After the previous issue’s controversy, Uncanny X-Men #18 should also rile up readers as it’s filled team shaking events.

Writer Matthew Rosenberg delivers an issue filled with members quitting and lots of death. Seriously, there’s lots of death. Another X-Man and some villains, it’s all packed in an issue that feels a bit rushed and disjointed.

We now know that starting in July the X-line of comics will be shaken up again. That revelation makes it a bit clearer that Rosenberg is playing with his toys and a finite timeline. Things will change after and maybe some will be undone.

Uncanny X-Men #18 has multiple members quitting the team as things fall apart in multiple ways. The team crosses the line and outright murders villains. A team member dies. Another team member shows odd results from their powers. The issue and characters all seem very off.

Then we get to the end of the issue and it becomes much clearer. Uncanny X-Men #18, and this run, also becomes better in some ways too.

The art by Carlos Villa, with ink by Juan Vlasco and Craig Yeung and color by Guru-eFX is good as always. There’s some odd posses with characters but overall the issue is good visually. There’s absolutely missed opportunities for shock and impact but it overall has good character design and flow visually.

The issue is an odd one until you get to the end. Then, it all makes much more sense. But, the overall flow of the narrative is off here. Scenes don’t feel natural at times and there’s transitions missing in the story. The issue has its entertaining, and shocking, moments and now that things are clearer, it’s more exciting to see where this is all going.

Story: Matthew Rosenberg Art: Carlos Villa
Ink: Juan Vlasco, Craig Yeung Color: Guru-eFX Letterer: Joe Caramagna
Story: 7.0 Art: 7.0 Overall: 7.0 Recommendation: Read

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review