Kieron Gillen has been keeping secrets all along via three manipulative members of the diverse cast of Uncanny X-Men: Volume 2. Gillen delivers a satifying ending to the Uncanny X-Men series for a second time. The writer masterfully gives us six characters in 3 powerful revelations. Cyclops is imprisoned in a SHIELD facility when Kate Kildare, his superhero PR specialist, pays a visit. Gillen delivers an Ace he’s been holding since the series relaunched and it’s a helluva reveal. Kate’s real identity is a shocker and could lead to a whole new adventure for Scott and perhaps his greatest enemy.
Unit may be my favorite creation (he first appeared in S.W.O.R.D.) of Gillen’s run – I have already pleaded with the writer to use the android against Tony Stark in his upcoming Marvel Now relaunch of Iron Man. Unit and Danger’s final confrontation is beautiful and cruel. Those last panels of Unit are a perfectly chilling sendoff of the creature Gillen called aptly called a hybrid of C3PO and Hannibal Lecter.
Uncanny X-Men #9 interior art of UNIT courtesy Marvel
Gillen managed to make the most bizarre brother/sister dynamic in comics even more tragic and strange during this Extinction team era. Illyana confronts a brooding Colossus on the ravaged Phoenix farms in Siberia. Magik takes Peter to Limbo for one last act and revelation that leaves him free of the Cyttorak and vowing to kill her. Illyana’s last line is cold and demonstrates the little snowflake has long been burned away. Colossus will turn up again in Cable and X-Force but I would love to see where Gillen would have taken Peter next.
Uncanny X-Men preview art courtesy Marvel.com
Uncanny X-Men #20 could have packed in Storm, Psylocke, Magneto and Hope but their fates will be featured in other X-books. I was satisfied with the three big reveals. The only missing? Where was Emma Frost?
Brian Michael Bendis will bring the original five X-Men into the Marvel Now. How will the teen Scott, Jean, Hank, Warren and Bobby react to seeing how Xavier’s dream turned nightmare?
The original five may be the focus on the All-New X-Men book but this preview art by Stuart Immonen stars the modern day X-Men formerly known as the Phoenix Five.
Cyclops, Emma Frost and Magneto may no longer be under the influence of the Phoenix Force but they still looked ominous as the confront the mystery woman. Bendis has confirmed this is not Rachel Summers.
The other preview piece shows Cyke and Magik in a war zone protecting a young man in glasses we’ve seen in an earlier #1 cover.
All-New X-Men #1 courtesy Marvel
Are these new mutants?
Captain America and Wolverine are trying to heal the wounds of AvX with the creation of Uncanny Avengers but maybe Cyke, Emma and Magneto are not willing to give in the the new world order of the Marvel Now?
AvX: Consequences #2 Cyclops was right about the Phoenix’s return. Yet the former X-Men leader sits in prison. Wolverine shows up for a visit- it ain’t a friendly one. The aftermath of Avengers vs. X-Men continues here.
Batwoman #13 Wonder Woman. Batwoman. Medusa.
Cyberforce #1 Marc Silvestri’s superteam is back as part of Top Cow’s 20th Anniversary. A modern reimagining with creator Silvestri co-writing, art director and cover artist starring Velocity as the lead.
Hawkeye #3 Clint Barton takes Kate Bishop under his wing. This is one of the unique superhero book out there showing you life when an Avenger isn’t on duty.
Marvel Now! Point One It’s a big book with lots of stories that will set the stage and leave clues about the big revamp of the Marvel Universe.
The end of Uncanny X-Men…again. It was shocking when Uncanny X-Men was cancelled and relaunched after the Schism event but the book truly was a very all-new, all-different book.
Kieron Gillen and Carlos Pacheco unite on this week’s Uncanny X-Men #20 and end the second volume they kicked off. When Uncanny X-Men relaunched Cyclops formed the Extinction Team (Emma Frost, Magneto, Storm, Colossus, Magik, Namor and Pixie.) Ironic that it was called the extinction team.
This assembling of the most powerful mutants was to show the enemies and the world that the X-Men (and those they protect) were not to messed with. The old tagline of protecting a world that fear and hates them with a stronger emphasis on the fear.
