Review: UNCANNY X-MEN #16

UNCANNY X-MEN #16
Written by Brian Michael Bendis
Art by Chris Bachalo
Published by Marvel Comics
Release Date: January 15, 2014

UNCX2013016_DC11_LRBrian Michael Bendis and Chris Bachalo provide another individual character study in the pages of Uncanny X-Men as the creative duo explore Magneto and his current place in the X-Men’s corner of the Marvel Universe, as “The Master of Magnetism” takes center stage in this beautifully crafted one off issue that helps set the stage for the Magneto ongoing.

When the character of Magneto debuted in the very first issue of X-Men all the way back in 1963 he was a very typical one note villain; he wanted mutants to rise up and rule the world. Slowly this stereotypical comic book baddie was given a background, and under the pen of the great Chris Claremont we found out more about Magneto’s past. Facts such as him being a Holocaust survivor made the character far more multidimensional than many villains. He would join the X-Men and betray them over the years, but each and every time the lines between good and evil were blurred, and bits of pieces of sympathy fell into place. For the last few years he has been a member of the X-Men again, and has teamed with Cyclops and his Uncanny X-Men despite signs that he may have his own agenda.

Throughout his run on Uncanny X-Men Bendis has continued the grand tradition of making Magneto one of the most interesting bad guys in all of comics. Or is he one of the most interesting reformed villains in all of comics? That is question the past 16 issues have been asking regarding Magneto. Uncanny X-Men #16 shows us a broken, no thanks to his being a victim of The Phoenix Five during Avengers vs X-Men, and conflicted man who day dreams of slaughtering a human rally for mutant rights as he sits there listening to their leader. While he doesn’t act on it, it is clear that Erik hasn’t forgiven the humans for the years of persecution mutants have faced. During this power fantasy Magneto promises “to show them” in a chilling panel that could quite possibly lead readers to believe that the Magneto that has killed thousands of people is bubbling right under the surface. It is at this point that Dazzler, the S.H.I.E.L.D. Mutant Liason who just so happens to still be Mystique in disguise unbeknownst to everyone snaps Mags out of his fantasy and gives him a mission in Madripoor to find out who is turning the island nation into a mutant paradise.

It can be said that this issue will be viewed by many as the comic book equivelant of a back door pilot. So much so that it even says on the last page of the issue that the next place to find Magneto will be in Magneto #1 Bendis has been writing Magneto with such a great balance since he took over the reins on Uncanny X-Men that while skeptical at first I can finally see where a ongoing series for the character can be successful. To paraphrase a quote from the issue, we do not know what Magneto’s agenda is, and that provides the template for Bendis to write an amazing examination of where Magneto stands philosophically while maintaining an aura of mystery that will keep the readers wondering just how close are we to getting the true villain Magneto back. Erik may have been on Cyclops’ side when it came to struggling for mutant survival, but after the events of this issue we may be closer to seeing the rampaging Magneto of yesteryear than we realize. I have faith that Cullen Bunn will be able to strike the same balance that Bendis did in this issue, and really every issue of Uncanny X-Men that has featured the character, showing that internal conflict of being a supposed changed man with the old feelings of superiority lingering. On the artistic side of things Gabriel Hernandez Walta is going to have some big shoes to fill on the ongoing because Chris Bachalo absolutely hits a grand slam with this issue.

Chris Bachalo is like fine wine and just keeps on getting better. He has had work published in four different decades, and is at the peak of his craft here in 2014. While some people may have been turned off of his highly stylized and jagged edged pencils in the past, he has continued to considerably tone that aspect of his work down during his run on this book. Bachalo’s panel structure is easier to follow than it has ever been and his characters are softer and a bit more round which makes for some stunning pages, especially those featuring the characters who appear near the tail end of the book. Bachalo is also given a page or two to run wild, and that comes in the form of the aforementioned day dream sequence which delves into a brief return to the classic Bachalo where the action in panels spill over into each other and mayhem ensues. In this context the page fits, and is made even better by Bachalo’s handling of the coloring, which is a deep red and black  that helps differentiate the violent fantasy from the issue’s reality. There are also great uses of Magneto’s new white color scheme that when juxtaposed with the shadows allows the character to pop off the page in beautiful ways. It is hard to believe that after so many years an artist can continue to improve and learn new tricks of the trade, especially when that someone has been considered a legend in the industry in three different decades, and published in four. I have never been more excited to see Bachalo’s name on a book than I am these days and that is saying a lot considering the man’s career.

With Uncanny X-Men #16 Brian Michael Bendis and Chris Bachalo have crafted an issue that explores the core of one of the oldest X-Men characters, and where he stands in the ever changing landscape of today’s Marvel Universe. The plot may move a bit fast to get pieces in place, but the glimmers of insight into what makes Magneto tick, combined with gorgeous art more than makes up for any short comings, including how the Madripoor here co-exists with what’s happened in the first issue of Avengers World. This issue is essentially a stand alone that current x-fans will enjoy and one that people planning on picking up Cullen Bunn’s upcoming ongoing should pickup to get a good idea of the mindset that Magneto finds himself in heading towards that series.

The Verdict: 9.5/10

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One Comment;

  1. Matt SantoriMatthew Santori-Griffith said:

    Both this and All-New X-Men cannot be praised enough. They’ve been the best breath of fresh air to the franchise in years. Since Morrison and Whedon, in my opinion.

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