Review: Uncanny X-Men #11

All you need to do is look at this cover to be completely enthralled with what is to come! Juggernaut Colossus versus Red Hulk! Who isn’t itching to see how this one ends up?

You will not be disappointed with the tale Kieron Gillen and Greg Land lay before you! Taking place directly prior, during and after the events of The Avenger vs. The X-Men #1, we get to finally see a less zealous version of Cyclops. In AvX, he has been portrayed as some kind of religious nut that can’t see how dangerous his decisions are. Here, in a book written by an actual X-Men scribe, we see a leader that has to make a tough decision even though it will cause a rift between his “family” and the world’s mightiest. We also are privy to the internal thoughts of Namor, Hope and Colossus as they embark onto the battle field and will forever be changed in the process. Gillen has a great grasp on the “voice” of these individual characters, making the reader reconnect with them on a more personal level than they have in a long time. It is the perfect juxtaposition with all the chaos surrounding Utopia!

As good as the writing is, it is Greg Land’s rendering of the battle of the behemoths, that will make you not want to put this book down! An underwater barrage of giant fists awaits, and let me tell you — it is a war! Greg Land always amazes me with the skill in which he renders the female form, it is beautiful and eye catching, but today — it is all about breaking things! He creates a brutal symphony of destruction that will cause any fan to pause and take notice of how well it is done! One warrior lies at the bottom of the ocean as the other seethes in rage — absolutely amazing!

Finally, we see a book with the AvX banner tag that actually delivers something new to the story! Kudos to Kieron Gillen and Greg Land for helping this tale progress instead of completely living in the past like all the other books have! Plus, the ending is something that will set all of mutantkind on a collision course with the world that hates and fears them. If the Phoenix Force doesn’t destroy the earth, the ramifications from this ending just might!