It's been interesting to read the Uncanny X-Men over the past several months.Under writer Matt Fraction, there's been a move to bring the team back to its glory days, with a (somewhat) leaner cast, solid characterization, some unexpected plot twists and lots of big battles.
For the most part, he's been successful - the comic is a much better read than it's been in a long time, and a new reader probably wouldn't have much trouble picking up the general storyline - although he or she would probably struggle to keep all the villains straight. Long-time readers would probably struggle, too.
The bad guys this time around are all female - the Sisterhood of Evil Mutants, apparently. Thanks to a sneak attack on the X-Men, they have the advantage as they seek a very special prize.
The biggest controversy around this comic centers on the art of Greg Land. He draws in a realistic style, and his specialty is drawing beautiful women. With this story, he gets plenty of room to work his craft.
Yet for all its realism, the art feels stiff - we're getting a series of great-looking still shots, but comic art is all about storytelling - and that's what is in short supply.
For example, there are several panels showing Wolverine swinging into action - but we never get a sense of the actual fight. We see him posed to strike the enemy - and then the story cuts away to a different scene. When we return, he's again posed for the strike, and then we're gone again.
He's not the only artist to struggle with this problem. Perhaps he should do finishes over someone else's layouts?
At any rate, the comic continues its slow road to improvement, and big events are in the offing for next issue.
And just in time - we haven't had a good comic book resurrection in months!
Grade: B+
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