Just when things didn’t look like they could get worse… The ride of the Four Horsemen of Salvation? The coming of X-Man? And…a return to the Age of Apocalypse? The weekly epic that threatens to leave the X-Men in tatters rolls on toward its explosive conclusion!

The X-Men are confused and doing what they can to protect individuals and stop the chaos X-Man is causing. But, what’s X-Man really thinking? Uncanny X-Men #5 reveals a bit more of what’s going on and why he’s kidnapped the individuals he has. Again, it’s an interesting twist to this event which gives a new spin on some old themes.

Writers Matthew Rosenberg, Kelly Thompson, and Ed Brisson have put together a story where you need to question what evil truly is. X-Man wants to create a world of peace, much like Apocalypse, and the two are coming from different directions to do just that. But, is X-Man evil? Is his act of peace an act of war? It’s an interesting concept and the trio make it more so with the echoes of a classic such as “Age of Apocalypse.”

They also up the desperation of this issue. We really feel like the odds are against the X-Men here as they go up against Magneto and Warren and the end of the issue delivers a hell of a turn with a nice horror tinge to it.

All of this is delivered with solid art by R.B. Silva, with ink by Adriano Di Benedetto, color by Rachelle Rosenberg, and lettering by Chris Eliopoulos. There’s a lot packed into this issue with some panels filled with characters and while there’s some slip of detail here and there, overall, it’s a solid issue where the art helps convey the emotion and desperation. Then there’s that last page… the team nailed it.

This is a good issue. It’s the moment of desperation of our heroes as they struggle to figure out what to do. The event continues a slight throwback vibe to it all that’s a nice welcome back for the Uncanny X-Men.

Story: Matthew Rosenberg, Kelly Thompson, Ed Brisson
Art: R.B. Silva Ink: Adriano Di Benedetto
Color: Rachelle Rosenberg Letterer: VC’s Chris Eliopoulos
Story: Art: Overall: Recommendation: Buy

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review