REVIEW: ‘Uncanny X-Men’ Issue 16

Uncanny X-Men Issue 16 is published by Marvel Comics. Written by Gail Simone, with art by David Marquez and Luciano Vecchio, colors by Matthew Wilson and letters by Clayton Cowles.

This is the final part of The Dark Artery arc. The X-Men must fight a god to save one of their own from becoming their successor. Uncanny X-Men Issue 16 holds a great deal of majesty and meaning. It really feels like the heroes are fighting something immense, something that transcends physicality.

Dread starts to set in as the potential of losing one of these new characters becomes more certain. The magical folk horror of Uncanny X-Men Issue 16 is reaching its most intense yet, with a new celestial being now wanting to claim Deathdream for her own. It’s haunting and huge, drawing fear and sorrow.

There are links to history and pain, evoking a time when mutants were hunted and mistreated in secret and shame. It adds a new mythos and afterlife to the world of mutantkind. However, the key to being a mutant is taking care of oneself, and that aspect is emphasized. The ending is beautifully touching with a sad streak, but pride becomes the overriding emotion. And in the final page, a dangerous weapon is placed in the heart of Haven House.

The dialogue and the characters are extraordinary in Uncanny X-Men Issue 16. Two major themes step through from both the younger mutants and their older mentor: defiance and sacrifice. At first, it looked like just Deathdream could be chosen to be the next Overlord of the Penumbra, the city of the dead. But any of the four are eligible. Many of them undergo incredible changes in this issue, channelling celestial beings with ancient voices.

Finally, it becomes clear what connects the quartet: death. But the defiance comes from the other X-Men. It doesn’t matter whether there’s an evil scientist or a vengeful god, the X-Men will go to war with them to protect their own. Simone’s script in these moments is utter perfection. The horror that the heroes experience and the existential revelations are haunting, but the hope that appears is just as spectacular.

The art is phenomenal. Uncanny X-Men Issue 16 has removed the safety net. All of the X-Men have amazing new costumes and impeccable designs, but Marquez does not. The costumes are gorgeously gothic. The men’s muscles are accentuated, and the ladies’ hairstyles are eye-catching. Where Rogue is usually known for her wild, big hairstyles, this version is sleek and controlled.

The fight sensationally escalates as the young characters experience explosions of power, revealing what they could potentially ascend into. One turns into the opposite of their usual guise, whilst another sinks into something very harrowing. The god, Shuvahrak, is largely hidden. It’s like a huge Rorschach test against the shadows, leaving us never quite sure what it looks like.

The colors are intriguing because the comic is so dark. Most of the book is in the Penumbra, a shadowy place with no light at all. But the colors come from the X-Men and their powers. The likes of Jubilee and Gambit generate vibrant energy, cutting through the shadows. And perhaps the darkest character of them all is the one that casts the most light. The lettering is fantastic and clear, except for the faux handwriting in Lady Henrietta’s captions. The cursive text is very difficult to make out.

Uncanny X-Men Issue 16 threatens to drag the heroes under. Simone highlights how much the young Outliers have grown and how far they’ve come. So many of them are willing to die and relinquish their freedom so the others may leave. But that is unacceptable for those who care for them.

This series has been grounded and built around home for so long, but Uncanny X-Men Issue 16 takes them far away and pits the team against a god. And they are more than capable. It’s a haunting comic that really connects to the journey the children have traveled their whole lives.

Uncanny X-Men Issue 16 is available where comics are sold.