Review: Uncanny X-Men Volume 4 - Vs. S.H.I.E.L.D.

Following a heinous Sentinel strike, the war bubbling between Cyclops’ X-Men and S.H.I.E.L.D. reaches a fever pitch. Unwilling to sit idly by while more mutants are harmed, Cyclops takes the fight to the international spy organization apparently responsible for the Sentinels’ actions. Then, Dazzler is finally freed from captivity at Mystique’s hands. Angry and bitter over what she’s been through, she intends to get revenge on the shapeshifting femme fatale.

Uncanny X-Men Volume 4: Vs. S.H.I.E.L.D. collects Uncanny X-Men #19-24, written by Brian Michael Bendis and with art by Chris Bachalo and Kris Anka.

This collection is typical of Bendis’ ho-hum direction on the X-Men titles during the Marvel Now! initiative. It’s all build up with no pay-off. The X-Men’s conflict against S.H.I.E.L.D. had been simmering since the onset of this title and “Vs. S.H.I.E.L.D.” attempts to resolve that as a four issue arc. After a Sentinel attack, an incensed Cyclops determines to hold S.H.I.E.L.D. responsible for their actions. This leads to a blow out on the front lawn of the Jean Grey School and the discovery of who is truly pulling the strings. The climax is unimpressive and the reveal isn’t terribly shocking, so the arc feels somewhat deflated as a whole. As can be expected from Bendis, there’s a lot of dialogue and some great character moments (there’s a great scene telepathic exchange between Cyclops and Maria Hill, for example). The primary narrative itself just didn’t click for me. Personally, the more interesting story here involves Mystique’s usage of Dazzler as her personal mutant growth hormone factory, but this is relegated to subplot status and is only referenced cursorily in the aftermath.

The “Vs. S.H.I.E.L.D.” arc leads into the tie-in for Original Sin, which is framed as a two-parter named “The Last Will and Testament of Charles Xavier.” In it, She-Hulk obtains Xavier’s will and is responsible for reading it to those named in the contents. Cyclops is hauled back to the Jean Grey School, where several “shocking” revelations are made about Xavier’s past. The quotes are necessary as Bendis seems to be putting in overtime to really try and surprise readers with plot twists. The problem is the twists are unwanted in every possible way. I was rolling my eyes so hard I’m surprised I didn’t catch a glimpse into the back of my brain. Consider this a spoiler warning. The first big plot twist is that Professor Xavier is married to Mystique and so all of his property now belong to her. It’s a really unnecessary development that feels like it’s either a remnant of the Ultimate Universe or was inspired by the First Class trilogy. Either way, it feels out of place and is just plain messy. It’s bad enough that Bendis treats Mystique like she’s the only damn X-Men villain around. The other twist is that there’s this uber powerful mutant that Xavier has kept secret for decades and now the X-Men have to go find him before he destroys everything. It’s a revelation that left me with a feeling of a déjà vu since it seems like a re-packaging of Proteus and Jean Grey.

Uncanny X-Men Volume 4: Vs. S.H.I.E.L.D. doesn’t ever reach its full potential. It’s bogged down by far too much dialogue and exposition, as well as puzzling plot twists. The artwork done by superstars Chris Bachalo and Kris Anka gives the book a premium feel, elevating the quality above what we’re getting on the story front. Though the cast is likeable and the plot elements are interesting enough, Bendis seems to be spending most of his time setting up future plotlines and recycling old ones rather than creating a compelling arc with an explosive climax.

RATING: C

Review: Uncanny X-Men Volume 3 - The Good, The Bad, The Inhuman

Following the events of Battle of the Atom, Cyclops is more determined than ever to ensure that his students are prepared for the harsh reality that exists outside of their school. They’re also adjusting to the new additions of the time-displaced X-Men to their ranks, which subsequently prompts some awkward tension between a teenage Jean Grey and Emma Frost and Cyclops.

Uncanny X-Men Volume 3: The Good, The Bad, The Inhuman collects Uncanny X-Men #14, 15.INH and 16-18, written by Brian Michael Bendis and illustrated by Chris Bachalo and Kris Anka.

