Uncanny X-Men #3 Review

I am a big fan of this series so far, and after last issue I was very excited to see what was going to happen between Cyclops and the Avengers. We did not get a big fight scene; which to be honest is something that I was not holding high hopes for anyway. However, what we did get was some great dialogue, along with an argument that Scott Summers actually came out on top of. Yes you heard that right. Maybe the man is not as crazy as we all first thought.

Bendis has been building up the fact that Scott Summers actually has a pretty good argument for some time now. However, in this issue it really came to the forefront. I found myself agreeing with a lot of what he was saying; which I am sure many other fans found themselves doing too. He came across as the good guy who is being completely misunderstood, not just by the world but also the Avengers as well.
Speaking of the Avengers, in this particular issue they were written to come across as complete assholes. Ok, maybe that is a little bit too strong, but they were totally single minded in their understanding of what Scott and his gangs intentions were. They also seemed more than happy to ignore true facts that Scott was bring up to them. I understand that Bendis wrote them this way intentionally in order to get Scott across in a certain way, so I did love the way that this worked. However,I am hoping that the Avengers don't continue to think in this way for a prolonged period of time. The members are not stupid, so I hope it doesn't get to a point where I feel like screaming at the pages at them.

Magneto also came forward in this issue to admit that he was the one who told the Avengers where to go to confront them. I am glad this came out here as it was quite obvious who it was. Leaving this unanswered for a few issues would have been the wrong move; so I happy with what I read here. However, something I was not expecting, was the fact that Magneto seems to be playing SHIELD. I was not expecting this at all, but it does make sense. Bendis really has pulled off something here, and I am looking forward to seeing how this is going to develop.

One of the new recruuits of Scotts team, Eva Bell, came to the forefront here too. It was nice to get a brief glimpse into her past, and I also enjoyed the scene in which she not just stuck up for her leader, but also helped in stopping a big battle from breaking out in front of her own home.
One of the things I did not like in this issue, which is unusual as I usually like the way Bendis does this, was the constant humour throughout. Normally I think that this is really well placed, but here I thought it all felt a little forced in places. As I say, it is something I am normally a fan of, so it is not something I am too concerned about.

This was another great issue in which Scott has come across in very well. I am very happy this has happened because I have not been the biggest fan of Marvel turning him into a complete baddie. The end of this issue also leads me to believe that may hear another big speech from him in the next issue; which is something I am also looking forward too.
This series continues to be great, and as I have mentioned earlier, this is a very exciting time to be a fan of the X-Men. If you didn't pick this title up because you were frustrated that it was being rebooted yet again; then I really advise you to have a change of heart. The character development, along with the foundations being set for the future of the team, are things that just can't be missed.

Rating: 8.1 / 10

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Uncanny X-Men #2 Review

After the first issue that did a nice job at setting up exactly what this series was going to be; I was very much looking forward to this instalment of the title. I was not let down either as Bendis continued to build the foundations of the story he is going to be telling. He is really fleshing out the characters here, especially the new ones who we are not aware of. So, if you guys ant to meet some new mutants, then I think this book is the place for you to be.

This issue, as mentioned, focused mainly on the new mutants being shown the new school in which they will be learning their trade. Although these children have names that are pretty forgettable for the time being, their own individual personalities came to the forefront in this issue.
Seeing as most of the issue focused on these new guys just talking to Cyclops and co, this issue really could have fallen flat on its face. Luckily for us Bendis had other ideas, and has really done a good job at helping us get to know these guys. Of course, we still do not know everything about them, which is just fine, but this issue has got me excited to read more about them for sure.

The start of this issue focused on Emma, and her getting used to the fact that her powers are nowhere near where they were. The conversation between her and Cyclops was interesting, and was something that really had to happen. I was getting quite confused at what point these two were at, and why Emma was even hanging around still. This issue has answered these questions, and also gone some way into explaining what kind of dynamic these two will have with each other.
The end of this issue nicely leads on to the next issue, and I for one can really not wait to see what will happen in the upcoming battle. I just hope that Bendis lets these guys duke it out, and doesn't just tease us. However, saying that, even if we do just get teased, I am sure Bendis will do it in a way that we will be desperate to pick up the next issue anyway.

All in all, this was a very good issue that is still laying down the foundations. Some people may not like the pace this series has, and I guess in some ways it may be best to read it as a trade, however I am loving the development of the story. I think it is always best to see these kind of things develop. Not only do I think it is more interesting that way, but you certainly get more value for money as the issues seem to be more wordy.
If you have been reading Bendis on All New X-Men, then jump on this too.

Rating: 7.8 / 10

Uncanny X-Men #1 Review

We have missed Uncanny X-Men a lot over the last three months, so it is great to see it back already. This time is back with a whole new attitude, as well as one of the greatest writers right now at the helm of it, Brian Michael Bendis. This series is going to follow Cyclops and his team and he attempts to build a mutant revolution. It is a very interesting concept, which this #1 does a great job at getting me interested in even more.

This issue focuses on someone who has turned themselves in to SHIELD with information on what exactly Cyclops is up to. This person is not named or shown until the end, and I can tell you now that the reveal is something that really shocked me. I did not have a clue throughout the issue who it could be, and I was certainly not expecting it to be who it ended up to be. What I also liked about the reveal was the dialogue that followed on the last page. This mystery person is focused on taking down Cyclops, and he has a personal interest in doing just that.

