Review: UNCANNY X-MEN #34

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UNCANNY X-MEN #34
Written by Brian Michael Bendis
Art by Kris Anka, Marte Gracia, and Joe Caramagna
Published by Marvel Comics
Release Date: May 20, 2015

Mystique has been a wild card character who’s shown up sporadically in Uncanny X-Men and All-New X-Men. While Cyclops has been the plot-driver and the cause of divisiveness among the X-Men, Mystique bought Madripoor, turned it into a Monaco-like playground for mutants and those seeking mutant-like powers, and aggressively sold mutant growth hormone which she harvested from Dazzler against her will.

Dazzler has also weaved in and out of this series, but this issue belongs to her in full force. Dazzler and Maria Hill have great conversations where we see just how much Dazzler cares about the mutants who were part of Cyclops’ school. The question of when and how Dazzler will seek revenge on Mystique finally gets addressed. It feels like Brian Michael Bendis is tying up loose ends that have lingered over this title.

One of the faults of Uncanny X-Men has been the lack of time given to Celeste, Phoebe, Mindee, Christopher Muse, Benjamin Deeds, Fabio Medina, and David Bond. Here they finally get to voice their thoughts and discuss their own fate. Bendis’ choice to focus on these teens, Dazzler, Maria, and Magik is a breath of fresh air. The writing is also humorous and doesn’t drag. Dazzler makes a quick Cyclops-related joke to Maria, and Dazzler and Magik share a brief funny exchange at Mystique’s expense.

Kris Anka gives Dazzler a cool, edgy look, with cutouts in her top, bracelets, and fantastic shoes. Marte Gracia cranks the visual energy to 11 by giving Dazzler bright blue swatches on her face and blaze orange hair. A scene in Greenwich Village has a wash of cyan that looks fitting for a club atmosphere and frames the scene perfectly. I also like how Anka styled David Bond’s hair and all of the young mutants’ clothes.

This issue ends teasing something that could be amazing: an overdue chance for certain characters to get their own stories, almost certainly stories readers will love. Bendis gives us an isolated story that lets Dazzler shine, without needing to read previous issues or any of Secret Wars. It’s a fun read that ends on an intriguing cliffhanger.

The Verdict: 9.0/10

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