Uncanny X-Men #9 interior art of UNIT courtesy Marvel
The series was designed to be a prelude and companion book to the Avengers vs. X-Men event. Gillen did the unthinkable (in my opinion) and revamped Mister Sinister into an even more bizarre and compelling enemy. Gillen gave us what I think is one of the new one villains in a long time. Unit could have been the X-Men’s version of Ultron. This alien android was a combination of C3PO and Hannibal Lecter (Gillen’s description.) I’ve already asked Gillen via Twitter to use Unit against Tony Stark in his upcoming Iron Man run.
I will remember Gillen’s run for the decontruction of the ultimate mutant power couple. Scott Summers and Emma Frost had a good run. She’s still the best thing that ever happened to him – sorry Jean fans. Utopias are always an illusion. The sexual tension between Emma and Namor, Scott’s growing zealotry, the ghost of Jean were always there and Gillen wove the undoing of Scott and Emma with perfection.
Uncanny X-Men #9 courtesy Marvel.com
Cyclops is in prison – even though he was right after the Phoenix’s return and Hope’s destiny. Magneto, Magik, Colossus, Namor and Emma Frost are fugitives. Colossus will turn up in Cable and X-Force. I hope Emma Frost and Magneto form their own Avenging X-Men. I’d love to see the isolated Namor become Marvel Universe enemy #1 in a new series by Gillen or clash with Tony Stark in Gillen’s Iron Man run.
The X-Men as I’ve known them are long gone but that’s why I’ve loved them all these years. The mutants keep mutating but no matter who is writing or drawing I love these characters.
This Op/Ed followup should not be read unless you’ve read Avengers vs. X-Men #12.
Avengers vs. X-Men could be retitled Operation: Hate Cyclops. When AvX was first announced I was on fully on board with Cyclops and the mutants. I posted “Cyke Is Right!” on my blog and all over rallying my fellow X-Men fans. X-Men were my first comic book and I’ve always identified with them. Captain America and the Avengers were yanking away the one Hope the mutants had to save their species.
The architects of AvX turned the greatest hero and leader in comic books into an arrogant, power mad egomaniac. The Marvel masterminds even did the unthinkable – turn me against Scott! I’ve actually rooting for the Avengers. Cyke was right. Now I’m not so sure.
AvX is a dark and critical chapter in Scott’s life. The man Professor Xavier chose to lead the mutants has never had it easy. He’s been put in incredible scenarios against impossible odds and faced tragedy after tragedy. His fellow mutants have constantly been under attack and he’s been forced to make tough calls without a single Avenger coming to his aid. That’s what I love about him.
Scott Summers must always been in control. Holding back his optic blasts is a symbol of the life Scott has been forced to lead. Professor Xavier made him team leader. Cyke pushed himself to be a better leader while the other X-Men got to laugh and escape from training at Harry’s Hideaway. Scott is always living in the Danger Room.
Scott has lost Jean, Madelyne, Nathan. Cyke has held firm despite insults from Wolverine and wavering support from longtime friends. He’s a better X-Man than any mutant…including Logan.
Avengers vs. X-Men #11 courtesy Marvel.com
In AvX #11 the Phoenix possessed Cyclops and Emma Frost turn on each other because there can be only one. AvX appears to be the end of a powerhouse Marvel romance. Grant Morrison slowly separated Scott and Jean and paired Cyke with the reformed Emma Frost during his New X-Men run. Joss Whedon united Scott and Emma as the mutant power couple in his Astonishing X-Men epic. As much as I love Jean, Emma is the one true woman for Scott.
The Phoenix Force is now divided between Scott and Emma. Scott has been transformed into arrogant cosmic level zealot. The God-like power of the Phoenix Force has twisted Scott’s intense dedication to save his race. Emma’s behavior is now dangerously similar to the Dark Phoenix. The reformed White Queen has always kept her ruthless streak and it’s been necessary and easy for her to slip back into the role of a villain (Dark Reign & Dark X-Men Saga) to use it for the sake of saving the mutants.
I kept hoping Scott and Emma’s extreme and ruthless behavior was a result of having slivers of The Void (The Sentry’s evil alter ego) in their minds. It was these two mutants who sacrificed to trap the Void when the Avengers couldn’t stop him. I wanted some excuse so it would be easy to redeem Scott and Emma for their actions. Alas, I can blame the Phoenix Force but isn’t the entity just feeding off and empowering the emotions and motivations existing in my favorite Marvel power couple?
