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Marvel Comics
Uncanny X-Men #495
By Patrick Bérubé
Feb 12, 2008 - 9:15:33 AM

Marvel Comics
Writer(s): Ed Brubaker
Penciller(s): Mike Choi
Inker(s): Mike Choi
Cover Artist(s): Mike Choi

In the aftermath of Messiah Complex, the founding father of the X-Men, Charles Xavier, is presumed dead. For the first time in his life Cyclops, the leader of the team, finds himself without direction, without someone to show him the path. That’s why he decides to take some time off in the Savage Land with Emma Frost, his girlfriend, to ponder his future and to rethink Xavier’s dream of man/mutant cohabitation. Meanwhile Wolverine, Nightcrawler and Colossus travel in Europe towards Russia, Colossus' homeland. But all this is interrupted when Angel leaves a strange message claiming that a whole area of San Francisco is still stuck in the 60’…

My first reaction with this comic book was a bit of a letdown. Why did I need to see again and again Wolverine fighting in a bar, Nightcrawler visiting a church and be reminded that Colossus is an artist? Then I understood. Not everyone like me has been following this title for the last decade. It’s good, after a while, to reintroduce the characters so new readers can jump onboard. Especially after a commercially and critically successful crossover like Messiah Complex was. What I really had a problem with was the cheesy “Scott and Emma’s Savage Land adventure vacation”. Two pages of the happy couple's best moments in this wild corner of the globe was a bit too much for me. Especially with the new characterization of Emma Frost which contrasts highly with what we have seen of her so far.

On the other hand, the art is really the redeeming quality of this issue. To my knowledge, it was Mike Choi’s first time on the title and he did a great job depicting the various team members. It’s also nice to see an artist ink their own work. It gives a sense of continuity and uniformity on each page. Obak’s colors are also a big stand out. They really help Choi’s art shine properly and it gives it an extra layer of complexity.

An overall good comic book that serves two main goals – a rest after a huge crossover and a launching pad for new reader, as well as the last stretch before the 500^th issue landmark. I find it important to mention to new readers that this is not Ed Brukaker's best issue or even his best series. He is capable of a lot more than that, so don’t judge him solely on this single effort.

I give this book 7 out of 10

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