Review of Uncanny X-Men #19 – “Narrative Chaos and Wasted Potential”

 

The Uncanny X-Men series under Gail Simone has always sparked mixed reactions. Sometimes it felt fresh and daring, in the spirit of the X-Men. Unfortunately, issue #19 is a textbook case of how quickly plot threads can be lost, potential wasted, and logic undermined. It’s an issue that tries to do too much, yet doesn’t do any of it well.

Where Did the Continuity Go?

From the first pages, a glaring problem emerges – there’s virtually no continuity with the previous issue. The festival that was the central plot point last time simply vanishes. The fire, the involvement of locals, the chance encounters with Cyclops, Outlaw, and Fortão – all swept aside. Instead, we get a dry mention of past events and a brand-new political subplot with the mayor.

This makes the read disorienting – as if a chunk of the story had been cut out and replaced with something unrelated. Readers can’t help but ask: what was the festival even for? Did it have any purpose at all if there are no consequences?

Jubilee in the Spotlight – and Another Misstep

This issue centers on Jubilee, which at first glance seems like a plus. Finally, one of the classic characters gets a moment to shine. The problem is the way Simone writes her: Jubilee’s narration doesn’t sound like Jubilee at all. Instead of her trademark spark, slang, and spunky energy, we get a bland inner monologue that could belong to anyone.

Worse still, the story construction is nonsensical. Deadpool and Outlaw show up “out of nowhere,” even though they were in Haven at the end of the last issue, helping save people. Simone just ignores that continuity. Add to this Corina’s odd cameo, which serves no purpose except reminding us she’s evil, and the script quickly collapses.

Deadpool as a Caricature of Himself

Deadpool has always walked a fine line between humor and deadly menace. Here, though, we get his worst incarnation: a pure caricature. Instead of sharp wit and dark comedy, his dialogue is a string of forced, cringe-inducing one-liners.

It’s painful, because just a few issues back there was hope Wade might bring more than chaotic humor to the table. Instead, here he’s little more than a narrative distraction.

Dialogue – the Series’ Biggest Weakness

It’s impossible to ignore anymore: Simone’s dialogue is the Achilles’ heel of this run. Overwritten, overly meta, sappy, and flat-out unnatural. The mayor’s office scene is the prime offender – dialogue that sounds more like a parody of a political sitcom than a serious X-Men subplot.

Dramatic beats read like cheap farce, and meta-jokes don’t land. Worst of all, none of the characters sound like themselves. They all sound like the writer commenting through them.

Visuals – a Lifeline That Trips Up

David Marquez is a seasoned artist, and usually his work is a high point of this run. Issue #19 does look polished: characters are attractive, action flows well, and some pages really stand out.

But even here, there are inexcusable mistakes. The X-Men show up in formal wear and in the very next panel they’re suddenly in their combat uniforms – without explanation. That’s not a continuity error across issues, that’s an amateur slip between panels.

Ending and the Sense of Wasted Time

The final fight, meant to tie back to the Free Comic Book Day issue, fizzles into nothing. It’s there, it happens, but the stakes are nonexistent and the resolution predictable and bland.

As a result, Uncanny X-Men #19 feels like a filler issue. Dropped subplots, badly written characters, and increasingly grating dialogue leave the reader with nothing but frustration.

Final Thoughts

Gail Simone had the chance to tell a story that developed the mutants in a fresh social and political context. Instead, we get narrative chaos, shortcuts, and dialogue that reads like self-parody. Even Marquez’s solid artwork can’t cover the cracks.

Uncanny X-Men #19 is more exhausting than engaging. If the series doesn’t change direction, even die-hard X-Men fans will run out of patience.

Final Score: 4/10

Pros:

+Focusing on Jubilee provides a breather from the newer characters

+Jubilee’s revenge moment in the diner is satisfying

+David Marquez’s art is still strong despite continuity slips

Cons:

-Complete lack of continuity with the previous issue

-Deadpool reduced to a caricature of himself

-Overwritten, unnatural, and exhausting dialogue

-Festival subplot and townsfolk integration wasted

-Visual continuity errors (X-Men switching costumes between panels)

-Jubilee stripped of her distinct voice – bland instead of iconic