Uncanny X-Men Has Escaped the “From the Ashes” Curse

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Over the years, the X-Men have experienced many highs and lows. Initially, they were the least popular among Marvel’s Silver Age comics. However, their popularity soared over time, making them the bestselling comic of all. The 21st century has been a rollercoaster ride for the X-Men, with their successes and failures. The recent “From the Ashes” publishing initiative has been one of the most debated in the last quarter-century. The Krakoa Era brought about a significant change to the X-Men’s status quo, and “From the Ashes” is its opposite. This new status quo is a blend of the aftermaths of “Operation: Zero Tolerance” and “Avengers Vs. X-Men”, with hints of the Outback Era. While some fans appreciate the books, others don’t, but one book stands out as exceptional – Uncanny X-Men – that has managed to avoid the issues faced by the “From the Ashes” X-Men series.

The comic series ‘Uncanny X-Men,’ penned by Gail Simone with David Marquez as the main artist, and featuring additional artists like Javier Garron and Luciano Vecchio, has been nothing short of remarkable within the X-Men universe. This book has managed to encapsulate the essence that has kept X-Men fans captivated for decades, making it a standout title in the X-Men line. The artwork and storytelling are exceptional, and it’s successfully evaded the shadow of ‘From the Ashes’ X-Men to deliver a flawless X-Men comic experience.

Uncanny X-Men Shows Sometimes the Old Ways Are the Best

The X-Men gained popularity in the late ’70s primarily due to their well-developed characters, a crucial element in any exceptional comic book series. Writer Chris Claremont skillfully expanded these characters, which significantly enhanced their appeal. Claremont’s superhero saga was captivating and played a significant role in establishing the X-Men as legends. Gail Simone, a disciple of Claremont, continues this tradition. In “Uncanny X-Men,” there are numerous intriguing elements such as the enigma of Haven House, the prophecy of the Endling, and the relationship between Calico and Ember; however, it is the characters that truly bring the story to life. Simone expertly portrays the essence of Wolverine, Rogue, Gambit, Nightcrawler, and Jubilee, using them to shape the narrative’s events.

She’s responsible for developing four of the century’s top mutant creations – Ransom, Jitter, Calico (and her horse Ember), and Deathdream. By dedicating multiple issues to them as a distinct X-Men subgroup, she successfully integrates these new characters with the longstanding members. Simone masterfully weaves the new character into the old ones, keeping in mind an essential aspect about the X-Men often overlooked by creators – they are mentors. The book boasts two of the most compelling romantic pairs I’ve encountered in comics – the dynamic between Gambit and Rogue is flawless, while Jitter and Calico’s blossoming love story is heartwarming to witness. Although there’s a comic in the X-Men line called Exceptional X-Men that focuses on teaching new mutants their powers, I find that Uncanny X-Men handles this concept exceptionally well.

Simone is infusing this book with a trendy Outback-inspired ambiance that I can’t get enough of. The X-Men moving to New Orleans is an ingenious decision, and Simone is creating a unique Southern Gothic horror atmosphere that sets it apart from traditional X-Men stories. From the clash with Sarah Gaunt to the conclusion of “Dark Artery” and the appearance of Mutina, Simone is venturing into fresh territories with the X-Men that other writers aren’t currently exploring. So far, “From the Ashes” has been lacking in originality, but each issue, Simone manages to add something new while working within the restrictive framework of “From the Ashes”.

In a shift of focus from discussion about the writing, let’s delve into the art. Marvel boasts an impressive roster of artistic talent on X-Men comics, but Marquez stands out as a frontrunner. His linework is captivating, and he breathes sex appeal into Uncanny X-Men, even with most characters keeping their clothes on. The precision in his detail is unmatched – take a look at his depiction of Sadurang the God Snake to witness one of the finest dragon illustrations you’ll ever see. His action sequences flow effortlessly, a skill not every artist possesses. His work on “Dark Artery” is exceptional, perfectly capturing the unsettling horror atmosphere and offering an unparalleled representation of Man-Thing. The backup artists are stars in their own right; following Marquez is no small feat, but they deliver outstanding performances. A significant factor behind this success is colorist Matthew Wilson, who ranks among the best color artists in comics (check out his work on The Wicked + The Divine). Combined with Clayton Cowles’s exceptional lettering, the result is a visually stunning book.

Uncanny X-Men Is the Best Marvel Team Book Bar None

Marvel as a whole isn’t thriving at the moment, but the X-Men series has been hit especially hard by misfortune. There seems to be a lack of originality, and it might be more fitting to rename “From the Ashes” as “From the Retreads.” Yet, Uncanny X-Men manages to rise above that. Simone’s writing style harks back to Claremont’s, reminding readers why they fell in love with the X-Men to begin with. Each time this book is replaced by one of the lackluster X-Men event stories from “From the Retreads” (two in the first year, with another due in a few months), it saddens me because I long to immerse myself more deeply in this book and its potential.

Initially, I was hesitant about Simone joining the Uncanny crew, but she’s undeniably earned her place to pen this iconic series. Many fans adore Ryan North’s Fantastic Four, but in my opinion, Uncanny X-Men surpasses it as a top-tier team comic book. This is precisely the kind of X-Men story we should have, and I hope Simone and Marquez continue their work on

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2025-07-22 01:12