Comic Review: Uncanny X-Men (2018-) #12

Uncanny X-Men #12

Marvel Comics

Writer: Matthew Rosenberg

Artist: Salvador Larroca

Cyclops & Wolverine are both back from the dead. Whether you agree or disagree with that (I know I feel one way about it) they’re here to stay. They have bad timing though since they’re back just as soon as the rest of the X-Men are seemingly dead. It’s a little Uncanny. But, they’re back and working together to rebuild the X-Men.

Defeating various factions of X-Men enemies together, Cyclops and Wolverine are reforming the X-Men. Their first stop is an O.N.E. (Office of National Emergency) camp holding mutant prisoners. The two orchestrate a prison break and see some familiar faces to join their ranks.

I’m not the happiest camper when it comes to these particular two characters coming back to life. I think we were fine without Cyclops, and we had a great Wolverine replacement with X-23. With that out of the way, I like this issue. Coming after the big hullabaloo that is the X-Men Disassembled event, this issue feels smaller and more intimate. Just a little, considering the roster expands a bit by the end. I’m also a fan of Matthew Rosenberg, and his style of writing and banter. Plus, putting my feelings about their revivals aside, I think Cyclops and Wolverine make a kick-ass team.  I also like the prisoners that they rescue. Without giving it away, I’ll just say that there are some New Mutants that might join the X-Men.

I’m also enjoying the art in this issue, for the most part. There’s some good looking action happening throughout, especially Cyclops’ optic blasts. There’s some really good work with the lighting. I really enjoy when the images get a little silhouette-ish, those are panels are great. But, in a few spots, there are some things I think are a little off. Mainly, there are a few times where the surroundings offer better lighting, and in those settings, the skin colors and faces look off to me. I won’t say that they’re “bad” but it’s definitely noticeable, at least for me.

Cyclops and Wolverine don’t know that the X-Men will be returning in a month, but we do. Even so, this is still shaping up to be an interesting story. I like the “we’re not really buddies” buddy cop vibes that Cyclops and Wolverine have. It looks like we’ll get a new roster of X-Men, if only for a little bit, and I’m always a fan of that. The art looks really good in some places, less so in others, but it’s not a deal breaker. I’m enjoying this comic, and I’m looking forward to what may happen going forward.