The Good, The Bad, The Inhuman is interesting for a very specific singular reason – it is one of the very few modern trades released by a mainstream comic book company that doesn’t feature a multi-issue story arc. In other words, each of the issues collected in this book are one-and-done stories that focus on exploring the relationships between the cast members of Uncanny X-Men. There are equal pros and cons to abandoning the tried-and-true four to six part story arcs that have become common place in the comic book industry.

The major appeal to taking a break from the multi-part format is that it gives a nice little window of opportunity for new readers to jump on board. Since the focus is on building the relationships between the characters, the reader won’t feel too lost since they don’t need to know too much of what occurred from preceding issues. This also means that Bendis is playing to his strengths. While he’s renowned for being the man behind many of Marvel’s biggest events, he’s always seemed a little more at home when writing dialogue than building story arcs. That rings true for The Good, The Bad, The Inhuman. Every word that comes out of Emma Frost and Magik’s mouths feels purposeful, as their sniping at others and overall feisty attitude creates a lot of great moments throughout. Bendis particularly likes to play up Emma’s playful rivalry with Kitty, as well as her deep-seated hatred towards Jean Grey. For this reason, the series two blonds continue their streak of scene-stealing and stand out as the two most interesting characters in Uncanny X-Men.

The downside to Bendis’ focus on one-off stories is that they have the same effect as filler episodes from a TV series. It stalls the tension within the series, bringing the action to a grinding halt. While it’s refreshing to take a break from a story arc to allow the characters to breathe, the problem is that not a whole lot has been happening in Uncanny X-Men as is. Up until this collection, Bendis has been building towards some kind of conflict – be it with Wolverine’s school, the Avengers, S.H.I.E.L.D., Mystique or humans in general. There are no primary antagonists to speak of, nor does he really attempt to resolve the issues his characters are having in their personal lives. As such, this really leaves the reader with the feeling that Bendis doesn’t really know what he’s doing and like there’s no real direction to his run. Tonally, it seems like he might be aiming for a title similar to the beloved ‘90s quirky teen book Generation X. What is preventing this title from replicating the qualities that made Generation X such a hit is that Bendis simply doesn’t have a cast of characters that is memorable enough. Yes, Emma and Magik are fantastic, but what about the rest? The teen mutants he’s created continue to be forgettable and lack the personalities readers need in order to root for these guys. Aside from Tempus, none of them have distinguishable designs or costumes. That’s why Bendis needs six part story arcs against badass villains, because otherwise he’s essentially just treading water with a bunch of characters that no one is truly invested in.

The Good, The Bad, The Inhuman is an eerily accurate title for this collection. It features some great character moments as a result of Bendis’ aptitude for writing snappy dialogue. Fans will love Emma’s signature bad girl persona, while readers will continue to fall for Magik and her lack of a filter. However, the meandering plot deflates any tension that Bendis had been building towards. This trade also fails to flesh out its younger cast members, something which has been an issue from the get-go with this series. There are really only a couple of issues worth reading here (#15.INH and #16). You might want to grab those two issues separately and save your money to get a trade that’s more worth it.

RATING: C+

Top 10: Greatest Women of the X-Men

As one of Marvel's most successful properties, the X-Men have been an enduring symbol of equality and diversity. This is in part due to the stellar cast of female characters that have been members of this illustrious team of mutants. Where other superhero books struggled to maintain a strong female presence, the X-Men continually broke barriers and records with their multi-dimensional portrayals of women. 

As writer Brian Wood puts it, "[…] the women are the X-Men. Cyclops and Wolverine are big names, but taken as a whole, the women kind of rule the franchise. If you look at the entire world as a whole, it's the females that really dominate and are the most interesting and cool to look at."

Listed here are the top ten greatest female members of the X-Men. Those selected were chosen based on their importance to the franchise, mutant abilities, personality, recognizability, and relevance.

