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UNCANNY X-MEN #399
"For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge"
Recommended (8/10)
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Marvel Comics
Writer: Joe Casey
Pencils: Tom Raney
Inks: Scott Hanna
Colors: Hi-Fi
Letters: Comicraft
Editor: Mark Powers
Price: $2.25 US/$3.50 CAN |
Like many, I was unimpressed with "Poptopia," the first multi-artist jamboree that kicked off the revamped Uncanny X-Men. While this storyline features some familiar themes as well, notably the slaughter of mutants by anti-mutant forces, it also features several new ideas and generally much stronger storytelling. Part of that is down to the artwork, as Tom Raney comes off a strong issue of Ultimate X-Men to remind me why I was such a fan during his Stormwatch days, and
part of it is due to an interest in Casey's new creations, the X-Ranch and the
Church of Humanity, both of which make their debut in this issue.
Part of what has really been
needed in the X-Books for a long time is a break from the expected in
characterization. Casey provides that this issue, with a wonderful opening
sequence in Warren Worthington's board room. For too long, his business side has
been ignored, and I enjoyed seeing him in command of a situation that way. It
also seemed that using his financial obligations as a lead-in was more novel
than yet another "new mutant showing up on Cerebro" introduction.
Another character who has benefited greatly from new writers has been Iceman. It's ironic that a character whose power comes from ice manipulation has been anything but cool, but in this issue and the Iceman mini-series, he's coming across
as the young hipster of the team. He seems younger than the rest of them, in a
"college boy willing to try anything" way, and it's an interesting approach.
Even before he came onboard
this title, Joe Casey has been talking about "sexing up" Marvel's mutants in his
column "Crash Comments" and elsewhere. Now that he has the chance, he has added
the first hint of that with the X-Ranch, a mutant brothel. It's a wild idea, one
that seems fitting in a world where mutants are common, and I enjoyed his
execution of the idea, where stimulation comes not from "getting it on" with
freaks but from the use of powers to satisfy rather than destroy. The mystique
and strangeness of the X-Ranch comes across nicely in Raney's artwork as well,
from the massive Bette to the lavish furnishings of the house.
Tom Raney has been a favorite artist of mine since Stormwatch, but his work since
then has been hit or miss. The X-Books seem to suit him, however, as his work
this issue is impressive. The designs for the Church of Humanity are
distinctive, the combat scenes quite effective and the overall staging very
nice. It is my hope that the Raney/Hanna team will see a lot more action on this
title.
There are still familiar elements to this book. Yet another mutant massacre isn't really what the books need, and the Church of Humanity so far looks like every other human anti-mutant faction we've seen before. However, there's potential for a lot more there, whether it's the idea of blending right-wing Christian moralizing with anti-mutant sentiments (something we've not seen since God Loves, Man Kills) or the notion of mutant powers
being used for more than just fighting. Hopefully Casey can explore some of
these unusual ideas and lay off a little on the familiar.
Email Randy Lander comments about this review, or discuss it on the Fourth Rail message board. |
