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worstblogever · 08-12-2009, 01:24 PM

Uncanny X-Men #514
Utopia Part Four

Bet you're expecting me to bring out a lot of the same little haranguing criticisms I have for Matt Fraction, huh?

A few are still there, but by and large, things still are improving.

Again, Uncanny, after a dismal Sisterhood arc, and the so-so trip into the past (I like Steampunk stuff, Beast, and the Hellfire Club I couldn't not like that... but that's just me), Utopia was sprung on us, and thus far, it's been the best X-Men/Avengers crossover (well, if you count the Dark Avengers as actual Avengers) since Bloodties, easily. And no, I'm not forgetting Onslaught.

Simon Trask, our nano-tech or t/o Sentinel threat has sprung free at a San Francisco hospital, and has sent forth his own minions to convert as many humans as possible to his cause, and with that army, he'll wipe out any mutants he comes across. Subtlety has gone out the window, and his message is being broadcast on the nightly news.

Scott realizes Emma and the Dark X-Men are after this threat, Norman's telegraphed his moves too much. So, he's got a multi-pronged attack in place that will win the hearts and minds of the public, as well as the battle. Catch is, outside of the "Fraptions" we're given for four of his operatives (nagging criticism #1) aren't the most reflective. Fraptions are like ADD thoughts now, which with Domino suddenly being OCD, and Mindee Cuckoo suddenly being retconned into Irma, well... they're just slightly a distraction. At best, it's funny that Dani Moonstar gets "depowered mutant, deposed Valkyrie", which is a neat 4 word summation of her deal without stereotyping her by race only. Bravo for that. Psylocke... well, how do you make a Fraption of Psylocke's deal, really?

Just when Domino's OCD starts to jump to the page, and we're given character moments with Betsy and Cyke (who aren't Beast, Emma, or Scott... other characters in the limelight!) Scott takes it back to be the big damned leader. That's frustrating, but it was fun while it lasted. Short version? Domino's to meet up with Logan and X-Force for their own op. Dani's going to Vegas for... an obligatory WAIT AND SEE, it seems. Betsy's going out with her new Science Squad pals. And Mindee/Irma is to get arrested. Scott, meanwhile, is leading his own team out in public.

Everybody got that?

Now, that was the preview pitch. And it's promising to see because:

The whole "Toy Chest" Matt Fraction has it his disposal might actually get used. It has me excited, at least. And some of the rest of the issue reflects that.

Next up, some panels that are good/bad. Remember the superbrawl that was going to break out between the whole of the Dark Avengers and Dark X-Men? Well, it ends up just being a two-man pissing contest between Daken and Hawk/Bullseye. That's it. Dodson's art in this fight is clear, and shows a lot of energy, and of course, they have the leather catsuit Emma Frost break it up. 3 pages. No love for the rest of that crew.

And you think, just like always... only Scott and Emma get to do anything.

Not so.

Emma leads her team out, sure, but there's actually, I s*** you not, a telling, revealing character moment for each member of the Dark X-Men during their confrontation with Trask's Zombi-Sentinels. Namor is haughty. Cloak and Dagger are tired of running, and have a tender moment. Daken is an angry young man (again). Mimic's trying to be a professional, until he's confronted by a embittered, crazed Weapon Omega (who comes off like Animal Mother from Full Metal Jacket, and I love him for it).

He did all of that in four pages. Without a single FRAPTION! Where the hell was this writer the past year?

And sure, we get an obligatory Pixie dialogue with Cyclops. She's a favorite. She gets panel time even if it's irrelevant (critical backslide, there).

Dani gets into Vegas, where someone powerful is expecting her at a casino. And the door to his office reads, "Lasciate ogni Speranza Voi Ch'entrate" which for those not fluent in Italian means, "Abandon all hope, ye who enter". Who's the mystery guy/gal? WAIT AND SEE, sadly. But it is intriguing, and Dani comes off very strong here. Liked that.

Cyclops has his team watch Emma's Dark X-Men while they battle, but not particpate for fear of arrest. Each of them fights their foes solo, for the most part, and he deems that they will use team tactics/combo powers to defeat them, at some point. This squad, for the record, is Armor, Colossus, Iceman, Dazzler (her one line is "Man, these guys are good"), Northstar and Pixie (the power "gay symbols of power" trio are all there!). Iceman points out even if they beat Emma's team, how will they beat the Dark Avengers when they show up?

And Scott smiles, because he's got a whole other squad to do that. Again, positive thing. Scott has balls of solid rock during Utopia.

X-Force meets up with Wolverine and their new guest pal... Magik. She's helping them teleport (since Vanisher is MIA, still, I suppose) and mount a rescue from Alcatraz.

