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This month, we continue our look at the May revamp of the
X-Books, by taking a look at the first two issues of Joe Caseys
Uncanny X-Men.
Joe Casey, we may recall, has worked on Cable for almost
two years, and most recently in the X-Titles rewrote the origin of
the original team of X-Men, shuffling events around so he could
tell the story he wanted to tell. Hes also been writing Wildcats
since Lobdell left that title.
Joining him doing the art is Ian Churchill, most well known
for a long stint on Cable, and some work for Rob Liefelds
Awesome Comics, until he decided he really didnt want to be
working for Robby anymore. Also, Tom Raney has been
tapped for a fill in artist, when Churchill or Quitely on New X-
Men, should the need arise. As well as Ethan Van Sciver, since
it looks like Raney will be doing some work on Ultimate X-
Men, and then a permanent run on Thor.
Quite the merry go round of X-Artists over the next few
months, it seems.
So hows the book? Well, that is an interesting question.
The writing is ok, the art is good, although I am an admitted
Churchill fan, even if I do consider him to be basically Rob
Liefeld with a bit of talent. Or Jim Lee on a bad day. But what
it really comes down to, is old concepts being rehashed for a
new audience, and not in a terribly interesting way.
There is nothing wrong with the book, dont misunderstand.
Its perfectly good reading. It just seems...empty? Just there?
Im not sure.
The first issue was completely nothing special. Of course, it
had only two members of Caseys cast, one in a role that lasted
only a page or two. This issue came out before Morrison's, and
I have a strong suspicion that Marvel wanted to push May as a
big relaunch month, and since Grant grabbed the book that
came out later in the month, Casey basically had to do a fill in
issue, putting the stories he wanted to tell off for a month.
Again, an ok issue, but nothing special.
The second issue (Uncanny 395 for those keeping score),
was an improvement, and Caseys characterization is spot on for
the characters, but again, the story just seems kind of flat. A
person cleansing the gene pool kills off a ton of really ugly
mutants living in underground tunnels? Isnt this a tad bit
familiar? Originality is hard to come by, sure, but a good writer
can take the most overused idea and breathe new life into it. It
isnt the idea, it is the execution. Especially these days. In this
issue, the first of a four-part storyline, the execution leaves
something to be desired.
However, once the entire story is out, everything could click
into place, it could make sense, and turn out as a good story, but
as a first part, this is definitely lacking. I still have hope for the X-
Titles, and there is some improvement, but we still have a ways
to go.
Next month, we continue to celebrate Marvel giving me lots
of new and revamped titles in one month to comment on, by
dragging it out as long as possible!
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