Uncanny X-Men #509 – Review

By Matt Fraction (Writer), Greg Land (Pencils), Jay Leisten (Inks), and Justin Ponsor (Colors)

Some Thoughts Before The Review: Uncanny X-Men frustrates me. Read my review of Uncanny #508 for an explanation of why that is. The series is very close to being good (or even great), but a number of kinks must be worked out before it can make the jump.

The Story: The mutant community gets quite a jolt when news of Proposition X, legislation that would make chemical mutant birth control mandatory, hits the airwaves. Meanwhile, Beast’s X-Club learns that the key to solving the mutant birth problem may actually lie within one of the science team’s members. As for the Sisterhood? Madelyn Pryor’s plan gets revealed a bit more as they begin to take the fight to the X-Men.

What’s Good: While many of the usual flaws of the series still pop up, Uncanny X-Men #509 is definitely an improvement over the last issue. Especially in regards to the pacing of the various plots. What that means for the reader is that the storylines finally progress enough to feel somewhat satisfying and are also left dangling at logical, suspenseful moments. I still wish the plot segments weren’t so broken up, but I’ll take whatever improvements I can get.

Matt Fraction continues to do an extremely good job of using his large cast to explore big ideas. From Proposition X and the Sisterhood’s goals, to the X-Club’s mission, Fraction fuses plot and personality in a way that makes Uncanny #509 fun to read even when it falters or frustrates. Heck, even the artwork contributes to the feeling at times (turns out Colossus fits right in with the Oakland Raiders faithful), though I can’t help but wonder where Greg Land gets his source material from, because some of it cannot possibly be safe for work (Emma Frost in bondage restraints is just one of the questionable images).

What’s Not So Good: Even though the latest issue of Uncanny is an improvement, it still disappoints from time to time. The biggest reason for that is because the headlining Sisterhood story arc is proving to be a bit vague with the details and at times, too reliant on knowledge of X-continuity. Also, the artwork remains firmly inside the “love it or hate it” category. And as for the writing, Fraction can rightfully be accused of trying too hard to be hip or clever with some of the dialogue choices.

Conclusion: Uncanny X-Men #509 is a step in the right direction in almost every way. The flaws still prove to be distracting, but the good manages to outweigh the bad for once.

Grade: C+

-Kyle Posluszny

Uncanny X-Men #508 – Review

By Matt Fraction (Writer), Greg Land (Pencils), Jay Leisten (Inks), and Justin Ponsor (Colors)

Some Thoughts Before The Review: It seems like nearly every month I wonder why I continue to purchase Uncanny X-Men. It’s as if I face the same irritations every time I read an issue. The story threads are too chopped up, the artwork is in a divisive style, and the arcs as a whole feel somewhat scattershot. While I don’t find the series to be bad or anything, I’ll be the first to admit that there are better comics I could be spending my money on.

The Story: Madelyn Pryor, Cyclops’ former lover, is back and looking to make good use of a captured “X” character. With the help of Spiral, Chimera, and Lady Deathstrike, she raids a cemetery to get just the body she needs. Meanwhile, Beast introduces the final member of his science team and lays out the current situation of mutantkind. Also, Wolverine does some recruiting and Emma attempts to teach the recently rescued Russian women.

What’s Good: You have to give Matt Fraction credit for being able to successfully cram so much of the “X” universe into one issue without too much confusion. He makes good use of the powers, personalities, and storylines that make up the mutant ‘verse and the series is all the better for it. Even those unfamiliar with the characters (or confused by Greg Land’s artwork) will feel sufficiently in the loop thanks to Fraction’s clever (occasionally annoying) information boxes. I mention that because Uncannny X-Men #508 is definitely juggling a whole hell of a lot at once….

What’s Not So Good: …And, unfortunately, the entire issue suffers because of it. Quite frankly, the whole thing is just incredibly frustrating to read and look at. That said, in truth, I like the storylines in play for the most part. What I don’t like is the way they are being chopped up into tiny little pieces that rarely feel satisfying. While the latest Uncanny moves plot threads forward more successfully than some of the previous issues, every one of them still feels incredibly stunted when left dangling for next month. In other words, from a story perspective I was left wanting more, but more because things felt incomplete and unsatisfying as opposed to them being genuinely compelling. Allow me to share an example…

During one scene, Wolverine learns of something over the phone and reacts by yelling out and unsheathing his claws. The next time we see Wolvie, he’s totally cool with everything and busy doing some recruiting for the team. Now what bothers me is that there was absolutely zero explanation about (or even mention of) his outburst at any other time in the issue. While it’s easy to draw a conclusion to what caused his reaction, there is no reason given in the book for why the reaction was warranted. I presume it is being left for next month, but for the time being I have to react with a big old “WTF?”

Want to know something else that is not so good? The artwork. While I think Uncanny is one of the better fits for Greg Land’s style considering how “talky” it can be, it would be nice to see the work manage to keep things consistent or appropriately detailed for more than a few pages at a time. The inks and colors do little to help matters either, as I think they definitely contribute to the consistency and detailing problems.

Conclusion: Uncanny X-Men #508 scores points for personality and effort, but ultimately winds up being far more frustrating than fun.

Grade: C-

-Kyle Posluszny

Transhuman #4 – Review

By Jonathan Hickman (Writer) and J.M. Ringuet (Artist)

Some Thoughts Before The Review: I was unable to get reviews up for the first three chapters of Transhuman, but let it be known that I have loved the series so far. It tells the story of two companies competing against each other to be the first to bring human modification/evolution to the mass consumer market. One company, Chimera, focused on advancement and alteration through genetic or biological tinkering. The other, Humonics, focused on a more technological approach by using robotics and machinery to modify potential human. Presented as a “mockumentary,” Transhuman has proven to be disturbing, hilarious, and extremely compelling up to this point. I strongly urge all my readers to check it out. Now onto my review of the final chapter.

The Story: Transhuman #4 focuses on the current state of the world, ten years after the takeover of Chimera by Humonics. The unnamed narrator catches up with all the major players that were a part of the transhumanist movement as driven by Chimera and Humonics.

What’s Good: Jonathan Hickman deftly mixes biting humor with an intelligent, disturbing vision of the future to bring his mockumentary to a satisfying finish. Nervous laughter is almost guaranteed upon discovering the identity of the narrator and what mankind’s search for utopia on earth has lead to. And that, readers, is a sure sign that Transhuman is a success.

What’s Not So Good: Though far from a story driven by the artwork, J.M. Ringuet’s visuals never really rise above being average. Even the most impressive scenes look sloppy, muddy, and somewhat unpolished.

Conclusion: Transhuman #4 is a great conclusion to an incredibly entertaining mini-series. Definitely take some time to track it down.

Grade: B+

-Kyle Posluszny