Era #10, Part 18: She Lies With Angels (Uncanny X-Men)

Grade: D

Did we really need another take on Romeo & Juliet? Chuck Austen forces it in this tale that reflects the worst stereotypes of Kentucky. The Guthrie family (think Cannonball and Husk) has a long-standing feud with the richer Capulet -- sorry,  Cabot -- family. Over the years, the Cabots launched several attempts to kill the Guthries, and their latest attempt utilizes abandoned anti-mutant technology. Meanwhile, Julia Cabot falls in love with Josh Guthrie. Apparently, neither of them knew the last name of the other despite their established family feud in a very small town. 

This is not only a forced interpretation of Shakespeare, it is an incredulous X-Men story. It doesn't get any better by adding the melodrama (and public, areal sex scene) between 19-year-old Husk and a much older Angel or a bigotted town sheriff who pines for the woman he agreed to kill.

[5-Stars] Uncanny X-Men (1963) #437
[5-Stars] Uncanny X-Men (1963) #438
[5-Stars] Uncanny X-Men (1963) #439
[5-Stars] Uncanny X-Men (1963) #440
[5-Stars] Uncanny X-Men (1963) #441

Collected in Uncanny X-Men (Vol. 5): She Lies With Angels