REVIEW: ‘Uncanny X-Men’ Issue #3

Uncanny X-Men #3 is published by Marvel Comics. Written by Gail Simone, art by Dave Marquez, colors by Matthew Wilson and letters by Clayton Cowles. The older X-Men begin to train the new group of mutants, revealing their backstories.

After a considerable period of change, this issue settles down and starts to build the foundations for the new era. Settled in a location that can be considered safe for now, the key part of this issue is backstories. The new kids have shown what they can do, but this chapter delves into why. Simone frames it in a similar way that other X-Men books have before: a danger room session. But this is a whole new location and a whole new set of circumstances. The issue is fun and engaging, blending action into the exposition.

As the new guard settles in, some of the old guard take their leave. There are still connections between the two flagship titles, Uncanny X-Men and X-Men, but the individual issues carve out their path. This book has the attributes of a creepy horror comic, with monsters and terrifying themes. The scary side of the comic becomes so integral that it begins to threaten the most steadfast members of the X-Men.

Uncanny X-Men #3 heavily explores the new characters through their abilities their motivations to making their way to the X-Men. They get a page or two to reveal their histories as they enter the makeshift Danger Room. Each has been through their own version of hell but with entirely different pathways. They all talk in mysterious tones, detailing their personalities.

Early in the book, the narration comes from Rogue. The dialogue within this is gorgeous and achingly poetic whilst staying in Rogue’s voice the whole time. Rogue’s connection to the other X-Men members is beautiful. The X-Men are her family, and she treats each of them as such. And with each comes something unique, built after decades of trauma and love. The villain is insidious and horrifying, getting more terrifying with each page she features in.

The art is phenomenal. Beauty and horror mesh well under Marquez’s pen. It is what drives the book at its quietest moments, just gazing at how fantastic the characters look. Rogue and Wolverine look close to domesticated in the first pages, whilst the young kids struggle to start. The Danger Room is slapdash and rugged, made out of farm materials.

There is a huge training montage that allows the new members of the X-Men to demonstrate what they can do. It’s physical and riveting to learn more about the younger mutants, many of whom are completely new and lead to some remarkable designs within the fight scenes.

The most notable are Calico, who is never without her horse, Ember, and Deathdream, who is a little bundle of death. Against Nightcrawler, who always represents movement, the speed and spectacle are amazing. Whilst this is a training exercise, one of the X-Men finds themselves in a very real conflict. The monster of this story makes our skin crawl, with a face from hell and distended limbs, but this issue also shows how dangerous she is.

The colors are excellent. It’s an issue that travels to both extremes. It’s colourful, never trying to venture beyond unnatural tones. Wilson helps to capture the time of day, with the comic being slightly darker at the start of the issue because it is early morning, then lightning to show that it is later in the day. But when Deathdream exhibits even a fraction of his power, the page is infiltrated by pitch black. It is thick and smothering, like a cloud of soot. The lettering is fantastic, with a few clever features implemented as the characters establish themselves.

Uncanny X-Men #3 brings the newcomers into the fold. It’s an achingly beautiful issue that is both honest and haunting. The team is close to becoming the X-Men, but one that has been scraped together. Even the most resilient and experienced members are struggling mentally and now must turn four broken children into heroes. The infusion of horror in the comic is unsettling and unnerving. Simone is arguably writing the best work in her career, and the same can be said about Marquez, Wilson, and Cowles.

Uncanny X-Men #3 is available where comics are sold.