Uncanny X-Men #30

By Brian Michael Bendis, Chris Bachalo and Tim Townsend

Last issue of Uncanny X-Men left many fans wondering if the deaths of Cyclops, Magik and Matthew Malloy would stick or if they would be returned to life this issue. The answer to that question is, a little. There is a resurrection in this issue but it may not be who you think.

This series has really taken a slow burn approach to story telling.  It seems like Brian Michael Bendis has been writing this arc forever. One of the main problems with this issue is odd characterization. Eva, who used to have a huge crush on Cyclops, is now very down on him. She goes so far as to say that he will be her ex-teacher some day, possibly implying she’ll leave his school because of differences. There is also a disjointed Charles Xavier. Bendis writes him decent, but there are some questionable lines, he even states that Eva has ruined his life. This feels a bit out of place among the issue, especially for someone like Xavier. On a positive note, Eva continues to grow as a very intriguing character and she is truly the best of the bunch of Bendis’ new creations. The interaction between the two X-schools was also pretty good this issue, although it would have been nice if storm was able to finish her sentence before being interrupted.

The art this issue is handled by Chris Bachalo with colors by Bachalo and Antonio Fabela. Bachalo does a better job this issue than he has previously, but there are still some off panels that lack many details. Bachalo has gotten a pretty good grip on drawing Eva, which is great, and she looks very good in this issue. The panels where a character is resurrected from bones is done well too. Bachalo allows us a few panels to see the character re-form, which is cool. This is one of Bachalo’s better issues on the title; he’s capable of very good work when he’s not rushed.

We’re ready to move on from this story arc, and we still haven’t finished Xavier’s will. Bendis has done some good things with this series, but this issue could have been better. Chris Bachalo had some nice pencils this issue and hopefully he will continue to draw like the pro that he is. The X-Men may not be united at the moment, but nothing brings people together like a resurrection.