X-Men

Uncanny, Legacy.. etcetera, etcetera..

I am loving Nation X....Realy like to see Scott in charge and completely owning it....I know they did genosha for mutants and that was there own country but that was ran by magneto, I like seeing how the X-men will run a nation of mutants and how Nation X will fit into the international marvel scene.


One question: after The list issue on the x-men, it shows them bringing back Namors people to sf bay. are they now part of nation X? one whole nation(especially since namor is an x-men now) or 2 nations that are allies? probably the second but if it was the first then nation X would be a major powerhouse as a nation.

I think that Namor is more staying around for a learning experience. I don't think he will soon forget the actions of the X-men in their effort to help save his people, but I would have to say that they are temporarily allies with the King of a displaced/dispersed people. The Atlanteans don't have a home and they are spread throught the oceans and seas, They are like the palestinians they are a nation without a home.

Really I read all the books this week and Necrosha is beyond impresive. I couldn't stop turning pages.

This thread is probably more appropriate for books like Second Coming and Necrosha, but I don't know where else to put this considering AOA is canceled.

X-Men vs. Agents of Atlas #2

Jeff Parker is making a good name for himself and won't allow the "gods in the office" keep him from telling HIS story. HIS story involves the Agents of Atlas, and no matter where he goes, his story goes. And credit Marvel for pushing this oddball group to the forefront of Marvel despite low sales and a canceled ongoing. They at least liked it enough to have them star in another mini after this "AOA vs. Avengers" and a backup spot in Incredible Hercules.

As for the story, it ends up where you think, but with some interesting ideas, reasonable circumstances, more exciting action, and a surprise continuation into a major eventline also released this week (Assault On New Olympus, so read this one first, okay?). Parker has a great handle on even the X-Men characters, so it'd be a hoot to see him take a wack at the Uncanny after his Thunderbolts run. Did I mention that one will feature the Agents too? Oh, and there's a Marvel Boy mini coming too? Marvel has a lot of faith in Jeff Parker and maybe you should too.

3.5/5 Bags&Boards - Worth Buying

Wasn't sure if this book fit in any categories, but I think this issue was so good it deserves it's own.

Dark X-Men #1

Any sign of the word "Dark" in the title at this point is bound to have many of you scared. But the words Paul Cornell & Leonard Kirk shouldn't, especially if you were on board for their amazing Captain Britain & MI13 run (where's the Blade & Union Jack book, fellas?). If not (and shame on you, but you're not the only one), their stellar storytelling in terms of quirky character dialogue and expression--in both pen and pencil--should have Dark Avengers and Uncanny X-Men fans clinging to this series.

So, perhaps having Mystique and Osborn as the only "name" characters here isn't enough for you. The best part, it seems, is watching them scold and simply put-up with the insanity of Omega, the all-too sinister genius of Dark Beast, and depressive-to-the-extreme Mimic. Hell, if I had ridiculously cheesy wings attached to my back and my mantra wasn't Arch-Angel, I'd be pretty sad too.

The Dark X-Men are a highly unstable and unintentially humurous group whose goal isn't all too unfamiliar with Dark Avengers fans, but should post a must-buy with the backing of a great creative team led by the mastery of Cornell.

(My only problem with this particular issue is Marvel's poor submission of the last page in their solicits; it's an issue that led me to detract the score in the current Blackest Night book as well. I love solicits in terms of choosing which books to have held for me in upcoming months. But I don't need them spoiled for me in order to do so, and I don't think other fans need to either.)

3.5/5 Bags&Boards - Go Get It

I skipped it. I can't get sucked into another book.

Dark X-Men #1

This was a lot better then I expected, especially cuz Mystique decided to take the form of my favorite, Jeannie. And I always find the evil genius Dark Beast entertaining. Plus, the last page is pretty crazy. When I first heard that X-Man would be returning in this book I was like ...but with Dark Beast from the AoA-verse and Mystique pretending to be his mom Jean, it makes a lot of sense. But I wonder if Nate Grey will play a role in the overall X-verse now that he's back or if he will go back into limbo after this series.

I think we should all pay attention to the title of this arc. The goblin being refered too could just as easily be Madelyn Pryor as Normy. I look at it as well with Maddie being Nates mom and all, and the whole she tried to manipulate him for most of his time in 616 continuity.

