Uncanny X-Men #514 (Utopia) – Review

By Matt Fraction (Writer), Terry Dodson (Pencils), Rachel Dodson (Inks), and Justin Ponsor (Colors)

Some Thoughts Before The Review: Utopia has been pretty weak so far. While it hasn’t been awful, it certainly feels like it’s getting in the way of better things. Dark Avengers was on a roll prior to Utopia, and Uncanny X-Men finally seemed like it was getting back on the right track.

The Story: The Dark X-Men deal with Simon Trask’s new bio-mechanical Sentinels while Cyclops begins to put his offensive plan into action.

What’s Good & What’s Not So Good: This may sound a bit strange, but the biggest problem with Uncanny X-Men #514 is the big Utopia banner that’s plastered on the cover. It’s an unfortunate piece of baggage for a comic that’s, at a basic level, pretty fun (albeit somewhat average). The action scenes are cool, the artwork is solid, and the writing is pretty sharp. While that’s all well and good, I expect more out of an issue of a crossover. A lot more. Especially when it’s an issue of a crossover that’s been as heavily hyped as Utopia.

See, the thing is, the latest chapter of Utopia makes something painfully obvious: that there was really no need for the crossover in the first place. Why? Because Utopia is an “X” story through and through. When the mutants are taking front and center, everything just works much better. It is great? No. But, with that said, it’s still pretty decent. As for the Dark Avengers? They are really just taking up space, getting in the way, and, unfortunately, helping to sell books.

Had Uncanny #514 been part of a regular “X” arc (because that’s how it reads), I would have less of a problem with it. Sure, I might have complained about how all of Terry Dodson’s females have the same face, brought up the storytelling issues (which I’ll get to), or mentioned that some of Cyclops’ dramatic lines are a bit lame, but as a whole, I would have been satisfied with what it delivers knowing that Utopia is the “X” story being told. Unfortunately though, the latest issue of Uncanny is not just a regular issue. It’s stuck being part of an ill-timed crossover between the Dark Avengers and the X-Men. Therefore, it has to be judged as part of something that’s, according to Marvel, something of high quality and importance. So judge I shall… By asking a few questions about Uncanny X-Men #514…

-Why is there no mention of Beast and Xavier (I thought they were important), yet pages (3) dedicated to a pointless scuffle between Bullseye and Wolverine’s kid?!

-Those people in the hospital completely turned to robots after their eyes lit up?! I can handle comic book logic but it seems a bit silly to me…

-Why is Iceman so intimidated by the Dark X-Men!? And by that same token, why does Cyclops see them as such a challenge?!

-According to the back page, there’s only two chapters of Utopia left. Why do I get the sense that things are being rushed along?!

-Why does Wolverine emerge from the water like he’s some sea creature?!

-Did anything of importance happen in regards to Utopia? At all?

Conclusion: Uncanny X-Men #514 is a pretty decent “X” comic if you can ignore the whole Utopia nonsense. I certainly wish I could…

Grade: C-

-Kyle Posluszny