Uncanny X-Men #534.1

Title: Uncanny X-Men #534.1
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Writer(s): Kieron Gillen
Artist(s): Carlos Pacheco
Inker(s): Cam Smith, Dan Green & Nathan Lee
Colorist(s): Frank D’Armata
Letterer(s): VC’s Joe Caramagna
Cover Artist: Carlos Pacheco

Story/Concept: (7.5/10) This issue spotlights one of my favorite characters which is Magneto and gives you interesting insight into the character and where he stands right now. The concept of the issue feels like a day in the life type issue showing the bigger scale of the current plight of the X-Men trying to be accepted by mainstream America and the potential fallout that might come from having Magneto a active member of the team.

Writing: (8.5/10) The writing on this issue is solid and I was totally impressed by Kieron Gillen’s ability to juggle all the aspects that he did and pull a coherent story out of it. Sometimes because of all the continuity surrounding the X-Men I think it can limit or even handicap a writer going into it, but from this issue it seems Gillen has a firm handle on everything and where he wants to take it going forwarding. His characterization’s where spot on to me considering I haven’t read an X-men title in maybe 3 or 4 years but all the characters spoke and reacted like I remembered them. Which put me in a familiar comfort zone with this book and the X-men in general, so I think long as Kieron Gillen is on Uncanny X-Men I will be reading it.

Art: (8/10) Well when it comes to the artwork on this book I’m somewhat conflicted about how to properly review it. Carlos Pacheco has been one of my favorite artists for quite some time, but for some reason it doesn’t quite look like his style but I know that it is his artwork. It might be him tweaking his style and trying something different or maybe it is the inker and his line but it feels slightly off for him. Now that being said the art is great, I guess for me being such a huge fan of Pacheco I am maybe more sensitive to the slight change in art style but none the less still awesome. The real skill of Pacheco shins through in the story telling, pacing and framing of the action from page to page. The action truly feels epic and even has cinematic flair to it, so he is really clicking on all cylinders with Kieron making a good comic into a great one.

Cover: (7/10) Again going back to something I stated earlier in the review about the interior work the cover also displays a more epic/cinematic feel and I know for me this cover is what contributed most in me buying the book.

Overall: (8/10) All I can say if you haven’t read the Uncanny X-Men in quite sometime like myself this was a great jump on point and I look forward to see what this creative team has in store for the gifted mutants of Xavier.

Bottom Line: Good writing, artwork, and story telling worth picking up no questions asked.

Comic Book Savant