I'm excited to see Nate Grey back, I always new he would be back from the moment he dissassociated himself to save the planet. Which is why I also see Mr. M coming back someday. I also love how Dark Beast voiced how X-man being back was not a good thing.

The issue was hillarious as well I can't wait to see what Omega's collateral damage count gets up to by the end of this mini.

Pretty fun read that just plain exceeded my expectations, great character work in establishing the base for this team, Mystique and Dark Beast being the voices of reason amuses me to all else, but considering who they've got with them it's not really a surprise.

The "Surprise" ending was pretty well done, I've been dying for Nate to come back for the last several years, and as Dark Beast comments, "This can't be good..."

The fun mix of humor and action was really well done, neither was over done, so you take what's happening seriously and understand that there's something big happening, I really hope Nate sticks outside of this mini, all the while getting a chuckle out of seeing Weapon Omega's path of destruction escalate, "Sorry!"

I'd call this a well above average read that has me interested to see where this is going and if it will have a larger impact on the MU in general as the return of a character of Nate's status should. Essentially, if you find any of the characters interesting in the least it's a must read, if you enjoy Cornell and Kirk's work, you'll love this, if you want something that's just plain well done, I'd recommend this, if you're tired of all of the "Dark" books, this probably isn't your bag of tea.

I am kinda interested to see a Nate Grey/Sentry fight now. Nate is like the ultimate Omega level mutant with unbelevable power.

Hey Toomer, do you think combining the Uncanny X-Men and X-Men threads makes more sense? The other Uncanny thread you have has hardly anything in it.

Uncanny X-Men #517

This might just be the issue where Uncanny X-Men fans enjoy this one across the board. While Greg Land is nearly as loathed as Rob Liddell, you can't help but admit he's at least TRYING to answer his detractors. Yes, the smiley porn-coddled faces are still there, the bent knee-leaping thrust attack remains, but the storytelling in this nothing-but-action issue is solid.

With no excuses, it's not easy to display angles of attack from 20-semod characters all the while keeping these heroes in line with their personalities. Land and Fraction at least improve in these areas. The shoddy dialogue, while still not as comforably natural as Whedon or as enjoyably strange as Morrison, at least shouldn't piss most fans off. One-liners from Northstar and Storm should bring a smile.

Rogue shines in a book where every X-Men gets a piece of the action. She "borrows" the powers with the help of some lesser known mutants to absolutely obliviate a Predator X. We know these creatures aren't the be-all, end-all of X-enemies out there. It's just that this type of comradarie was much needed before moving onto the real deal.

3.5/5 Cyclops Rays - Highly satisfactory

LOOSECANNON wrote:
Uncanny X-Men #517

This might just be the issue where Uncanny X-Men fans enjoy this one across the board. While Greg Land is nearly as loathed as Rob Liefeld, you can't help but admit he's at least TRYING to answer his detractors. Yes, the smiley porn-coddled faces are still there, the bent knee-leaping thrust attack remains, but the storytelling in this nothing-but-action issue is solid.

3.5/5 Cyclops Rays - Highly satisfactory

Fixed Liefeld's name.

We agreed on this one for the most part, and came to the exact same rating. Still, Fraction's capable of better and Land... Land just shouldn't be paid to do this.

Check out my take:

http://panelsonpages.com/?p=15470

haha funny ass review..u hated it and gave it a good score, but excellent analysis...despite liking this book more times than not, I'd like to see a change as well as any.

Yeah, it's... like I said... it really wasn't a bad book. The parts I pointed out were REALLY the only parts I hated. But, those parts were like slamming on the brakes during a nice ride through the country. The ride was still nice, but a few parts were really uncomfortable.

I completely agree with your review of Uncanny X-Men #517 Kerouac. Everything you said was spot on. The "freakin' Magneto" line was the worst for me.

I know everybody used to wish Cyclops was a Skrull because of how different he'd become. I'm hoping in this issue, it's Nico in disguise or something.

I like the more aggresive Cyclops. The dialogue needs work but Cyclops has been through so much crap it's a good progression to see him develop into a more aggresive leader. Better than the annoying pussy he was.

I agree, Rath99. I'm starting to like Cyclops for the first time in... well, ever. I think it's an interesting character arc for him.

