PICK OF THE WEEK Uncanny X-Men # 3 Review (Spoilers)

It's been a while since I read a comic book that promises action, delivers talk and yet still ends with that satisfying feeling. Uncanny X-Men # 3 proved that it's going to be one of those books that'll really hit the spot for some superhero 'politicking' and propaganda and some fan favorite moments. 

Given the great material Bendis has been churning out ever since he became 'THE WRITER' for the X-Books, it's hard not to think why he didn't do this before. However, you should also consider that it wouldn't probably be this good if the settings were different (i.e. there was no AVX to speak of).

Bendis demonstrates to us that you can pick up a comic book that subscribes to Marvel's ideals of printing crap with the Avengers on it and still make for some interesting stuff. The Cyclops that we're seeing is a completely different beast here and I'm pretty happy with it. It's also nice to know that Marvel is keen on following the established team over in Jonathan Hickman's Avengers book.

The thing about the writing for Uncanny X-Men # 3 is that while it looks preachy, it's actually not. I did a double take on the issue and you see it better. Cyclops spewing his stuff about inequality and about how The Avengers turning a blind eye to mutants has been terrific. 

It's actually decades now and this 'schtick' about the Avengers and their blindness towards the inhumane treatment in the 616 still works. Bravo to Bendis for that.

The humor is still present and I wanted to point out that moment when Cyclops calls for a time out in the midst of a stand off with the Avengers. Cool moment for Bendis. 

Chris Bachalo's art is stellar here. The paneling is all crazy and wonderful and exciting. A few glitches here and there on how stuff is drawn (and colored by the equally talent Tim Townsend) but all is forgivable since we're treated not only to a visual fiesta of seeing Scott's X-Men as well as Bachalo's version of the Avengers.

This issue also gives us some added information regarding Magneto and his supposed 'betrayal' which was actually a ruse to turn him into a double agent playing both sides.

It's pretty interesting to see Mags do this. He hasn't been played strongly ever since Fraction and Gillen left the book. Actually scratch that, Gillen tried to make Magneto pertinent to the X-atmosphere but it didn't quite end spectacularly, so I guess, its really just Matt Fraction on that end.

Props also to the entire team for (a) making Magik really fun to read and awesome in terms of superpowers (b) having Eva Bell show that on her own she can totally own the Avengers (c) putting this new iteration of the Uncanny X-Men in a situation where they have to make a return visit to Wolverine's school.

Also there's nothing classic like Cyclops telling off the Avengers...




Special thanks to Comicx Hub for the advance copy. Go get yours by visiting www.comicxhub.com.