REVIEW: ‘Uncanny X-Men’ Issue 17

Uncanny X-Men Issue 17 is published by Marvel Comics, written by Gail Simone, with art by Luciano Vecchio, colors by Rachelle Rosenberg, and letters by Clayton Cowles.

A new slasher movie is released, featuring a mutant as the villain, which portrays mutants as monsters. But the star may be more real than the X-Men think.

Uncanny X-Men Issue 17 follows on from the Hellfire Vigil, initially flicking through the various groups of X-Men before shrinking down to the family at Haven House. That’s a terrific feeling to this plot, introducing something new while continuing so many stories. At the forefront of everybody’s mind is the Mutina movie, with a mutant at the heart of it. The structure is fascinating at first in Uncanny X-Men Issue 17. There is a lot of build-up to the movie, with the young Outliers even going to see it.

The opening scene then left me to believe for a second that the rest of the comic would be the movie. Instead, it’s the reaction and the ramifications of the movie. After the dragons, ancient gods, and Wolfpack Sentinels, the kids must return to school, but it’s difficult due to the effects the movie has had on those around them. And that’s not even the rest of the issue, as Jitter and Calico have a run-in with the real Mutina.

Uncanny X-Men Issue 17 is constantly refreshing and moving forward, but it still feels encased within the same plot. It’s engrossing to see what comes next. The fight is intense and dangerous, stripping the two ladies of almost everything they could use to level the playing field against a formidable villain.

The focus of the series shifts to another member of the group, one who is among the most nervous and delicate. Jitter becomes the narrator for half of Uncanny X-Men Issue 17, once the premise is explained. This results in a shift in the tone and voice of the captions. The relationship between Calico and Jitter is so stunningly written by Simone. It’s sweet and gentle, building with an intensity that is warm and endearing. They spend time together, protect one another, and stay close.

The pet name of Ballerina that Jitter gives to Calico is beautiful. The changes in their resolve are fantastic. They can both be nervous and frightened, but they’ll be brave when they need to save each other. The dialogue is so sincere when they talk about their love. When Calico sleeps at the end of Jitter’s bed because it’s the only place she feels safe, it almost made me cry.

Like the issue that came before, Uncanny X-Men Issue 17 features the other X-Men, never sidelining them. It makes the book lively while still giving them all the chance to speak and showcase their incredible personalities. There’s a selection of cameos at the beginning, from across the X-Men and wider Marvel Universe, and even beyond. There are vox pops with heroes, celebrities, and other figures discussing Mutina and the impact the movie will have. It’s both funny and unexpected, with some surprising faces emerging.

The art in Uncanny X-Men Issue 17 is spectacular as Vecchio takes over. Both the domestic and mutant sides of the issue are sensational. There are some incredibly poignant and powerful moments, especially surrounding the blossoming relationship between Calico and Jitter. It’s the closeness between them that tugs at the heartstrings. It’s the little touches and looks that show just how much they rely on each other for reassurance and safety. Their powers also look terrific, with both ladies unable to show their abilities much in the Dark Artery arc.

Ember, Calico‘s horse, makes multiple appearances. When Calico activates her power, so much changes for both her and her staff. They get new outfits and armor, sometimes sprouting wings or getting dresses. It’s startling and enthralling every time. As for Jitter, her mutant power is very physical, and Vecchio channels that terrifically in the battle against Mutina.

For a minute, she gains the physical abilities of anyone on Earth. So she can suddenly move differently. Vecchio illustrated a change in grace and elegance in an immense battle against a fierce opponent in Uncanny X-Men Issue 17. Mutina is both terrifying and a little bit adorable. She has cat ears on the top of her hood, but also razor-sharp blades and a creepy mask, with a nifty power of her own.

The colors are phenomenal. There’s a magnificent contrast between the light and the dark. The pages can be vibrant and bright, using mesmerizing shades that are rarely seen in comics. Lime green when the Outliers are eating after watching the movie, and a mixture of orange and pink shining into Jitter’s bedroom. These are tones that enliven Uncanny X-Men Issue 17 and enhance its visual appeal.

But Mutina thrives in the shadows, with big blocks of black when she is present. Her black and red costume, with white hair, is bold and instantly memorable. The lettering is mostly easy to read, although the color of the background and the text for Jitter’s narration may be tricky for some. It’s a gradient, with a yellow background and orange text, which may be difficult to read.

Uncanny X-Men Issue 17 is filled with so much life around so much death. This issue is a small chapter of something much, much bigger, and yet there’s such a fulfilling single story inside it. Multiple storylines intersect like train tracks, highlighting the series’ integral role in the more expansive X-Men universe. But Simone will always find time to create a really lovely and in-depth comic about two nervous young ladies finding strength in each other. The dialogue in this series will always be achingly, impossibly beautiful, with art that is also gorgeous. It’s a book that always knows how to be both funny and loving, yet haunting and sorrowfully poignant.

Uncanny X-Men Issue 17 is available where comics are sold.