And the science squad? They're in an underwater sub, with a five hour install at a sub-aquatic station that will... Oh. WAIT AND SEE.

./Thoughts: 7.5/10There's a few nagging details that make this thing not "epic", but certainly cool. There's a lot of promise shown, to be sure.

Off panel usage:
Good: We're left to wonder what happened to Beast and Xavier, rather than a page being spent showing, "Yup, he looks lousier". THAT is how off-panel stuff should happen.
Bad: Most of whatever tussle that was supposed to happen with the DA and DXM charging each other last issue was left to be just Daken/Bullseye. A bit disappointing. But not nearly as glaring as how much of the Sisterhood/X-Men battle that happened off panel.

Fraptions:
Bad: The OCD Domino thing is odd.
Good: Only four, and they were gotten rid of early in the issue. Not too distracting from the rest of a good story.

Characterization:
Bad: I guess if anything, the sheer number of people meant that some favorites like Ali, Bobby, Piotr and the like didn't get as much love that they could have. BUT!
Good: Cloak and Dagger finally got to look real, real good. So did all of the Dark X-Men. And this story is supposed to feature them a bit, so that's important. We also got some Dani Moonstar/Psylocke love.

Art:
Bad: Dodson loves cheesecake, so if you hate cheesecake, there's some glam shots you might take issue with.
Good:Dodson did great on this issue. The girls all got to look hot, sure, but there is a fair amount of brawling with robots in here. It might not be visceral gore like in X-Force, and more like classic X-Men: TAS fights (you'd think if they were human a few minutes earlier, there might be some blood or flesh, but meh), but it's a nice issue.

WAIT AND SEES:
Bad: If you hate being teased with things to come, the dangling subplots for the next few chapters will chafe you.
Good: Being teased with Ilyana, Dani, and the Science Squad led by Psylocke, not Beast? Plus a whole squad for the Dark Avengers that's yet to be revealed? I'm down with that. I don't need instant gratification. It's just good plot hooks for the middle chapter, building to the conclusion.

Final Thought:

This really is what you'd want the middle act of a 7 act play to go like. You can feel momentum changing, and things building to what could easily be a satifying (or disappointing, if you're humbugging this) climax. I'm on board for the rest, and starting to see the Matt Fraction that impresses me on other titles.

Just don't make him pair up with Greg Land too much, Marvel. That guy's an albatross to good storytelling.

And that's all I got to say about that.

AcesX1X · 08-12-2009, 01:31 PM

dani is meeting hela.

darknessatnoon · 08-12-2009, 01:32 PM

How can I trust a review that gets the issue number wrong?

mimic_616 · 08-12-2009, 01:38 PM

Glad to hear things are picking up for this crossover, despite my pouting over the lack of panel time for Mimic.

Although I should be greatful he's getting ANY panel time really!

Quote:

Originally Posted by darknessatnoon

How can I trust a review that gets the issue number wrong?

Ha.

worstblogever · 08-12-2009, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darknessatnoon

How can I trust a review that gets the issue number wrong?

Come on. I'll fix it. Besides, you don't trust anyone, anyway.

worstblogever · 08-12-2009, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mimic_616

Glad to hear things are picking up for this crossover, despite my pouting over the lack of panel time for Mimic.

Although I should be greatful he's getting ANY panel time really!

I know, as far as Mimic goes, this issue was the most he's been given in years. He also whipped out with the ice and wings. Dodson made him look good, and like he's wrapped tighter than say... Weapon Omega.

AcesX1X · 08-12-2009, 01:41 PM

why is the entrance to hell in las vegas?

nevermind. don't answer that question.

Askani's Flame · 08-12-2009, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AcesX1X

dani is meeting hela.

Hela does put on quite a show there.

RoguishGurl · 08-12-2009, 01:46 PM

This issue was really good. I'm really enjoying Utopia. I love how tactical Scott is. And X-23 sounded right this time and was actually in character.

worstblogever · 08-12-2009, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AcesX1X

why is the entrance to hell in las vegas?

nevermind. don't answer that question.

I'm sorry, I gotta field this one for a second... didn't Incredible Hercules just reveal that Hades was working out of an Atlantic City casino?

Might be an odd bit of continuity with that title. Or maybe it's just a sign on a door. I dunno.

wolvie616 · 08-12-2009, 01:49 PM

how much do you want to bet that dani is going into pluto's casino to ressurect alpha flight? :P

AcesX1X · 08-12-2009, 01:49 PM

whatever. i hope she gets her death-eyes back.

worstblogever · 08-12-2009, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolvie616

how much do you want to bet that dani is going into pluto's casino to ressurect alpha flight? :P

I'd bet your life on it.

Filthy Mutie · 08-12-2009, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by worstblogever

I'm sorry, I gotta field this one for a second... didn't Incredible Hercules just reveal that Hades was working out of an Atlantic City casino?