10. Magik (Illyana Rasputin)

First Appearance: Giant-Size X-Men #1 (1975)

Mutant Powers: Sorcery, teleportation

Essential Storylines: Uncanny X-Men #160, New Mutants #14, The Quest for Magik, X-Men: Hellbound, Uncanny X-Men: Revolution

As a child, Illyana Rasputin was spirited away to Limbo where the demon Belasco siphoned off bits of her soul in order to summon the Elder Gods to take over Earth. This event left Illyana deeply corrupted and led towards her becoming the ruler of Limbo. Over the years, she has fought her darker impulses to fight for good as a member of the New Mutants and later as a member of the X-Men.

During the 1980s, Magik was a favoured character of X-Men scribe Chris Claremont. She was a prominent member of the New Mutants and appeared frequently as a supporting character in the pages of Uncanny X-Men. While she was later killed off by future writers, Magik made her triumphant return in New X-Men and has since gone on to be a major player in many key X-Men storylines. Most recently, she was possessed by the Phoenix Force and is now a member of Cyclops' band of X-Men.

09. X-23 (Laura Kinney)

First Appearance: NYX #3 (2004)

Mutant Powers: Accelerated healing factor, superhuman senses, retractible claws in hands and feet

Essential Storylines: X-23: Innocence Lost, X-23: Target X, X-Force: Not Forgotten, X-23: The Killing Dream, Avengers Arena

Born out of a laboratory, Laura Kinney was cloned from Wolverine's DNA and was trained to be the world's most vicious assassin. She managed to escape this life and has since tried to repent for her past sins by working alongside her genetic father as a member of the X-Men.

Much like DC Comics' Harley Quinn, X-23 originated on television as a character introduced in X-Men: Evolution. The concept of a female Wolverine clone proved so popular that she was eventually brought over into the mainstream comic universe. She even starred in two self-titled mini-series and a short-lived ongoing title written by Marjorie Liu in addition to her acclaimed appearances in X-Force. If that weren't enough, she's made numerous appearances in video games and cartoons. Currently, she's part of the All-New X-Men title written by Brian Michael Bendis.

08. Jubilee (Jubilation Lee)

First Appearance: Uncanny X-Men #244 (1989)

Mutant Powers: Formerly able to generate multi-coloured energy plasmodia

Essential Storylines: Uncanny X-Men #224, Generation X, X-Men: Curse of the Mutants, Wolverine & Jubilee, X-Men: Primer

Brash and full of sass, Jubilation Lee was an orphan living in the Hollywood Mall when she first encountered the X-Men. She followed them back to their base and rightfully earned a place on the team after rescuing Wolverine from the clutches of the Reavers. Despite leaving the team to train with other mutants her age, Jubilee returned to the X-Men once more and has become a key member of their all-female task force.

Jubilee rose to prominence due to her appearance in the seminal X-Men animated series from the early-'90s. As the resident plucky teen sidekick, her antics and humorous attitude made her a favourite among viewers. While she's been largely ignored in subsequent adaptations and spent years in publication limbo, Jubilee's status as a fan-favourite has garnered her a coveted spot among the most iconic Marvel heroes.

07. Dazzler (Alison Blaire)

First Appearance: Uncanny X-Men #130 (1980)

Mutant Powers: Converts sound into light; able to generate lasers, hard light weapons, and holograms

Essential Storylines: Uncanny X-Men #217, Uncanny X-Men #228, Uncanny X-Men #260, Dazzler, X-Treme X-Men

For years, mutant singer Alison Blaire moonlit as a part-time superhero. She single-handedly bested the likes of the Enchantress, Doctor Doom, and Galactus between gigs. Life was good for the songstress until she came out as a mutant. The world turned against her and this led towards her alliance with the X-Men. As Dazzler, Alison fought against injustice as a member of the X-Men and eventually led a rebellion against the dictator known as Mojo. After a brief stint with the UK-based superhero team Excalibur, she returned to the X-Men and even became a mutant liaison for S.H.I.E.L.D., adding super spy to her resume.

