, relax. Yeesh.
Uncanny X-Men #19 does have a cool moment, though – Magneto battling a dinosaur. If you read my review of IVX #3, you know this is something I really wanted to see in that series (but, alas, the master of magnetism never faced off against Devil Dinosaur). Anyway, it didn’t disappoint, even if it did only last for two pages.
What does disappoint? The fact that this series really doesn’t do too good a job of giving closure to the Uncanny X-Men’s stories. I guess they’re meant to continue in X-Men: Prime and beyond, but I have a strong feeling certain plot threads will be dropped under new writers’ pens.
This issue does lay the seeds for Bunn’s X-Men: Blue, so if you plan on reading that series, you’ll want to pick it up. The art by Salazar is also nice – and quite colorful. Of the artists who worked on this volume, Salazar was one of the stronger illustrators.
Overall, Bunn’s Uncanny X-Men run has been an interesting, but inconsistent one. There were some strong moments and character work (Sabretooth and M), mixed with appearances from obscure X-Characters (The Nasty Boys and Emplate). At the same time, certain arcs (like the one that set up Archangel’s new status quo) further complicated characters who are already far too complicated to begin with.
Let’s hope the next time Marvel Comics relaunches Uncanny X-Men, it receives the top-tier treatment and A-list cast of characters it deserves. No offense to Xorn and Elixer.
Join the AIPT Patreon
Want to take our relationship to the next level? Become a patron today to gain access to exclusive perks, such as:
- ❌ Remove all ads on the website
- 💬 Join our Discord community, where we chat about the latest news and releases from everything we cover on AIPT
- 📗 Access to our monthly book club
- 📦 Get a physical trade paperback shipped to you every month
- 💥 And more!
You must be logged in to post a comment.