Might be an odd bit of continuity with that title. Or maybe it's just a sign on a door. I dunno.

I think Hela is still in Vegas at this point in Thor.

Could also be Fantomex for no other reason than I want to see Fantomex.

DeniseXfrost · 08-12-2009, 01:51 PM

It's amazing how much Fraction's improved.

Magik is great addition. I thought she was the cuckoo at first.

08-12-2009, 01:46 PM	#9
RoguishGurl Back Up Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 15,836	This issue was really good. I'm really enjoying Utopia. I love how tactical Scott is. And X-23 sounded right this time and was actually in character. __________________ X-23\|ROGUE\|EMMA FROST\|ARCHANGEL\|HOPE SUMMERS\|PIXIE\|SPIDER-WOMAN\|DAKEN\|HELLION\|ELIXIR

08-12-2009, 01:49 PM	#11
wolvie616 Japenese Pizza Hut Join Date: May 2008 Location: San Antonio, texas Posts: 9,282	how much do you want to bet that dani is going into pluto's casino to ressurect alpha flight? :P __________________ Scott Brown.He says it's the people's seat

08-12-2009, 01:51 PM	#15
DeniseXfrost Dark whore. Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Frostitute. Posts: 4,091	It's amazing how much Fraction's improved. Magik is great addition. I thought she was the cuckoo at first. __________________ "Let's talk about biology, make believe you're next to me Phonography, phonograhy,Talk that sexy-talk to me Better make sure that the line is free Keep it confidential you and me Phonography, phonography, Dirty-talking call it phonography"