Rath99 wrote:I like the more aggresive Cyclops. The dialogue needs work but Cyclops has been through so much crap it's a good progression to see him develop into a more aggresive leader. Better than the annoying pussy he was.

I do like the changes in Cyclops (which I attribute to Joss Whedon), but the stupid dialogue is a real problem. Fraction seems to have a real problem with dialogue, at least in this book.

I have stuck with this book for way way too long I think. But I cant get rid of it. 517 was a good story but I feel like the dialogue was forced. Cyc is getting to be a good leader, and I have to say I like the "prof x is a big ass" or w/e they are trying to do with him. But is Jean Grey coming back? They drop hints everywhere..... maybe I am just crazy

Dark X-Men #2

One of the year's surprises, for sure. But it's miniseries like this that often get overlooked. Whether it's fans not completely sold on the characters (LCS vendors will always recommend buying "writers," not "characters"), or just adding another $4 book to the punch list, it's little shockers like Dark X-Men that make the world of Marvel so interesting. Sure you can only read so many variations of Amazing Spidey or Hulk or even Uncanny; how many times can the most oddball of conflicted heroe/villains be so a joy to read? I never would ever think I'd buy a book with the cast of Omega, Mimic and Nate Grey. I mean, really, what the hell? Give it up to Cornell and Kirk to give us a fun little series that, like Secret Warriors, gives us something uniquely interesting in the fallout of Dark Reign.

3.5/5 Bags&Boards - Lots of fun watching these characters fight together and each other, with Norman as the lead

Nation X #1

I liked this, a bunch of somewhat lighthearted stories about life on Utopia Island. The road trip story with Logan and Kurt was hilarious, its cool to know that Paul Bunyan was actually a mutant lol. And I especially liked the Iceman story cuz he doesn't get nearly enough face time. The part where he induces instant hypothermia on a bunch of baddies was awesome...I know Wade would enjoy that.

Nation X #1

Was actually pretty awesome. I loved all the mini stories that help flesh out the characters a little bit. This was all solid character development in this mini.

My absolute favorite was the art by Mike Allred in the wolvie and nightcrawler story. Man I miss him doing X-statix. Always wondered what another X-book would look like drawn by him. It just feels wholesome and fun all at the same time.

Dark X-Men #3

Either I'm the only one buying this or no one dares speak up about this other excellent mini by Paul Cornell. If the former Captain Britain scribe does nothing else in his career but write comic mini series like Dark X-Men and Black Widow, I'll be happy. Dark X-Men #3 has this odd quartet deal with not only X-Man but Norman's "more reliable" followers the Dark Avengers. The interactions and squabbles between all parties is priceless, especially nomadic war god Ares giving no ear to Norman and attempting the impossible anyway. Sure, he's a god; but the master of confusion, Nate Grey, remains one step up...and you'll be shocked to see how.

Perhaps the most important section of the book deals with team leader Mystique and Norman Osborne. Seeing Mystique's rebellion match wits with Norman's cunning persona is great. There doesn't appear to be a character Cornell can't have a handle on. His usual partner-in-crime Leonard Kirk does a bang up job drawing all the folks involved too. The pacing is there, as the mainly "action flick" read quickly but not without substance. This time, the Dark Avengers weren't used as a mere cameo but a strong push of the plot. Glad to see a tweener issue the mini's best.

4/5 Bags&Boards - Something good came out of Utopia: a decent Uncanny and an even better Dark.

I actually get confused on where to post things for Dark X-men, I posted my last nation X review in the uncanny thread as well. Because Nation X is primarily and Uncanny story, or because I wasn't paying attention.

I thought that Dark X-men #3 was great. I really liked Nate's interaction with Sentry as well.... "you remember me?" I wonder if it was true or if Nate was making it up to baffle Sentry, probably the later. But Nate Grey is a solid character and I'm glad to have him back and the twist at the end was great.

The script was awesome, but there was one thing that bothered me. Cornell's intro bubbles are worse than Fraction's. They didn't even attempt to make sense, and actually detracted from the reading. Fraction stopped using them, so please for the love of thor lets stop trying too hard to be Joss Whedon people.... Like the Gennie in Alladin would say... "Beeeee yourself"