Uncanny X-Men #16: Leather Daddy Logan And The Goddess of Death

Uncanny X-Men #16 provided a satisfying ending to the secret history storyline, with Gail Simone carefully balancing action with some rather excellent character work. The fact that all four of the X-kids (not just Deathdream) are potential avatars of death, was a clever twist that was both rooted in the story that Simone has written (this isn’t a cheater’s twist. The hints were there. This series both merits and rewards re-reading) and also a deeply unsettling way of seeding future storylines.

The fact that Calico can resurrect the dead (and give them powers) while Jitter is actually borrowing the talents of the dead adds a creepy layer of fascination to their bond. It’ll be interesting to see if Jitter can recall memories and personalities as well as powers, or if Calico can revive creatures other than her horse.

Some of the adults also had moments. Logan has a history with Henrietta. It would be easier to compile a list of the people in the Marvel universe whom he hasn’t banged. It would be very short. Jubilee also had a moment of connection with the big bad over the fact that she is also missing her son. It would be nice if, in a future story, Simone would find a way to bring Shogo back into the proper Marvel world. Nightcrawler said two words, and functioned as a taxi and plot device rather than a person, and that was annoying, but every other character had at least a few panels to shine, so the cast was more balanced than it has been.

David Marquez’s art was, as ever, nothing short of phenomenal. His line-work is fluid, vibrant, but never short on details — it was perfectly suited to the atmosphere of the story he and Simone are telling.

This was a satisfying conclusion to the Dark Artery storyline.