The X-Men Mount Their Defense In War Of The Realms: Uncanny X-Men #1
by Tony Thornley
The X-Men have been on the offensive ever since the vast majority of their number vanished. In War Of The Realms: Uncanny X-Men #1, Malekith’s invasion puts them on the defensive for the first time since Cyclops returned. So how do they handle it?
Matthew Rosenberg, Pere Perez, Rachelle Rosenberg, and Travis Lanham put the X-Men in the middle of the War of the Realms, and completely out of their element.
Cyclops leads a team against the next target on their list- the Nanny and Orphan Maker. However, Moonstar suddenly abandons the team, turning a surefire victory into a narrow one. The team quickly realizes Dani had good reason to abandon them when Magik transports them to her last known location- New York City, overrun by Malekith’s forces!
It’s not as common as you’d think for the main writer of a series to write an event tie-in, but in this case, I can’t imagine anyone else doing this story but Rosenberg. This slots perfectly mid-run to Rosenberg’s main story, but then he takes that feel and knocks his team back on their heels. Besides the fun plot, it’s all full of the solid characterization that’s embodied Rosenberg’s Marvel work, especially for Dani who’s kind of been in the background of his run so far.
Perez does very fun work here. He shows off his action chops, with a dynamic battle between the team and their targets, but also some great humor within the scene. He also does a great job with using perspective and scale to show how horrible the situation is for the team, drawing scenes from the Frost Giant vantage point, rather than the X-Men’s. It all comes together in a great, fun package.
The War just came to the X-Men, and now they’re going to dish it right back. I’m excited to see how it works out for them from here.
War Of The Realms: Uncanny X-Men #1 is available now from Marvel Comics.
