Uncanny X-Men #26 kicks off a new story arc this week, and the new mutants known as the Outliers are in big trouble. With two plots, a bit of romance, and bad dreams, artist Luciano Vecchio and writer Gail Simone lay out mysteries and plenty of reasons to come back for part two.
The ongoing strong romance of Gambit and Rogue kicks off this issue, with the two taking a nightly stroll. Captions from Rogue detail why their bond is so strong, with the topic of children coming up, along with a future of grandchildren. It’s a wholesome beat, but it’s interrupted by muggers who need a lesson or two. This creates a compelling conflict for Rogue and Gambit to work through, leaving the two rattled.
From there, the main plot kicks into gear at Haven House. Nightcrawler and Jubilee are taking care of the kids, well aware they’re all having nightmares and bad nights of sleep of late. Simone keeps every scene feeling meaningful and character-driven, like a short scene in which Nightcrawler reveals he has always wanted to learn to play the piano. More romance is in store for him later, spicing things up as well.
Lovers!
Credit: Marvel
Speaking of nightmares, over four pages, Vecchio draws each of the Outliers asleep on one side, and their nightmares playing out over panels on the right. Each scene gives you a taste of their worst fears, while connecting all four in a shared experience, so to speak.
All this builds towards a final seven pages that are purposefully confusing in their randomness. Similar to the pulp western story in the last story arc, Simone is clearly playing around with expectations and structure, building towards a mystery that keeps the characters and you, the reader, in the dark. While you might be frustrated or confused at first, the creative team lays out different experiences for the Outliers that build towards a conclusion that is both fun and alarming. The threat, it seems, is hidden for now.
Vecchio’s art is great for a variety of reasons, from the demon-vibe Nightcrawler throws to a single panel giving so much. In one panel, Gambit chucks three cards and his pose, and the impact of the cards is exciting and intense, and that’s only one panel in a six-panel page. Another panel has Deathdream tied up, with Nightcrawler bamf’ing three times in an exciting series of punches and kicks. Again, a smaller slice of the panel, but so much to take in. Character acting is always strong too, and you’ll empathize with characters largely due to the expressions.
Uncanny X-Men #26 launches its new arc with confidence, balancing heartfelt character beats with an unsettling mystery. Gail Simone and Luciano Vecchio keep the focus on emotion and atmosphere, even as the narrative becomes more disorienting toward the end. It stands out for its inventive structure while still leaning into the touching relationships that ground the story. The result is an engaging opener that raises plenty of questions and gives readers a strong reason to stick around.
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