We also saw a flashback of events that happened in San Diego as Cyclops took another new mutant under his wing. In this scene we also got to see his two new recruits in action. They have come along way since they were first taken in by Scott, which is scary as it was not that long ago ( 4 days for one of them ).
I cant wait to see more new mutants, and I cant wait to see how they are going to react when they realise what Scott is really up to. They may even become totally brainwashed, which I think will be awesome to see. Scott Summers leading a group of die hard followers is something I would be very interested in seeing.

The art in this issue by Chris Bachalo was absolutely stunning in some places. The scenes involving SHIELD were immense. They were fantastic to view, and they really helped set up the epicness of what I am sure this series will become. Unfortunately, during the battle scene in San Diego the art did become a bit hit and miss. Yes, a fight with Sentinels is not going to be clean, I get that. However I did feel like some of the panels could have been more clear with what was going on in them. Apart from that, I believe that we have a great artist for this series, and I am very much looking forward to more of Bachalos' work in future issues.

This series has got off to a great start and I am very keen to read more. I am enjoying the place that Cyclops is in at the minute. He is not a complete bad guy, and is walking a really fine line between good and bad. I can't wait until his intentions become a bit clearer as this series progresses.
The next issue is advertised to show us Scott training his new recruits, which I am sure is going to be a blast to read. I would get involved in this series for sure. If you are an X-Men fan or a Bendis fan then I think that this will be for you.

Rating: 8.7 / 10

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All New X-Men #7 Review

This series has been absolutely fantastic up to now. Admittedly I jumped onto the bandwagon relatively late; but since I caught up with proceedings I have loved the ride it has taken us on so far. Bendis works his magic in this issue as he sets the foundations for future issues. In many titles and issue such as this one may be a little boring for the reader. However, in All New X-Men there is really no such thing as a boring issue.

This issue mainly focuses on young Cyclops and a conversation he is having with Mystique. He is unaware of who she actually is, which makes this conversation even more interesting, as throughout it she constantly puts thoughts into Cyclops head about destroying the X-Men set up at the school.
What makes this so awesome to view is the fact that it is so clear just how much Cyclops wants to put his trust into someone. He is so utterly confused about the situation that he has found himself in, and he is desperate for just a little bit of guidance. He thinks he has found it with Mystique, but unfortunately for him he is very very wrong.

There is a nice little character moment in here with Bobby and Kitty Pryde. I love Kitty so I am very happy to see her come into the forefront in a book such as this. She has so much to offer the Marvel universe and it seems that Bendis feels the same way that I do about her.
It is also going be pretty awesome to see what Mystique is going to be up to in the future. She is clearly laying the foundations for some sort of attack, but her motives are a bit unclear at the minute. It will also be interesting to see who exactly she is working with.

This is a pretty short review for this issue, but if you are reading it then you guys will be picking this one up anyway. It is not very new reader friendly as it seems to rely a bit on the reader knowing what exactly has gone on. Trust me though, pick up some of the back issues and you will not be disappointed in the slightest. If you want some fantastic story by Bendis, as well as some equally awesome  art by  David Marquez, then get involved in this series ASAP.

Rating: 8.25 / 10


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AvX Consequences #2

If you read my  review on the first issue of this series then you will know that I was not really expecting much from this issue. However, I have read it and I am actually pleasantly surprised with it. Most of the issue, save for a couple of pages, took place in one room, and what happened in this room really rocked.

 In this room were Cyclops and Wolverine. The tension was unbearable as Cyclops entered. He took a seat and waited for Logan to address him on why he came to see him. Logan was there to find out the location of Cyclops' extinction team, however that is not what he started the conversation with. He could not help but yell at Scott for carrying on down the path he had chosen with the Phoenix, not turning back once and reconsidering his options. What really surprised me though is that Scott still, yes still, believes he was right to do so. He stated that there would not be any new mutants without him, and that he will go down in history as saving mutantkind. After taunting Logan with the mention of Jean Grey, Scott nearly got killed by him. However, Wolverine saw that this is what he wanted so stopped immediately. After Cyclops attempted to make a deal to give the location of his extinction team Wolverine stormed out. The issues ends with Scott and another mutant inmate on the verge of being attacked by a group of their fellow prisoners.

This was a great issue. Very tense, and also hit the right notes emotionally. Who we saw in this issue were Scott and Logan, not Cyclops and Wolverine. That human element was played excellently. It also never felt like you were drowning in text when reading it either, which is difficult to achieve. However, what helped with that was the great art. It has definitely improved from the last issue in the series which I wasn't sure on at all. Wolverines' facial expressions were spot on and really helped tell the story without excessive amounts of text.

I am also starting to really like where Cyclops is going character wise. Yes, his ego is going more and more through the roof every issue, but I love it. He actually reminds me of CM Punk, the WWE wrestler, and his current character on TV. Very entertaining stuff. Logan was typically Logan in this issue, but was written superbly. He was flipping through all sorts of emotions throughout the issue, and you really felt what he was going through.

All in all I really enjoyed this issue. I have gone from not caring about this series at all, to really looking forward to the next issue. However, that can all change of course, but forget about that for the moment. This issue was terrific, and in this article that is all that matters.


Rating: 8 / 10