Comic of the Week: “Uncanny X-Men” #15

Welcome back to another G33k-HQ Comic of the Week! It’s been a bit since our last review, but we haven’t given up just yet, because there’s always great comics worth showcasing coming out. This week, we’re taking a long overdue look at “Uncanny X-Men,” written by Gail Simone, illustrated by David Marquez, and colored by Matthew Wilson.

Gail Simone’s run on “Uncanny X-Men” follows a select group of fan-favorite X-Men (Rogue, Gambit, Wolverine, Jubilee, and Nightcrawler) in the wake of the fall of Krakoa and the defeat of Orchis. The team has taken in a group of new, young mutants collectively referred to as the Outliers, where they train in the safety of Haven House in Louisiana. Along the way, we’ve seen the characters grow, adapt to their new roles and circumstances, and learn to love themselves for who they are — while still getting stories with Sentinel hounds, the X-Men fighting a dragon, and Wolverine wearing nothing but jean shorts.

That brings us to the current arc, “The Dark Artery.” This story alternates between the past and present, taking us to the roots of the Haven House before bringing us back as the Outliers discover the secrets beneath it. Simone’s storytelling throughout this arc has been methodical and absolutely gripping, switching between characters and key moments at just the right time to keep readers engaged and wanting more.

The flashbacks build on the history of mutants in the Marvel Universe, creating a strong parallel to Jim Crow-era segregation and racism by letting us follow a Black mutant named Lady Henrietta. This leads into the lore of the Haven House and the Penumbra, a special hell for those who betray their mutant family members.

But while Simone’s worldbuilding is great, the real heart of “Uncanny X-Men” lies in the characters, new and old. Issue #15 serves as a defining moment for the Outliers, especially Hotoru/Deathdream. It shows us how little he values himself, or at least how little he believes people value him, then brings the team together to show him he’s not alone. It sends the Outliers into a major fight without knowing if the other X-Men will be able to back them up – a key moment of growth for them.

Oh, and it advances a romance that the comic had been building up for the past several issues. Judging by the reactions on Bluesky, it’s safe to say it’s a long-awaited development.

Now let’s talk about the artwork. David Marquez provides the illustrations, with Matthew Wilson on the color work. Marquez’s artwork uses a detailed style with just a bit of grittiness to it, utilizing shadows and hatching to add volume to the characters and setting.

Marquez does excellent work on the characters and scenery alike. Each character has a distinct design that carries through in their body language, expressions, and action. The settings, meanwhile, flow between vague backgrounds to help the characters stand out and sharply detailed surroundings, based on the needs of the moment.

Shadows and darkness play a major role in the artwork for this issue, given the underworld the characters are entering. Wilson’s color work capitalizes on this, using dark shades and grays to make objects blend with and stand out from the shadows for excellent effect. This is often illuminated by glowing red, adding to the volume and atmosphere.

Of course, Wilson also makes good use of colors when the characters are in the light, making iconic shades like Nightcrawler’s blue and Rogue’s green and yellow shine.

“Uncanny X-Men” isn’t just one of the best X-Men comics out right now – it’s one of the best we’ve had in a while, and given the quality of many of the recent X-Men comics, that’s saying something. Gail Simone has lovingly crafted a story that develops and showcases fan-favorite characters while introducing a new group of mutants for readers to get invested in. All the while, David Marquez’s art and Matthew Wilson’s colors bring the story to vivid life, keeping readers hooked from page one.