Uncanny X-Men #13: Fight for Your Right

Art: Yet another great cover from Salvador and colored in spectacular style by Rachelle, showing the graphics of the Usual Suspects on the hit list. Though the style of the art in the story isn’t to everyone’s tastes with a distinct lack of clean tidy panels and shiny outfits, this to me says so much more in favor of the direction they are taking. Salvador Larroca manages to keep the dark gritty edge without making it heavy handed and gloomy, adding to the feel of the narrative and making it crisp and full of energy. And again, as last issue, there is so much detail in the tiling. It’s weird that I keep focusing on that but for some reason it adds to the realism and gives the surrounding some true aesthetic and doesn’t just make it generic room number one. To make the surroundings part of things ensures a fully immersive experience.
The pencil lines on the faces as they discuss their next move are also ideal in showing the drama and plight they are in, giving personality to each talking head. Something usually not so detailed in a busy exposition scene. The image of Cyclops wearing a blindfold in bed and switching to the shades proves there is some thought going into the art as well as the story. And Guru-eFX’s coloring even shows the eyes behind the visor wonderfully, giving Cyke that human quality and not hiding his eyes completely, which is normally the fall back with any imagery of him. Showing the truth in the statement that the eyes are the windows to the soul.
Writing: Which brings us to the clearly divisive issue of outfits. The look is more than just echoing the good old days. It shows that with the desperate straits they are in they have to resort to some pretty drastic measures. Back bar room discussions, scribbled names on pieces of paper and dusty old outfits are the least of it. There is actual peril for them and they don’t have the comfortable and protective environment of a well guarded school to lay their heads at night. Doesn’t stop Wolvie finally getting that joke off his chest he’s been holding onto for soooo long.
And much like Astonishing X-Men before it, this run on Uncanny seems to have become much more dynamic and true to form than the first iteration within the title. And what is the one common denominator in this? Matthew Rosenberg is in full control. Despite claims he made a mistake adding Dani, with her being involved in the Age of X-Man arc. Seriously, let’s remember the man has been setting this up since New Mutants: Dead Souls. There is clearly no mistake. He plays the long game in a way we haven’t seen since the glory days of Claremont. With all that added to the equation and the X-Men on the back foot we finally get an inkling of what is now playing out before us. When he took the reins of Astonishing from Soule things definitely perked up and there is no doubt the flavor of what came after finally hit the mark, with the X-Men public enemy number one, hunted and backed into a corner. All of which is calling to mind the Outback era. And I for one couldn’t be happier.
Also there is one other ‘factor’ in common with this state of affairs. Havok. Or more accurately Havok in trouble and on the run. When he tried to use the X-Men name Kitty cried foul and told him he had no legal right. But this time is different. This time there is no question we are dealing with THE X-Men. And with his brother beside him providing that focused vision he can now see the bigger picture. Scott sees how to make the moves and Alex is the point man, always ready to charge into action no questions asked. Much like his time as a Genoshan Magistrate or Government watchdog in X-Factor. These two together could prove unstoppable.
Characters: And what of the other gathered members? Looking at the line up we have some of the best from three of the greats in the X-Family from the late 80’s up to the Mutant Genesis era. In Cyclops, Havok and Mirage we have the field leaders of the X-Men, X-Factor and New Mutants. Magik and Wolfsbane, core members of the New Mutants who each went on to serve with Cyclops and Havok respectively. And rounding out the team with Wolverine, Multiple Man and Karma we have the consummate wing man of each leader. And they are all clearly working together well, going up against Dark Beast and all contributing. Not only do we get Madrox gaining the much needed intel, there is the Summers brothers working in tandem against Dark Beast, who gets pt in his place by Wolverine as well as Magik, clearly having a ball and cutting loose. There is definitely a hint of Extinction about them too in the definitive actions of the group.
They take no prisoners. Well, apart from when they take prisoners. Harry’s Hideaway may not be X-Brig of the Utopia, but it serves a purpose. And with techno organic guards who don’t need sleep he isn’t going anywhere. The studying of the list and arguing the semantics of it all gave a great insight into everyone’s thoughts on the subject, with some clear foreshadowing of the future.
They aren’t aware of the status of some of those on the list as they haven’t caught up with the missing X-Men, so don’t know Apocalypse and Omega Red are missing too. Only that Nate and Legion were involved. Interesting that the ultimate strategist still sees Vulcan as a potential threat. Always thinking of the angles there Scott. There are also a lot of strong relationships in the mix here with this group of X-Men. While some may be waiting for Wolverine and Cyclops to inevitably rub each other up the wrong way, it is worth remembering that despite any schisms or love triangles, these two have always had each others back. From the early days, through the original Blue team and Astonishing. They are professionals.
These X-Men though are stripped back to the bare bones of what they are. Gone is the X-Jet, Danger Room, War Room, Cerebro and matching uniforms. They have fallen on hard times and make do with what they can cobble together. With Harry as their only ally they can count on being out of favor with anyone else important enough to be considered a key player. Whatever they do it’ll have to be on their own merit. And as they discuss their ‘to do’ list Havok keeps it real as well as bringing an un-apologetically irreverent flavor to the proceedings by naming the list the worst guest list ever. At least he still has that quirky sense of humor we know and love from X-Factor as he goes on to tick off all that is against them. But he’s not wrong. There is so much to be aware of.
And though he later also skirted around the issue of the Transmode Virus infected New Mutants and focused more on the current state of play in the world, angst could easily set in here. As the inevitable difference of opinion begins to show they also have the added friction of both being leaders in their own right as well as brothers. But so far they work well together and Alex is clearly keeping his big brother in check, worried about the past repeating itself.
All we need now are the two final members to show up. And it looks like we won’t have to wait long for that either. With Hope and Banshee set to show up in the confrontation with the MLF we are heading for a definite hum-dinger of a fight. Not least because Forearm is there and he and Dani will also have a lot to talk about.