Uncanny X-Men #15.INH review

UNCANNY X-MEN #15.INH

by Brian Michael Bendis and Kris Anka

Godammit, Bendis.

OK, so I was looking for a re-jumping on point for Uncanny X-Men, and a friend of mine told me this week's issue was as good as a place as any. And what the hell. Is. This. Ok, let me get to the bottom of this, and say Bendis just doesn't know how to have any fun. The concept of this issue revolves around the Uncanny X-Men's (ok well not the men) girl's night out, where Emma Frost, Tempest, Irma, Kitty Pryde, Jean Grey and the Stephord Cuckoos basically head out for a night on the town, while the events of Inhumanity are basically going down. And Bendis spends way too much on them trying to be serious than give readers what they were expecting. While yes, there are a few glimmers of hope with a fun opening scene, and Bendis using a bit of his trademark humor here and there, there's just way too much angst between the characters. I mean, there's literally just one boring page of them talking about how good it is to go shopping like "normal" people, and then it quickly cuts to them in a diner arguing about why the Cuckoos are scared of Jean. The tone is very inconsistent. 

Kris Anka's art looks excellent here, somewhat reminding me of David LaFuente's work on Ultimate Comics: Spider-Man mixed with Jamie McElvie's clean cut style. The female characters are rendered beautifully, and there's an action scene towards the end that has Anka shining, with some fun Immomen like panels. 

While Uncanny X-Men #15.INH is by no means the worst comic I've read this year (coughcoughLobdell'sactioncomicscough), it is a bummer to read. At first glance it's a match made in heaven, with an entire issue dedicated to a somewhat lighter story, but in the end, its all just a huge bummer to read. Thankfully, the art is it's saving grace and is actually enjoyable, pouring over each page. 

STORY: 2/5

+ Some fun Bendis dialogue

- Spends too much time on the Inhumanity aspect

- So... Much... Angst... This isn't Twilight....

- Some characters overlooked and ignored (I thought Magik didn't grow up around shopping malls... You'd think there'd be even some mention of that at least...)

ART: 4.5/5

+ Female characters drawn beautifully, but unobjectively

+ DAT ACTION

VERDICT: 3/5