Once again, Gail Simone’s Uncanny X-Men perfectly balances gothic horror with high-octane superhero action. “The Dark Artery” is a dark and intriguing arc that seeks to uncover disconcerting secrets from the hidden recesses of mutantkind’s history. David Marquez’s art represents an artist at the top of his game, with each panel and page brimming with greatness and an overabundance of talent.
In Uncanny X-Men #13, we are introduced through a series of flashbacks to the character of Henrietta “Henry” Benjamin, an African American woman living in the segregation era of America, who is traveling from Chicago to Haven, Louisiana, to lay her mother to rest. Henrietta is a mutant, although in her time, mutants went by a different name, “mutates”. These “mutates” are also called derogatory names such as “Abhorrents”, “Moonflyers”, and “Johnny Devils”. While we never see Henrietta’s powers manifest themselves in Uncanny X-Men #13, her eyes glow red with rage when she is accosted and questioned by a member of an organization known as the “Service” who suspects that Henrietta may be a “Moonflyer”. It is implied that Henrietta’s mother was also a mutate, and that she wanted to be laid to rest in the Artery with her fellow mutates. Henrietta is a compelling and mysterious character whose introduction reveals a great deal about the secret history of mutantkind. Henrietta also has a personal connection with Haven, Louisiana, that will be revealed throughout this four-part story arc.
“The Dark Artery” arc also has two other plotlines running parallel to the flashback story that covers Henrietta’s journey from Chicago to Haven. Back in Uncanny X-Men #1, Gambit stole the Eye of Agamotto from Sadurang, the God Snake, and has been holding onto his prize ever since. Sadurang, now appearing in the form of a frost dragon, has returned to reclaim the Eye of Agamotto from Gambit. Sadurang tells Remy that he can return the Eye of Agamotto to Sadurang or keep it in his possession. However, the dragon cautions Remy that holding on to the artifact for too long will eventually drive the Cajun to insatiable hunger for human flesh. David Marquez draws a good-looking Gambit, and he looks even better when he is battling talking dragons and fighting carnivorous dinosaurs in the Savage Land.
The other plotline we see in this arc follows Jitter, Ransom, Deathdream, and Calico as they seek out the “Dark Artery”, which Hotoru calls a “highway of pain” that is calling out to them. Deathdream’s connection to the dead allows him to sense the disquieting truth that lurks within the Dark Artery. He says that the Dark Artery is “our secret for three hundred years” and urges the rest of the Outliers to help him unearth the secret that has been long buried within the graveyard that is the Dark Artery. We know from the flashbacks with Henrietta that these secrets are somehow connected to mutants.
Rogue punches a dragon and it’s really cool. Image courtesy of Marvel Comics
Uncanny X-Men #14 builds on the events of part one, with a lot of cool moments that make this issue enjoyable to read. Rogue gets in a fight with a dragon defending her husband, Callico reveals a startling truth about her bond with her psychic horse Ember, and we finally see Henrietta’s mutant powers in full force. This issue also pulls us deeper into the mystery of the Dark Artery, and teases that one of the Outliers may be lost forever to the dark and seductive allure of Haven House, as the Guardian of the Penumbra intends to claim one of the mutants to be their “Voice of Darkness”.
“The Dark Artery” continues with part three on May 28th, with the arc wrapping up on June 25th. Until then, we are left to wonder what sinister secrets lurk within the Dark Artery. Who or what is the Guardian of the Penumbra, and why do they want one of the Outliers to be their Voice of Darkness? These questions, and I’m sure many others, will be revealed as “The Dark Artery” continues in Uncanny X-Men in the coming months. For now, I am intrigued and eager to see how this story will play out.
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