Comic Review: Uncanny X-Men #5 – A Beautiful, Chaotic End to the First Act

 

The new chapter of Uncanny X-Men, helmed by Gail Simone and David Marquez, has aimed to reinvent the franchise from its very first issue — both narratively and visually. Issue #5 wraps up the series’ opening arc, delivering equal parts emotion and controversy. On the one hand, it offers stunning visuals, gripping dialogue, and strong character moments. On the other, it suffers from a sense of rushed pacing and underdeveloped subplots. Despite the mixed feelings, it’s hard to deny this issue's distinct personality and — perhaps most importantly — its heart.

Color and Form

Let’s begin with what’s undeniably excellent: the visual storytelling. David Marquez draws like he’s been possessed by inspiration, and Matthew Wilson’s colors paint the emotion into every scene. The result is nothing short of spectacular — dynamic yet clear panels, expressive color palettes, and striking composition choices turn this issue into a visual celebration. The showdown against Sarah’s monstrous horde feels straight out of a high-budget animated film — fluid motion, cinematic flair, and genuine atmosphere. Just look at Gambit unleashing the Eye of Agamotto in a burst of vivid green, or the intense orange glow around Calico — these visuals hit not only aesthetically, but emotionally.

Special praise must be given to Rogue’s updated costume design — sensuous yet functional, and packed with personality. Marquez clearly understands her not just as an icon, but as a woman carrying emotional weight. Whenever she’s on the page, your eyes follow.

Dialogue as Blade and Mirror

Gail Simone is well-known for writing characters that feel real, and Uncanny X-Men #5 reaffirms that skill. Every line — whether it’s Wolverine fighting blindfolded or Jubilee narrating a scene — has its own rhythm and tone. One standout moment? Rogue correcting her own pronunciation during an internal monologue. It’s subtle, but says so much — about her, and about the human, grounded approach this series is taking.

Simone’s trademark humor is also present in all the right places. Jokes about Gambit and his collectible cards, Wolverine’s blunt logic, and even Logan casually dropping references to villainous STDs — yes, that happened — provide levity without undermining the drama.

But Then... the Chaos Hits

Unfortunately, for all the emotional impact and visual brilliance, the story starts to crack under the weight of too many plotlines. Sarah ends up more of a tragic figure than a true villain, but her arc feels abrupt — lacking context, tension-building, and narrative progression. Similarly, the Outliers — a new generation of mutants — are suddenly thrust into the spotlight, yet remain poorly defined. Jitters stands out, sure, but the rest? Just names and powers, without emotional stakes.

The final act feels surprisingly... random. The battle, the decisions, even the heartfelt moment with Harvey X — all of it should land harder, but due to rushed execution, it loses some of its intended weight. It’s as if three episodes of a TV series were crammed into one issue. Engaging, yes — but also a bit disorienting. One can’t help but wonder: did the story outpace its own ambitions?

Conclusion

Despite the narrative messiness, Uncanny X-Men #5 is a comic that’s hard to ignore. It’s clear that Simone and Marquez have a passionate, daring vision — one filled with heart and boldness. The trouble is, at this pace, some of those threads risk getting tangled beyond repair.

Should you read this issue? Absolutely — for the art, the colors, the character moments, and the emotional high points. Just don’t expect a flawless finale. This feels more like a promise: “Give us time, and we’ll make it right.”

Pros:

+Stunning visual storytelling – David Marquez is in top form, delivering dynamic, expressive, and richly detailed panels.

+Masterful coloring by Matthew Wilson – color choices shape the tone and highlight emotional beats beautifully.

+Strong character work – Rogue, Gambit, Jubilee, and Wolverine all get standout moments. The Rogue speech therapy detail is a gem.

+Lively, natural dialogue – characters speak with authenticity and clear voice.

+Humor that hits the mark – sharp, cheeky, and well-placed throughout the narrative.

+Heartfelt tribute to Harvey X – not perfect, but genuinely touching and resonant.

Cons:

-Chaotic narrative pacing – the story moves too fast, making some developments feel shallow.

-Weak introduction of the Outliers – new characters lack depth or meaningful backstory.

-Unclear villain motivation – Sarah’s arc feels rushed and underexplored.

-Lack of a clear narrative spine – hard to follow who’s doing what and why at times.

-Too many subplots at once – the main storyline gets buried under narrative clutter.

My Score: 7.5/10