Face ahead, true believers, and welcome back to The Marvel Compendium! In our first full wrap-up of 2025, here’s how we take a look at Marvel’s Merry Mutants Uncanny X-Men #8, Witness the launch of the latest series of the beloved X-Men Magic #1and then return to the ultimate universe Ultimate Black Panther #12,
The Beat wants to hear from you, true believers! Tell us what you thought of this week’s Marvel Comics! Give us a shout in the comments section below or on social media @comicsbeat or @comicsbeat.bsky.social and let us know what’s good and what’s not!
Uncanny X-Men #8
writer: Gail Simone
artist: Javier Gallen
Colorist: Matthew Wilson
Cover artist: David Marks and Matthew Wilson
Writer: Clayton Cowles, VC
The raid on Greymalkin ended at Uncanny X-Men #8. Two teams of X-Men rescued their captured teammates and confronted Warden Ellis. However, the reunion was all too brief as the schism between Rogue and Cyclops continued to widen.
Uncanny X-Men After this question started to form. Gail SimoneThe character writing is still very strong. The little interactions between characters are fun, such as the moments between Magik and Wolverine. We even get an in-depth look at the history of new telepathic character Scuvey. However, it’s Simon’s portrayal of Rogue that remains the most intriguing. Simone portrays her as a strong and determined leader who suffers from some degree of post-traumatic stress disorder. We see this in Rogue vs. Cyclops’s main point of contention, which is what to do about Gray Malkin Prison and Xavier.
Which brings me to the real problem with this Raid on Graymalkin crossover and the overall direction of X-ray, which is the forced conflict between Cyclops and Rogue, thus establishing the two ideological differences. The heat between the two characters is forced. It’s not that Simone or any of the writers got Rogue or Cyclops wrong, but they found a point of contention and turned it up to 11. Tom Breevort’s work creates internal conflict with some sort of anti-Krakoa aspiration.
As for art. Javier Gallen Kill it on this issue. This is a visually pleasing comic. The character models and energy are top-notch, both on the ground and in the astral battle between Xavier and Scurvy. There’s a two-page spread during the title drop of the issue that’s probably one of the best two-page spreads I’ve ever seen in comics. It’s great to use the reds and pinks in the concentric circles radiating out from the scurvy and incorporate the title into the circles.
I can’t help but feel that Raid on Graymalkin was unnecessary, or at least felt premature in its relaunch, especially in the context of the Uncanny X-Men books. McKay’s X-Men has had time to start fleshing out its characters, focusing less on long-form stories and more on short stories within a story. “Uncanny” begins the series with a 5-part arc, and the last part feels rushed. There isn’t enough time to explore some of the themes Simon is playing with. I find the points of contention less interesting and feel like a rehash of the last major schism in the Utopia era.
The future of the X-Men franchise looks even less exciting. Last week, in my Top 10 Marvel Comics of 2024 article, I argued that the X-Men as a whole have felt a bit aimless and lacking spark since Brevoort took over. It’s not that the book is bad. Most of them are good, but being good doesn’t make me rush out and read these comics every week. Nothing in the X-Men series made me read these comics in the parking lot of the LCS. Then there’s the recently announced X-Manhunt event, which will crossover with seven titles and feature two bookend one-shots. I feel like I speak for a lot of X fans when I say “Bleh.” I love X books, but few of them spark great joy.
Running out fast!
-
Magic #1 Magic #1
- Like many people, I started to like Magik when Brian Bendis incorporated it into his work. Uncanny X-Men run and Chris Bachalo redesigned the character, complete with a sleek leather costume, goth horns, and an anime giant sword. This quiet, tough girl with a dark past and a scar on her shoulder is immediately likable. I can’t say that I’m very familiar with her publishing history, although it is winding and full of speculation. But over the past decade, I’ve seen highlights and loved her presence. I particularly like Ashley Allen written Blood HunsThis is a one-off, which gives Magik its mission to protect the vulnerable. With superb Peralta, Germany Art-wise, this new mini(?) series is a rarity in the vast expanse of X-Men comics, and even though I don’t have a master’s degree in X-Men lore, I’m really excited. Allen does an excellent job of presenting the highlights of Illyana Rasputina’s life while transporting you into a new adventure. Putting the spotlight on laconic and reserved characters can often cause them to lose their charm by giving them too much to say, but Allen’s script lets us into Illyana’s inner life while she continues to distance herself from everyone else . It’s a good balance. Peralta’s art is dark and gritty, and the action looks great. Arthur Hesli brings an otherworldly glow to the book, filled with orange hellfire and eerie magenta spells. Ariana MaherThe font brings to life the tension between Magik and her inner demons. Thankfully, the plot involves witchcraft and demons, taking advantage of what makes the character unique to the X-Men and adding something different from the rest of the series. It’s a solid debut novel that, while occasionally a bit too much, has me excited to read more of Magik – both new adventures and old ones. –TR
- Ultimate Black Panther #12
-
Ultimate Black Panther #12 When the Marvel Rundown team held a roundtable about the first year of this new Ultimate Universe, which writer did I give the ball to Brian Hill is doing with The ultimate Black Panther. Black Panther has the same ticking clock as the rest of the Ultimate series, but has been focused on Black Panther, Wakanda, and the larger Vibranium mythos. The Creator chooses Lord Ra and Lord Kongshu to oversee Africa, with the only exception being Wakanda, making this a story of discovery as the two sides move from a cold war to open hostilities, leading to Issue 12 between Black Panther and Lord Kongshu ’s counterpoint to his Moon Knight persona. Along the way, Hill has given us new perspectives on characters like Storm, Killmonger, the Sorcerer Supreme, and Black Panther, and is uniquely positioned to explore T’Challa’s relationship with the court, vibranium, and Africa. For this question, and for much of this run, Stefano Caselliart and color artist David Currier Bring pages to life with a comic-like aesthetic, dramatic close-ups, and energetic action. I can only imagine that Hill’s choice to keep the Makers plotline very far back means that when it does come out, the stakes will be even higher, and I can’t wait. –GC3
-
Next week, Ultimate Wolverine makes his full appearance, and Captain America is somehow a snake!
