REVIEW: ‘Uncanny X-Men’ Issue 38

Uncanny X-Men Issue 38 is published by Marvel Comics. Written by Gail Simone, art by Luciano Vecchio, colors by Matthew Wilson and letters by Clayton Cowles.

As one school is torn down, another one is in its beginning stages in Uncanny X-Men Issue 38. This issue is another transitional comic, yet every single chapter within this series is brimming with emotion. Sarah Gaunt, also known as the Hag, is building her own version of Xavier’s school, using blood and violence to get her way. The story of Uncanny X-Men is split into two parallel stories. One is the formation of Gaunt’s school and house, similar in its foundations to what Rogue and Gambit have built at Haven House.

The other takes place in Graymalkin Prison, which was built out of Xavier’s Mansion. The Feds are reluctant to tear everything down, so Dazzler summons the help of Rogue and Monet to tear the prison aspects down. There’s a brilliant feeling of catharsis in this, considering all the mysteries, misery, and monsters the prison has been housing.

The pacing is odd but enticing here in Uncanny X-Men Issue 38. There’s action in both sets of stories, but the one in Graymalkin feels more like a rage room than an actual combative fight. The story at The Hag’s home gets more intense as it progresses, with a mutant drawn into the trap like a fly into a spider’s nest. The fight is a vicious scrap for survival as it becomes clear that there is murderous intent, with such a surprising and captivating ending.

The characters within Uncanny X-Men Issue 38 represent a slight shift, exposing the world that Simone is building. Sarah and her new family are the focal point, with the events at Graymalkin serving as the B side. We got glimpses of the new mutants in the previous chapter, but this issue fleshes them out in more detail.

And it is amazing just how much depth and personality Simone gives to these new characters so quickly. Each one has not just powers, but a single word balloon gives enough exposition for us to know so much and instantly care.

There are moments of generosity within Sarah’s personality, but it’s not like she has much empathy towards the youngsters she has taken in. They are means to an end, weapons to be used. When she talks, it is often about her, her plans, and her hatred of Charles Xavier, a man many of her charges know nothing about.

As for the trio of women that descend on Graymalkin, Simone showcases both power and vulnerability. Dazzler is often presented as a light-hearted, luminescent figure, a star with a charming personality. But in Uncanny X-Men, she turns scary and authoritative.

The existence of the prison, what was done in there, and what it was built into is so offensive to them that the mutants just aren’t allowing the humans to decide what happens to it. Rogue and Monet are tearing the place apart with their bare hands, and yet talking about the damage done.

The art is glorious inside the pages of Uncanny X-Men Issue 38. Sarah’s fireside chat with her new wards beautifully echoes the X-Men’s first encounter with the Outliers. The mutants are young, wild-eyed and traumatized. They’ve been tortured, experimented on and changed. All of them have Wolverine’s bone claws protruding painfully from their hands. They all look cool, but there is a sadness in their design too.

The house is another gorgeously crafted Louisiana building, stunningly presented by Vecchio, about to be corrupted by the horror of the Hag. Another place that has been corrupted is Graymalkin. The devastation that Rogue, Dazzler and Monet unleash is entirely committed upon technology, and more than that, it’s oppressive and militaristic infrastructure, something the school was never supposed to represent.

What’s inside is haunting and harrowing because it desecrates such hallowed ground. That battle features some really tough cookies and malleable metal, whilst the other house features much more blood and savagery. The final image is breathtaking in its brazenness.

The colors are superb. The use of the bonfire within this series has often been used to represent safety. However, in Uncanny X-Men Issue 38, it has a more melancholy feel because of the monster that has breached the bonfire. The lettering is very easy to read.

Uncanny X-Men Issue 38 features building, destruction and rebuilding. The forceful dismantling of Graymalkin and what happens to a particular character marks a significant end of an era for Simone. It demonstrates a desire to progress and move forward and a bravery to deliver the unexpected. It is easy to find comfort within this series because of the warmth it generates.

But Uncanny X-Men Issue 38 is an example of how that warmth can be used in the wrong way. The Hag’s House is a disturbing mirror version of Haven House, and is a glorious example of the malintent the Outliers could have found themselves in had they not found the right home.

Uncanny X-Men Issue 38 is available where comics are sold.