Era #10, Part 09: Hope (Uncanny X-Men)

Grade: A-

Chuck Austin starts his run in stellar fashion. There is a lot to unpack in this six-issue collection. We are introduced to Squid Boy, a young mutant who feels alone and outcast as a visible mutant in a small community. The sudden (and timely) appearance of the X-Men saves him from a suicide attempt. Juggernaut calls the X-Men for help in dealing with the uncontrolled power of his long-time friend, Black Tom Cassidy. We find a long-lost Havok in the care of Nurse Annie Ghazikhanian. She has fallen in love with him despite (or perhaps because of) his comatose. We also see Northstar join the team, and Nightcrawler questions his faith. 

There isn't much I didn't like this run. Both Juggernaut and Northstar join the X-Men with their own baggage. Juggernaut begins to deal with his own personal demons as an emotionally abused son, and Northstar's sexual orientation is integrated into the mythos without pandering. I also love how Squid Boy becomes attached to gruff Juggernaut. Nurse Annie's infatuation with an unresponsive patient is both disturbing and relatable. In every case, Chuck Austin infuses normal human realities into our superhuman heroes. 

[7-Stars] Uncanny X-Men (1963) #410

[7-Stars] Uncanny X-Men (1963) #411

[7-Stars] Uncanny X-Men (1963) #412

[7-Stars] Uncanny X-Men (1963) #413

[8-Stars] Uncanny X-Men (1963) #414

[5-Stars] Uncanny X-Men (1963) #415

Collected in Uncanny X-Men (Vol. 1): Hope

Era #10, Part 08: New Worlds (New X-Men)

Grade: B

The X-Men continue to deal with a new world in which being a mutant is more widely recognized but no less dangerous. This collection includes a few single-issue stories that deal with some specific topics. Xorn feels the sadness and fear of a new mutant's life-ending before he has the chance to fully blossom. The X-Men return to Genosha to help put to rest the souls of all those who died during Cassandra Nova's massacre. Wolverine helps a young woman (Dust) whose powers manifest during a traumatic experience in war-torn Afghanistan. 

It was a three-part story arc that really caught my attention during this run. We are introduced to Fantomex, Europe's most wanted mutant, gentleman thief. He feels like a better version what Gambit was supposed to be -- a mysterious criminal that keeps you guessing as to his motives and agenda (seriously, I still don't know). Fantomex is unapologetically realistic about how the world works (dare-i-say, "oh so French"), but he reveals a new twist to the X-Men mythos. Wolverine's Weapon X actually means that he is the tenth superweapon developed (Roman number X= 10). Fantomex is the thirteenth.

It is an interesting, non-stop joy ride. Not all of the stories resonate with me but enough to make this a good read.

[6-Stars] New X-Men (2001) #127
[7-Stars] New X-Men (2001) #128

[7-Stars] New X-Men (2001) #129

[7-Stars] New X-Men (2001) #130

[6-Stars] New X-Men (2001) #131

[5-Stars] New X-Men (2001) #132

[6-Stars] New X-Men (2001) #133

Collected in New X-Men (Vol. 3): New Worlds