With a long-running solo title under her belt, Dazzler came into the X-Men as a force to be reckoned with. She had a huge presence in Uncanny X-Men during the late-'80s, but was subsequently relegated to the D-list. Many creators have attempted to revive the character and yet she still can't quite catch a break. Dazzler deserves to be one of the top three X-Women and continues to be one of the most underrated Marvel characters out there, she obviously just needs the right push.

06. White Queen (Emma Frost)

First Appearance: Uncanny X-Men #129 (1980)

Mutant Powers: Telepathy, can transform her skin into diamond

Essential Storylines: The Dark Phoenix Saga, Uncanny X-Men #151-152, Generation X, E is for Extinction, Torn

Emma Grace Frost comes from an aristocratic Boston family. By the time she reached adulthood, she was an expert in the art of deception and manipulation. Paired with her mutant ability of telepathy, these skills enabled her to become the White Queen of the Hellfire Club. As the White Queen, Emma clashed with the X-Men several times before she switched sides. Since then, Emma has become a prominent member of the X-Men and is widely regarded as one of the most powerful telepaths in the world.

Despite being known as a villain for well over a decade, Emma's jump to heroism resurrected her career. For pulling a Rogue, Emma was rewarded by being given the coveted role of co-leader of the X-Men and headmistress of the Xavier School for Higher Learning. Unlike Rogue, Emma's continued ambiguous morals and catty attitude has made such a leap much more plausible, since her personality has been consistent. She's been a key figure in nearly every major X-Men storyline since the early-2000s and her importance in Uncanny X-Men shows that she has no intention of giving up her A-list status.

05. Rogue (Anna Marie)

First Appearance: Avengers Annual #10 (1981)

Mutant Powers: Absorbs abilities and memories through skin contact

Essential Storylines: Uncanny X-Men #171, Uncanny X-Men #269, Mutant Genesis, Supernovas, X-Men: Legacy

When she was still a child, swamp rat Anna Marie was adopted by the mutant terrorist Mystique and her lover Destiny. Adopting the codename Rogue, Anna followed in her mother's footsteps and became one of the most wanted criminals in America. She was responsible for the attempted murder of Ms. Marvel and tormented mutant songstress Dazzler relentlessly. Nevertheless, Rogue's criminal career came to an abrupt end when she sought out Professor Xavier's aid to help her gain control of her powers. This fateful decision led towards Rogue becoming of the most influential members of the X-Men and she's faithfully served the mutant team for well over three decades.

As an early example of the bad girl turned good trend, Rogue's evolution from villain to hero made her a fan-favourite in the late-'80s. However, it would be her starring role in the '90s X-Men cartoon that cemented her popularity amongst audiences. Despite what little she offers to the mutant cause and her tendency to define herself through her relationships, there's no denying that Rogue is insanely popular.

04. Psylocke (Elizabeth Braddock)

First Appearance: Captain Britain #8 (1976)

Mutant Abilities: Telepathy, telekinesis

Essential Storylines: Acts of Vengeance, The Sisterhood, Psylocke, Uncanny X-Force, Let It Bleed

As the only daughter of one of the wealthiest families in England, Elizabeth Braddock grew up dreaming of doing something incredible with her life. While she briefly worked as a supermodel, it was her work as a spy and superhero that brought purpose to her life. She used her mutant psychic abilities to become the X-Man known as Psylocke and has proven to be one of their most loyal members.

Psylocke is a complex character with a slightly convoluted backstory, but that hasn't stopped her from becoming a cult icon. Known for her provocative ninja costume and posh attitude, she's proven popular amongst most comic book fanboys. She's also a gaming favourite, appearing in numerous video games from the early-'90s onward. Though not as well known as Jean Grey or Emma Frost, Psylocke has played an integral role in the X-Men's history and her relationships within the team have made for some great storytelling opportunities.

03. Shadowcat (Kitty Pryde)

First Appearance: Uncanny X-Men #129 (1980)

Mutant Abilities: Intangibility

Essential Storylines: Days of Future Past, Uncanny X-Men #143, Mekanix, Astonishing X-Men, Breaking Point

Kitty Pryde joined the X-Men when she was just 13-years-old, becoming their youngest member to date. This computer savvy mutant grew from an awkward tween to being one of the most respected heroes in the world. Even though her dedication has wavered over the years, Kitty has continually put the needs of others before herself in the name of equality.

