Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews

Uncanny X-Men #503
Marvel Comics
Fraction, Brubaker, Land and Ponsor

A good issue of Uncanny has the Empath story wrap up while a new one crops up. This issue gives out some nice character interaction and a couple of good character moments. It has some action and while the Empath story was okay, I think the set up with the next one made the comic jump from average to good.

The issue opens with some of the X-Men hanging out in a bar drinking. Cannonball, Mirage and Karma are pondering life as a mutant. This isn’t something to just throw away as it really helps to establish how some of the lower level X-Men feel about their current situation. This was a good litmus test for the health of the overall team.

Next the issue covers Empath and his rampage. While Scott and Emma play the dual role of tactician and communications center, Angel, Storm, Nightcrawler and Wolverine try to stop Empath. While this is going on Pixie has herself a breakout moment and some good interaction with Beast to boot.

The issue concludes with a big ghost coming back out of Scott’s past that will cause some issues with his relationship with Emma. Plus, a couple of others show up in the end out of no where to help push up another future thread.

It’s a good issue. There is a decent sized cast and the issue moves fast enough so that none of them really eat up too much scenery. The banter between Nightcrawler and Wolverine is assuming while the dialogue between Cannonball, Karma and Mirage is meaningful. Empath proved to be an interesting villain, but wasn’t explored very much.

The artwork feels more solid than in previous issues. The women have a tendency to all look alike and to some extent they are supposed to in this issue. I did find the quiet moments in the clubs and bars to be as effective as the action scenes.

A good comic wraps up this little mini plot, but the seeds are out there for future ones. This comic spreads around the wealth with a bunch of the X team. It’s a very satisfying read, but there is room for some improvements. I feel some momentum building though. This is an entertaining read.

3.5 out of 5 geek goggles