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08-12-2009, 01:24 PM	#1
worstblogever Magnificent Bastard Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 29,657	Uncanny X-Men #514 Review (SPOILERS) 4 REAL THIS TIME- Uncanny X-Men #514 Utopia Part Four Bet you're expecting me to bring out a lot of the same little haranguing criticisms I have for Matt Fraction, huh? A few are still there, but by and large, things still are improving. Again, Uncanny, after a dismal Sisterhood arc, and the so-so trip into the past (I like Steampunk stuff, Beast, and the Hellfire Club I couldn't not like that... but that's just me), Utopia was sprung on us, and thus far, it's been the best X-Men/Avengers crossover (well, if you count the Dark Avengers as actual Avengers) since Bloodties, easily. And no, I'm not forgetting Onslaught. Simon Trask, our nano-tech or t/o Sentinel threat has sprung free at a San Francisco hospital, and has sent forth his own minions to convert as many humans as possible to his cause, and with that army, he'll wipe out any mutants he comes across. Subtlety has gone out the window, and his message is being broadcast on the nightly news. Scott realizes Emma and the Dark X-Men are after this threat, Norman's telegraphed his moves too much. So, he's got a multi-pronged attack in place that will win the hearts and minds of the public, as well as the battle. Catch is, outside of the "Fraptions" we're given for four of his operatives (nagging criticism #1) aren't the most reflective. Fraptions are like ADD thoughts now, which with Domino suddenly being OCD, and Mindee Cuckoo suddenly being retconned into Irma, well... they're just slightly a distraction. At best, it's funny that Dani Moonstar gets "depowered mutant, deposed Valkyrie", which is a neat 4 word summation of her deal without stereotyping her by race only. Bravo for that. Psylocke... well, how do you make a Fraption of Psylocke's deal, really? Just when Domino's OCD starts to jump to the page, and we're given character moments with Betsy and Cyke (who aren't Beast, Emma, or Scott... other characters in the limelight!) Scott takes it back to be the big damned leader. That's frustrating, but it was fun while it lasted. Short version? Domino's to meet up with Logan and X-Force for their own op. Dani's going to Vegas for... an obligatory WAIT AND SEE, it seems. Betsy's going out with her new Science Squad pals. And Mindee/Irma is to get arrested. Scott, meanwhile, is leading his own team out in public. Everybody got that? Now, that was the preview pitch. And it's promising to see because: The whole "Toy Chest" Matt Fraction has it his disposal might actually get used. It has me excited, at least. And some of the rest of the issue reflects that. Next up, some panels that are good/bad. Remember the superbrawl that was going to break out between the whole of the Dark Avengers and Dark X-Men? Well, it ends up just being a two-man pissing contest between Daken and Hawk/Bullseye. That's it. Dodson's art in this fight is clear, and shows a lot of energy, and of course, they have the leather catsuit Emma Frost break it up. 3 pages. No love for the rest of that crew. And you think, just like always... only Scott and Emma get to do anything. Not so. Emma leads her team out, sure, but there's actually, I s*** you not, a telling, revealing character moment for each member of the Dark X-Men during their confrontation with Trask's Zombi-Sentinels. Namor is haughty. Cloak and Dagger are tired of running, and have a tender moment. Daken is an angry young man (again). Mimic's trying to be a professional, until he's confronted by a embittered, crazed Weapon Omega (who comes off like Animal Mother from Full Metal Jacket, and I love him for it). He did all of that in four pages. Without a single FRAPTION! Where the hell was this writer the past year? And sure, we get an obligatory Pixie dialogue with Cyclops. She's a favorite. She gets panel time even if it's irrelevant (critical backslide, there). Dani gets into Vegas, where someone powerful is expecting her at a casino. And the door to his office reads, "Lasciate ogni Speranza Voi Ch'entrate" which for those not fluent in Italian means, "Abandon all hope, ye who enter". Who's the mystery guy/gal? WAIT AND SEE, sadly. But it is intriguing, and Dani comes off very strong here. Liked that. Cyclops has his team watch Emma's Dark X-Men while they battle, but not particpate for fear of arrest. Each of them fights their foes solo, for the most part, and he deems that they will use team tactics/combo powers to defeat them, at some point. This squad, for the record, is Armor, Colossus, Iceman, Dazzler (her one line is "Man, these guys are good"), Northstar and Pixie (the power "gay symbols of power" trio are all there!). Iceman points out even if they beat Emma's team, how will they beat the Dark Avengers when they show up? And Scott smiles, because he's got a whole other squad to do that. Again, positive thing. Scott has balls of solid rock during Utopia. X-Force meets up with Wolverine and their new guest pal... Magik. She's helping them teleport (since Vanisher is MIA, still, I suppose) and mount a rescue from Alcatraz. And the science squad? They're in an underwater sub, with a five hour install at a sub-aquatic station that will... Oh. WAIT AND SEE. ./Thoughts: 7.5/10There's a few nagging details that make this thing not "epic", but certainly cool. There's a lot of promise shown, to be sure. Off panel usage: Good: We're left to wonder what happened to Beast and Xavier, rather than a page being spent showing, "Yup, he looks lousier". THAT is how off-panel stuff should happen. Bad: Most of whatever tussle that was supposed to happen with the DA and DXM charging each other last issue was left to be just Daken/Bullseye. A bit disappointing. But not nearly as glaring as how much of the Sisterhood/X-Men battle that happened off panel. Fraptions: Bad: The OCD Domino thing is odd. Good: Only four, and they were gotten rid of early in the issue. Not too distracting from the rest of a good story. Characterization: Bad: I guess if anything, the sheer number of people meant that some favorites like Ali, Bobby, Piotr and the like didn't get as much love that they could have. BUT! Good: Cloak and Dagger finally got to look real, real good. So did all of the Dark X-Men. And this story is supposed to feature them a bit, so that's important. We also got some Dani Moonstar/Psylocke love. Art: Bad: Dodson loves cheesecake, so if you hate cheesecake, there's some glam shots you might take issue with. Good:Dodson did great on this issue. The girls all got to look hot, sure, but there is a fair amount of brawling with robots in here. It might not be visceral gore like in X-Force, and more like classic X-Men: TAS fights (you'd think if they were human a few minutes earlier, there might be some blood or flesh, but meh), but it's a nice issue. WAIT AND SEES: Bad: If you hate being teased with things to come, the dangling subplots for the next few chapters will chafe you. Good: Being teased with Ilyana, Dani, and the Science Squad led by Psylocke, not Beast? Plus a whole squad for the Dark Avengers that's yet to be revealed? I'm down with that. I don't need instant gratification. It's just good plot hooks for the middle chapter, building to the conclusion. Final Thought: This really is what you'd want the middle act of a 7 act play to go like. You can feel momentum changing, and things building to what could easily be a satifying (or disappointing, if you're humbugging this) climax. I'm on board for the rest, and starting to see the Matt Fraction that impresses me on other titles. Just don't make him pair up with Greg Land too much, Marvel. That guy's an albatross to good storytelling. And that's all I got to say about that. __________________ CBR's Cerebra:Marvel Mutant Tracker Updated every Tuesday. X-Poster of the Month: December 2007 --- the best there is at what i do --- Last edited by worstblogever; 08-13-2009 at 03:38 PM.

08-12-2009, 01:31 PM	#2
AcesX1X ♠♠♠ Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: NYC Posts: 10,594	dani is meeting hela.

08-12-2009, 01:32 PM	#3
darknessatnoon Zebra Daddy Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: The Hindu Kush Posts: 26,766	How can I trust a review that gets the issue number wrong?

08-12-2009, 01:41 PM	#7
AcesX1X ♠♠♠ Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: NYC Posts: 10,594	why is the entrance to hell in las vegas? nevermind. don't answer that question.