Introduced during the seminal Dark Phoenix Saga, Kitty proved to be an extremely likeable teenager whose awkwardness made her all the more relatable. She became a mainstay during the 1980s, with stories like God Loves, Man Kills and Days of Future Past featuring her as a key player. She even eventually went on to become a mentor to the younger generation of mutants. Thanks to the film adaptations and her appearances in cartoons, Kitty Pryde is now one of the most recognizable X-Women out there.

02. Phoenix (Jean Grey)

First Appearance: X-Men #1 (1963)

Mutant Abilities: Telekinesis, telepathy

Essential Storylines: The Dark Phoenix Saga, Inferno, X-Men #30, New X-Men, Phoenix: End Song

As one of Professor Xavier's first students, Jean Grey was a founding member of the X-Men and grew up fighting the likes of Magneto, the Sentinels, and the Juggernaut. Her growth as a telepath and telekinetic has made her one of the most powerful mutants in the world, while her connection to the enigmatic Phoenix Force makes her one of the most dangerous.

Jean Grey is truly the First Lady of the X-Men. Her sass and infamous temper have made her one of the most thrilling characters to read, while her relationship and subsequent marriage to Scott Summers continue to be one of the most iconic love stories in the world of comic books. If that weren't enough, the classic Dark Phoenix Saga hinges entirely on Jean's character and it has gone on to be one of the most influential storylines for the X-Men. Even with the complications of her constant rebirths and the presence of a "teen Jean" running amok in the present continuity, nostalgia remains high for this redheaded psychic.

01. Storm (Ororo Munroe)

First Appearance: Giant-Size X-Men #1 (1975)

Mutant Abilities: Control over the weather

Essential Storylines: Uncanny X-Men #169-170, Lifedeath, Uncanny X-Men #265-266, X-Men: Storm, Worlds Apart, Storm

When she was barely old enough to speak, Ororo Monroe was orphaned by an explosion that killed her parents in their Cairo home. For years, she would live on the streets and stole to survive. It wasn't until her mutant ability to control the weather surfaced that her life took a change for the better. Initially worshipped as a goddess in a small Kenyan village, Ororo was recruited by Professor Xavier to become a member of the X-Men. Taking on the codename Storm, she has since gone on to become a leader, a mentor, a queen, and the world's fiercest superhero.

There is no denying that Storm is the single most influential and culturally significant X-Man, male or female, out there. She was one of the very first African-American heroines in comics and she was the very first woman to ever lead a team of superheroes, not only that but she was also the first African-American to do so. She's appeared in nearly every film and television adaptation of the X-Men, as well as making appearances in video games and stage shows. While most contemporary readers would cite Rogue or X-23 as their favourite X-Woman, Storm's growth as a character goes down as one of the most well-written evolutions in the history of comic books. Chris Claremont's legendary run on Uncanny X-Men posited Storm as the matriarch and centre piece of the book, having her wrestle with complex notions of morality and identity all while leading the X-Men through some of the most tragic moments in mutant history. Truth be told, his Uncanny X-Men really was more like Storm and her Uncanny Friends. To recognize her significance, Marvel has also finally given Storm her very own ongoing series (about damn time!) written by Greg Pak. Here's hoping it survives the dreaded Marvel heroine curse!

Review: Uncanny X-Men Volume 2 - Broken

With Magik's powers on the fritz, the X-Men are seemingly helpless when they're pulled into Limbo and must face off against the demon Dormammu. Meanwhile, S.H.I.E.L.D. has recruited Dazzler to be their mutant liaison and her first assignment isn't what she thought it would be.

Uncanny X-Men Volume 2: Broken collects issues #6-11 of Brian Michael Bendis' Uncanny X-Men.

