Comic Review: Uncanny X-Men #8 – Wings That Fail to Carry the Weight of the Story

 

The first crossover of the new mutant era has come to an end – and unfortunately, Uncanny X-Men #8 not only fails to wrap up the story with the impact it needed but leaves behind a sense of narrative chaos and disappointment. This issue had the potential to serve as a climax, but in practice, it feels more like a disappointing epilogue that raises more questions than it answers. There’s a lack of balance between new ideas and consistency in character development, causing the entire event to end with a bang... but not the one we expected.

Artwork – Change of Style, Change of Tone

Let’s start with the visuals. Javier Garrón takes over from David Marquez, and the difference is immediately noticeable. Garrón has a distinctive, dynamic, somewhat cartoonish style that can shine in other series. Here, however, it clashes with the serious tone of the story and Marquez’s more realistic approach from earlier issues. Cyclops and Rogue, in particular, suffer from overly simplified facial designs and often bland expressions. Wolverine, too, looks off – his physique seems exaggerated and overly stylized.

The coloring doesn’t help either. Surprisingly, it feels too bright and clashing. Matthew Wilson usually matches the script’s tone beautifully, but here his colors don’t blend with Garrón’s linework. The result? A visual dissonance that breaks immersion instead of enhancing it.

Story – Too Many New Threads, Too Little Satisfaction

Narratively, the issue suffers from several major problems. First, there’s the introduction of the mysterious "Avians" – a group of five telepaths allegedly on par with Charles Xavier. It’s a retcon that could have been interesting if it had been introduced with proper buildup, emotional stakes, or even basic context. The X-Men have always been full of powerful telepaths, so one more group doesn’t leave much of an impression.

The same goes for the character Corina – an antagonist whose arc from podcaster to prison warden reads like a budget version of Amanda Waller. She lacks believable motivation and somehow wields tremendous power with no logical grounding in the established world.

The biggest disappointment, however, is the relationship between Cyclops and Rogue. Their conflict had potential – two strong personalities with very different leadership styles – but it ends up portrayed in a caricatured, out-of-character manner. Rogue comes off as a bratty teenager, and Cyclops – who once led children into battle – now suddenly has moral qualms? Where were the editors when this script was finalized?

Structure – Pacing Issues

Uncanny X-Men #8 also suffers from poor pacing. The beginning teases a deeper dive into side characters who’ve been on the sidelines – only to abandon that promise shortly after, reducing them to exposition devices. Some scenes feel pointless, such as a full page where Nightcrawler gets thanked and dismissed. Others – like travel discussions or empty dialogue – stretch the issue without adding depth.

Worse still, despite being the final issue of the crossover, there’s no real resolution. Corina still controls Graymalkin, the team is internally conflicted, and Xavier – though he could have escaped – simply stays in his cell. Everything is left hanging, and readers are left with nothing.

A Few Bright Spots?

Not everything in this issue deserves criticism. Garrón, despite his divisive style, handles action and movement with a great sense of energy – some action scenes are well-composed and vivid. The dialogue, while sometimes stiff, has flashes of humor and authenticity. And there’s something to appreciate in the attempt to expand the X-Men mythology – the problem lies in how rushed and underdeveloped it all feels.

Summary

Uncanny X-Men #8 is an issue full of letdowns, unfulfilled promises, and wasted potential. The change in artist, inconsistent coloring, and flood of new plotlines make it hard to emotionally engage with the story. Gail Simone stumbles for the first time in this series, and her take on Rogue is unconvincing and outright annoying. The plot offers no closure, and the new antagonists are too bland to spark any real interest.

It’s not a bad comic – hence the 6.5 rating – but it’s by far the weakest installment in the series so far. Let’s hope future issues return to the more focused, emotionally grounded storytelling that made earlier entries stand out. For now, though, this crossover conclusion delivers more chaos than catharsis.

Pros:

+Dynamic artwork – Despite the polarizing style, Javier Garrón captures motion and action vividly. The action pages are well-composed and energetic.

+Creative world-building ideas – The concept of the "Avians" and the expansion of Graymalkin Prison show an effort to enrich the X-Men mythology.

+Team scenes – A few full-team shots of the X-Men are memorable and highlight the team’s artistic potential.

+Small character moments – Despite issues with the main conflict, some side dialogues add lightness and humor.

Cons:

-Inconsistent artwork quality – Cyclops and Rogue’s faces are too cartoonish, Wolverine’s build is unnatural, and Garrón’s style doesn’t match the story’s tone.

-Problematic coloring – Matthew Wilson’s work is unusually garish and clashes with the linework, creating a disjointed visual experience.

-Poorly written characters – Rogue comes across as childish and annoying, Cyclops as inconsistent and hypocritical. Both are written in ways that contradict their established personas.

-Retconning without setup – The introduction of the Avians and changes involving Xavier are abrupt and lack dramatic weight.

-No satisfying finale – None of the major plotlines are resolved; the ending feels rushed and chaotic.

-Wasted potential of Corina – Instead of building a formidable antagonist, we get a caricatured Amanda Waller without credibility.

My Rating: 6.5/10