Avengers vs. X-Men #12 courtesy Marvel
Cyclops betrayed Emma and stole her Phoenix Power, killed Professor X, became Dark Phoenix and began burning the earth. In this week’s final chapter Hope and Scarlet Witch (with an assist from Jean Grey?) forced the Phoenix out of Scott. The leader of the X-Men now sits in prison as the most hated man in the Marvel Universe. Cyclops is taking all the blame even though he was right about Hope, The Phoenix and how to save the mutant race.
Every hero falls. Every fan loves redemption. I hope Scott and Emma survive AvX to rise to greatness again in the Marvel NOW.
Arrogance Rex! Namor the Sub-Mariner is one of my favorite Marvel characters. He can come across as an arrogant, belligerent, vain snob. I love this guy.
Namor is a man of two worlds but uncomfortable in both. A ruler faced with an impossible duty. A romantic always falling for the wrong woman – especially brainy blondes belonging to another man.
Having Namor join the X-Men was genius. Marvel’s First Mutant allied his defeated Atlantean forces with Cyclops and the mutants of Utopia. Namor and Emma’s passionate past was an attraction they kept in check until the Phoenix Force threw gasoline and lit the match. I think Emma used her wiles the keep Namor in check but the Phoenix Force fed off their buried passion.
The Phoenix possessed Namor went too far. After coveting Emma Frost for years Namor defied Cyclops and tried to seduce her. Namor invaded and devistated Wakanda in an effort to wipe out the Avengers.
Namor is appearing in The Defenders which is coming to an end. He’s likely out of both X-Men and Avengers. So is Namor a fish out of water in the Marvel Now? Or could this be a bold new chapter for Marvel’s first mutant?
Namor will be isolated and hated by some. It’s time to have the Sub-Mariner play the villain again. I think Ben Grimm would say he was never that heroic!
Uncanny X-Men #12 courtesy Marvel
In the past Namor has allied with Doctor Doom, attacked New York City and been an enemy of the Fantastic Four. I consider Namor be in the same league with old school Magneto. Namor was fighting to save his people and his kingdom no matter what it took. There’s an old theory about his boiling Atlantean/human blood driving him mad and into his extreme measures.
It’s safe to say Black Panther will not be forgiving Namor for the destruction of his homeland, Namor’s alliance with the X-Men has been shattered and even old friend Steve Rogers may not let Namor off for his crimes.
Namor: The First Mutant #1 courtesy Marvel
Where does that leave this classic character in the Marvel NOW?
A villain?
A rogue antihero in a new solo series – think Punisher but with winged feet?
Part of a movement born in the aftermath of AvX? Scott and Emma’s relationship is probably over so could the former White Queen finally give in to Namor and form the Avenging X-Men?
A love interest for She-Hulk in FF?
Because of his actions in AvX and his history Namor is an iconic character could lead to a flood of story potential in the Marvel Now.
Cyclops has become the most powerful force on Earth…possibly the universe. Avengers and X-Men are in mourning. Tony Stark has pushed every scientific mind to find a way to fight the Phoenix Force and come up empty.
It all comes down to Scarlet Witch and Hope. These were the only heroes able to do some damage to the entity. The Phoenix was almost afraid of Wanda.
Avengers vs. X-Men #12 courtesy Marvel
Jason Aaron and Adam Kubert are the creative team on the final showdown. I wanted to share Comic Book Resource’s first look inside Avengers vs. X-Men #12.
The heroes look defeated. Hope and Scarlet Witch have their own issues to work out before taking on the Dark Phoenix Cyclops. Wanda will survive to join Uncanny Avengers. Scott will be part of All-New X-Men. Is this Hope’s fate?
The final chapter of AvX is Cyclops (in Dark Phoenix mode) against the Avengers and X-Men. It appears Scott will survive the showdown to appear in All-New X-Men by Brian Michael Bendis. Will the modern-day Cyke be at war with his younger self?
All-New X-Men #4 courtesy Marvel
Bendis is bringing the original five X-Men into the here and Marvel Now. Comic Book Resources has the exclusive first look at the covers for All-New X-Men #3 and #4 by Stuart Immonen featuring Cyclops against Cyclops.