The focus on Magik and Limbo within the first couple of issues in this collection was a stroke of genius. Dormammu makes for a surprisingly good villain for the mutant sorceress and the change of setting shakes things up a bit. Unfortunately, the rest of the issues are inconsistent in pacing and lack the high-stakes tension the earlier issues had. While the fight with the powerful Blockbuster Sentinel towards the end is quite suspenseful, it felt a little predictable. Bendis also struggles with the development of the characters outside of Cyclops' inner circle. Emma, Magik, Magneto, and Cyclops are great, but the other characters all fade into the background.

As a long-time Dazzler fan, I couldn't have been more thrilled to have seen the character back in action. She made some notable appearances during Matt Fraction's run on Uncanny X-Men and appeared in the dimension hopping title X-Treme X-Men, but neither helped to improve her standing on the D-list. Since Brian Michael Bendis has a history of bringing attention to obscure characters (re: Luke Cage, Spider-Woman), having him write the character into this title as a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent was nothing short of brilliant. She even got a stylish new outfit (one of her best, in my opinion). This could have ushered in a new era for the character and would have helped to introduce her to a wider audience as a veritable super spy. Unfortunately, it was all a fake out. At the end of her first assignment, she is poisoned and replaced by Mystique. It's an eye roll worthy moment that is especially frustrating since Bendis is recycling his character arc for Spider-Woman from New Avengers and Secret Invasion. In it, Jessica Drew had become a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent, but was secretly a shapeshifting Skrull. It's a stale and predictable move that does the character no favours. If that weren't enough, he has Cyclops treat Dazzler like a traitor for teaming up with S.H.I.E.L.D. before hearing her side of things. Cyclops would do well to remember that Dazzler was the very first mutant to willingly come out as a mutant and is a pioneer in mutant rights. While he was off getting married, having a kid, and then cheating on his (first) wife with Jean Grey, Dazzler was public enemy number one and had to go underground in order to survive the scrutiny she was under. Cyclops, have a few seats.

After the first couple of arcs of Uncanny X-Men, it's quite clear that the narrative is losing steam. While Cyclops' team of X-Men continue to delight with their strong personalities and electric chemistry, the new mutants he's introduced are all fairly generic. Aside from Tempus, this new batch of mutants are altogether forgettable. Bendis also squandered the potential he had with Dazzler, instead using Mystique once more after having depicted her as a Big Bad in All-New X-Men. At its core, Broken is a series of plot threads that have yet to be tied. The title's characters are in desperate need of development and the source behind the overarching conflict is still being hinted at. While this collection is quite entertaining, it doesn't reveal nearly enough and doesn't live up to its full potential.

Rating: B-

Review: Uncanny X-Men Volume 1 - Revolution

In the wake of the war between the Avengers and the X-Men, people all over the world have begun manifesting mutant abilities. Cyclops and his ragtag band of X-Men have made it their mission to seek out these new mutants and train them to use their newfound powers. There's just one problem -- Cyclops is a wanted man and S.H.I.E.L.D. will stop at nothing to apprehend him.

Uncanny X-Men Volume 1: Revolution collects the first five issues of Brian Michael Bendis' take on the Uncanny X-Men.

As far as relaunches go, Brian Michael Bendis' Uncanny X-Men is fairly inaccessible. If you haven't read Avengers vs. X-Men or Bendis' All-New X-Men, odds are you'll feel a little lost. Seeing as the entire premise of the book hinges upon these two prior narratives, it's difficult to fully comprehend what's going on without those reference points. The reader will also require a decent working knowledge of the primary characters as well, particularly with Magik and Emma Frost. Thankfully, Bendis makes up for these shortcomings with some excellent characterization. The aforementioned Magik and Emma Frost are brimming with personality, as is the new mutant Tempus. Similarly, Cyclops is remarkably likeable and makes the reader root for his initiative. Beyond that, the broken powers of the X-Men add a tinge of unpredictability to the title. Not only will Cyclops and his group have to train the new generation of mutants how to use their powers, but they'll have to re-learn how to use their own as well.

