REVIEW: ‘Uncanny X-Men’ Issue 30

Uncanny X-Men Issue 30 is published by Marvel Comics and written by Gail Simone, art by Rogê Antônio, colors by Matthew Wilson, and letters by Clayton Cowles.

As Graymalkin prison has a new woman in charge, the X-Men prepare for the school dance.

This issue is an intriguing structure with a brilliant premise at its heart. This is a comic series with young mutants at the heart of it, and with that comes a school dance. Uncanny X-Men Issue 30 places the dance at the end of the issue, with a lot of preparation and other stories to settle in at the start of a new arc. For one, the specter of Graymalkin Lane, a prison that contained many mutants, is now under new management.

After the previous administration’s family issues led to a complete overhaul, M takes over, with Quicksilver and Banshee helping her out. It changes the atmosphere within the building, though there is still a power struggle, given that the inmates are still inside. It’s not quite the same tension as before, but it’s a new kind of energy.

There is also a new enemy entering the series, this time from outer space. The horror that has always been prevalent in this series evolves into an extraterrestrial one. It’s still frightening and insidious, with some terrifying moments bookending the issue.

Whilst aliens, mobsters, and malicious mutants fill Uncanny X-Men Issue 30, romance is its true heart. This emanates through multiple characters and individual scenes. Simone makes each chapter of this series feel full. There are those embracing their new relationships, like Jitter, Calico, and Nightcrawler. The sadness that has occurred in this series has been powerful, but love is equally as strong. Ransom misses Temper, and even Deathdream gets a date.

The captions feature narrations from multiple characters, and each one is gorgeously written. When they talk about other people, there is incredible depth and detail. It can be either to describe their love for the other person or to add extra context to a fight scene, explaining just how much something hurts or the texture of how something feels. What also helps add unpredictability to these issues is the idea that anyone can just slither out of the shadows, trying to infiltrate this tight-knit family. But even the villains in Simone’s stories have depth and multiple sides.

The art in Uncanny X-Men Issue 30 sees Antônio trade a singular X-Men for a whole family of them. Antônio previously worked on the Cyclops series and now demonstrates a terrific ability to capture the Louisiana X-Men. The horror quality is immediately evident, with a gory and intriguing opening. The designs of the alien visitors are spectacular. They are tall and intimidating, with no facial features to determine any true emotions.

There are multiple fight scenes at the start of this new arc in Uncanny X-Men Issue 30, with a terrific variety in movement and location. Even with superpowers and aliens, there is a sense of physicality to the fighting.

Uncanny X-Men Issue 30 finds the time to be sensitive and emotional. The moments between lovers, as well as the older X-Men and their proteges, are spectacular. Small kisses and touches that are unique to each interaction, because each of these relationships has a different connection. Gambit is a surrogate father to Calico. Ransom considers Wolverine an uncle. Jubilee is an aunt or older sister of Deathdream. These are more impactful than the punches thrown.

The colors have been consistently brilliant throughout the series, as Wilson has been one of the mainstays among the creative team. An instant giveaway about this colorist is the stunning sky, which is often a mixture of orange and purple. The sky gets darker as the comic progresses, signaling the passage of time. The lettering is also consistently clear, easy to read, and bold when it needs to be.

Uncanny X-Men Issue 30 fuses love with horror. There are very few superhero comics that carry the emotional weight that Uncanny X-Men does. Simone fuses an attempt to allow the Outliers to live the lives of normal teenagers whilst implementing the choices that comes with being a member of the X-Men. The family element of the X-Men, which is sometimes understated in other books, is the primary purpose of this series.

Uncanny X-Men Issue 31 is available where comics are sold.