Sign Up | Log In

Write a Review
Post a Quick Tip
Create a List
Ask a Question
Create a Poll
Create a Community

Movies •Books •Music •Food •Tv Shows •Technology •Politics •Video Games •Parenting •Fashion •Green Living •more >

Lunch » Tags » Books » Reviews » Marvel Masterworks: The Uncanny X-Men Vol. 2

Marvel Masterworks: The Uncanny X-Men Vol. 2

1 rating: 4.0

Marvel TPB

The X-Men are a superhero team in the Marvel Comics Universe. They were created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby, and first appeared in The X-Men #1 (September 1963). The basic concept of the X-Men is that under a cloud of increasing anti-mutant … see full wiki

Tags: Books, Comics, Marvel

1 review about Marvel Masterworks: The Uncanny X-Men Vol....

Showing 1-1 of 1

Sort by:

Enter: The Phoenix.

Oct 30, 2011

by Madpenguin
posted in Speech Bubbles: Comics & Graphic Novels

Rating:

Professor Charles Xavier is a mutant born with the ability to read minds. Mutants are people who are born with special powers such as telekinesis or control over the magnetic field. Some are born with abnormal characteristics that stand out amongst normal people, such as wings sprouting from their back or over sized limbs.

Professor Xavier is the headmaster of a school that teaches mutants how to control their powers. A group consisting of five students under his tutelage form the X-Men. Their purpose is to put a stop to mutants who use their powers for evil purposes.

Previous Volume:

The Uncanny X-Men Volume One: New Deadly Genesis

The Uncanny X-Men Volume Two: Enter The Phoenix -

After barely surviving the battle against Dr. Lang and the X-Sentinels. The X-Men are still under intense pressure when Jean Grey emerges from the river in a completely changed state. Professor X orders the team to take a vacation in the Banshee's castle known as Cassidey Keep, while Jean recovers in the hospital. Later, the X-Men are victims of multiple attacks, and Professor X learns that the visions in his dreams are indeed real, and the entire universe could be in danger. -summary

Written by Chris Claremont and Bill Mantlo, The Uncanny X-Men Volume 2 continues to move forward at a steady pace. This volume seems to be far more action oriented. The team is under constant attack from new, yet old villains, and their lack of experience leads to numerous defeats. The writing is still very strong, which is due to things like character and plot development not being forsaken.

The plot in this volume becomes far more clear, and it's packed with suspense as well as unpredictable plot twist. At first, it does seem to follow a repetitive formula by introducing one very powerful villain after the next. However, these battles are so well done that the formulaic storytelling can be overlooked somewhat. These high impact battles take place against familiar X-Men foes such as The Unstoppable Juggernaut, who goes one on one with Colossus, as well as the Master of Magnetism Magneto, but I think the battle that truly came out of left field had to be the confrontation with Firelord, who happens to be a former herald of the world devourer Galactus. At times, the battles are just too cool.

The action really doesn't stop there, the X-Men soon find themselves facing impossible odds when they go up against the inter-galactic Shiar Empire. The battles are fierce and the writer found a way to stick in a tad bit of comedy that actually works. The plot is laid out well for the most part, with one setting being shifted to another flawlessly, due to plot elements making complete sense. There are also subplots taking place to create the setting for newer stories.

The character development is a mixed bag this time around. In regards to the X-Men, the reader will learn a few more things about some of the characters, and others begin to break their mold. Most notably, Wolverine begins to creep out of his shell a little and tries to be a little more social. On the negative side, the newer villains and their motives are poorly handled. Even though the entire universe was at stake, things never felt as terrible as they should have, due to the lack of character development on the villains part.

This particular portion of the series is mainly remembered because it begins a Marvel Milestone called the Phoenix Saga. After revisiting the series again after so many years. I believe the TV series did a much better job fleshing out the story. The TV series even handled the filler better, because it felt more like rehashed material here.

The artwork is still just as good as the previous volume. The character designs are still very good, and the action panels are easy to follow even when the pages are over crowded with action. The fan service is very tame, with the females drawn and presented in good taste.

This time around, the book doesn't end on a cliffhanger, and the main story is tied up very early. However, the subplots foreshadow the events soon to come, and there's a feeling that something big is going to take place. Overall, this is a solid collection of stories that should appeal to fans of the series, and non fans shouldn't have much trouble getting into it, but I highly recommend reading the previous volume first for a better understanding of the story.

These are the chapters taking place over 180 pages:

The X-Men #101 October 1976
"Like a Phoenix, From the Ashes!"

The X-Men #102 December 1976
"Who Will Stop the Juggernaut?"

The X-Men #103 February 1977
"The Fall of the Tower"

The X-Men #104 April 1977
"The Gentleman's Name is Magneto"

The X-Men #105 June 1977
"Phoenix Unleashed!"

The X-Men #106 August 1977
"Dark Shroud of the Past!"

The X-Men #107 October 1977
"Where No X-Man Has Gone Before!"

The X-Men #108 December 1977
"Armageddon Now!"

The X-Men #109 February 1978
"Home are the Heroes!"

The X-Men #110 April 1978
"The 'X' Sanction

Pros:
-Lots of action, many villains, plot conclusions, more character development

Cons:
-Some parts feel rushed, sloppy development for villains

What did you think of this review?

Helpful

Thought-Provoking

Fun to Read

Well-Organized

Post a Comment

FM_ALEX November 06, 2011

Honestly man this is some of the greatest X-Men stories ever in these volumes.

Madpenguin November 06, 2011

Yes it is, and a lot of fans acknowledge Claremont's run as the best and it's hard to argue that opinion.

show text editor

reply to this comment

Follow this review

Count_Orlok_22 October 31, 2011

The Phoenix and Dark Phoenix story arcs are perhaps my favorite in the entire history of X-Men and probably my favorite story arc to be adapted into the animated series.

Madpenguin October 31, 2011

I can't really think of any better story arcs myself. Inferno would be a runner up but it stretched into so many other titles along with the Mutant Massacre. I need to read those two again just to be sure.

show text editor

reply to this comment

Follow this review

woopak_the_thrill October 30, 2011

Great day in the morning! Great coffee and your reviews to read! This time after the emergence of Phoenix, I felt that the series started more building, whereas the first volume was more about catching up. I cannot remember where Phoenix took on Magneto one on one, but due to her inexpereinced she lost control...I remember Ororo picking those locks too. I need to pull my issues...hey, do these new "masterworks" in color? I know Essentials were black and white....

Madpenguin October 30, 2011

Thanks for that man. I actually feel like grabbing me a muffin right now.

The Phoenix character was definitely a necessary change for Jean, I remember finding her character way too damn boring. She took on Magneto much later afer this, but she didn't lose control, instead, she learned that her power actually had limits.

And yeah, the entire Masterwork's line are in color. In all honesty, I wouldn't bother with them if they weren't. Which is why I skipped the Essential Shadowhawk by Image.

woopak_the_thrill October 30, 2011

I had a good time last night. Thanks, I need to buy collections for reading purposes, can't ruin the actual issues since they are valuable than TPB's.

show text editor

reply to this comment

Follow this review