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A review by tshepiso
Marvel Masterworks: The Uncanny X-Men, Vol. 6 by Dave Cockrum, John Byrne, Brent Anderson, Chris Claremont
4.0
This volume of Uncanny X-Men contained a solid set of stories. From the iconic Days of Future Past to a great solo outing for Kitty in Demon, the moving first appearance of Caliban in Cry, Mutant, and the fantastic Magneto story I, Magneto I had a lot of fun with this collection.
This collection had so many fantastic stories. The first is obviously Days of Future Past. I will admit my first read of DoFP was a tad anti-climactic because I expected the story to be grander. But in retrospect Claremont created such a fascinating scenario in a relatively slim two issues. I was especially engaged by the 2013 alternate future. Seeing our heroes worn down and cynical was viscerally impactful. Although it didn't feature a tonne in the story this dark future was weighty. I could feel the seismic loss the characters faced their desperation and grief bled off the page. This world didn't feel grim for the sake of it. It was a meaningful showing of a dark future that cannot be allowed to exist. The star of this story was obviously Kitty Pride the resident time traveller. Contrasting Kitty's youthful nativity to the harsh older version of herself was wonderful. My favourite moment in the story was older Kate giving her younger self a kiss before departing to an uncertain future.
I also loved the Cry, Mutant storyline featuring Caliban. This story has such great pathos. We see Kitty Storm, Dazzler and Spider-Woman accidentally attack a fellow mutant who has spent his life feared in the shadows. In many ways, it reminded me of Proteus' arc if Proteus was a sympathetic character rather than pure evil. The exploration of mutants who can't live a public life because of hatred was compelling and that brief connection Caliban made with his fellow mutants before being chased back into the shadows was moving.
The final story in this volume I, Magento was absolutely brilliant. Claremont's X-Men run up to this was lacking in compelling Magneto stories, but in this outing, he really shines. I, Magneto sees the beginning of his journey to redemption and does it well. In giving Magneto a more sympathetic goal and showing glimpses of his tragic backstory readers are given the space to see him as more than just a megalomaniac. What makes this story so great is its final moments wherein Magneto displays such humanity when he sees how far he has strayed. That grief and shock when he holds Kitty in his arms is such a powerful character beat.
Overall this volume was a fantastic collection of X-Men stories. While not all of them are stuck in my memory, there were definite jewels in the pack. Like every issue of Claremont X-Men I've read this volume contains excellent character writing and the consistent found family themes and introspective character moments make the series an absolute delight to read
This collection had so many fantastic stories. The first is obviously Days of Future Past. I will admit my first read of DoFP was a tad anti-climactic because I expected the story to be grander. But in retrospect Claremont created such a fascinating scenario in a relatively slim two issues. I was especially engaged by the 2013 alternate future. Seeing our heroes worn down and cynical was viscerally impactful. Although it didn't feature a tonne in the story this dark future was weighty. I could feel the seismic loss the characters faced their desperation and grief bled off the page. This world didn't feel grim for the sake of it. It was a meaningful showing of a dark future that cannot be allowed to exist. The star of this story was obviously Kitty Pride the resident time traveller. Contrasting Kitty's youthful nativity to the harsh older version of herself was wonderful. My favourite moment in the story was older Kate giving her younger self a kiss before departing to an uncertain future.
I also loved the Cry, Mutant storyline featuring Caliban. This story has such great pathos. We see Kitty Storm, Dazzler and Spider-Woman accidentally attack a fellow mutant who has spent his life feared in the shadows. In many ways, it reminded me of Proteus' arc if Proteus was a sympathetic character rather than pure evil. The exploration of mutants who can't live a public life because of hatred was compelling and that brief connection Caliban made with his fellow mutants before being chased back into the shadows was moving.
The final story in this volume I, Magento was absolutely brilliant. Claremont's X-Men run up to this was lacking in compelling Magneto stories, but in this outing, he really shines. I, Magneto sees the beginning of his journey to redemption and does it well. In giving Magneto a more sympathetic goal and showing glimpses of his tragic backstory readers are given the space to see him as more than just a megalomaniac. What makes this story so great is its final moments wherein Magneto displays such humanity when he sees how far he has strayed. That grief and shock when he holds Kitty in his arms is such a powerful character beat.
Overall this volume was a fantastic collection of X-Men stories. While not all of them are stuck in my memory, there were definite jewels in the pack. Like every issue of Claremont X-Men I've read this volume contains excellent character writing and the consistent found family themes and introspective character moments make the series an absolute delight to read