One of the most memorable moments in Revolution is when the Avengers attempt to arrest the X-Men. As the men engage in what amounts to a verbal pissing contest, we get to see Captain Marvel attempt to diffuse the situation. The scene is quite tense and re-enforces the "the Avengers are jerks" trend that started in Avengers vs. X-Men. Cyclops' group is a response team and they act only when provoked, so it's rather interesting to see the Avengers play the role of the school yard bully who instigates the conflict. Without spoiling anything, the Avengers are humiliated and Cyclops becomes even more of a symbol for freedom. To be honest, it's incredibly satisfying.

Comic legend Chris Bachalo provides the art for the first four issues in this collection. He was also responsible for the redesigns of each primary character. The interior art is actually quite stunning and his composition of each panel is very dynamic. His characters are also extremely expressive. Truth be told, it's some of his best work to date. His designs, however, are subpar. The uniforms he comes up with for the female characters are cringe-worthy due to their lack of functionality and style. It's rather puzzling as to why Emma Frost would be wearing hideous '90s shoulder pads, especially given her love of designer clothing. On top of that, it seems as if he's recycling the designs he came up with for Age of Apocalypse. While it's great to have a certain aesthetic, it's not worth it to rehash looks we've seen before on other characters.

If you're going into Uncanny X-Men expecting something new and revolutionary, you'll be sorely disappointed. The X-Men being feared, hated, and persecuted is nothing new. They've fought for equality for several decades and they've even earned favour from the media in the comics before (see: "Fall of the Mutants"). The reason why you should pick up this book is for its characters. Bendis does a great job of developing his primary characters and they seem to be forming their own little oddball family. Overall, Revolution is a great read for anyone looking for a character-driven story with lots of action.

Rating: B

Review: All-New X-Men Volume 1, Yesterday's X-Men

After the events of Avengers vs. X-Men, the X-Men are left shaken by Cyclops' corruption at the hands of the Phoenix Force. Beast is especially affected by the betrayal and manages to bring back the original five X-Men from the past in order to remind his fellow X-Man of just how much has changed.

All-New X-Men: Yesterday's X-Men collects the first five issues of the series, featuring writing by Brian Michael Bendis and art by Stuart Immonen.

As one of Marvel's premiere writers, Brian Michael Bendis has penned the adventures for the Avengers for years and All-New X-Men marks his foray into the world of the X-Men. The premise for the series is simple -- the X-Men of the past are brought to the present in order to right the wrongs Cyclops has committed. Stories involving time travel can be quite tricky and can add more confusion to an already complicated timeline. Thankfully, Bendis covers his bases by explicitly stating that the X-Men of the past will have their memories wiped by the Professor Xavier of their time, thereby removing their knowledge of the future. The only characters affected will be those in our present, which is exactly what Beast is hoping for.

As the X-Men of yesteryear deal with their new surroundings, Cyclops is busy recruiting new mutants to a school he is starting. This subplot seems a little out of place, but is quite obviously meant as an entry point into Bendis' run on Uncanny X-Men. The jury's also out on how interesting they will be, but each has potential.

The overall tone of the title is consistent and the story is quite interesting. The downside to all of this is that All-New X-Men has large quantity of characters. Bendis is clearly finding his feet with these issues, but he's also using one too many mutants right off the bat. The surplus of mutants limits his ability to portray them uniquely and give them each enough time to shine. That said, there are some characters that stand out. Kitty Pryde proves to be a scene stealer and teen Jean Grey has the strongest personality of the original X-Men. Beast is also given quite a bit of attention and is the character on which much of the action hinges upon. Unfortunately, he's nowhere near as likeable as the others. He's stubborn and short-sighted in his inability to accept the reasoning behind Cyclops' actions.

All-New X-Men is an action-packed, character-driven title. Stuart Immonen's art is jaw-dropping and is brimming with personality, adding to the overall sense of dynamism to this collection. However, this volume is not a self-contained story and requires quite a bit of working knowledge of the characters in order to understand what is going on. Additionally, its plot is almost entirely meant as a set-up for future issues and Bendis' work on Uncanny X-Men. That said, it's worth the read and is a promising start to the series.

Rating: B+