Monday, May 23, 2011

Uncanny X-Men First Class: Knights of Hykon TPB



What a fun little trade. It's easy to forget how well the X-Men concept worked when the new crew came in. Banshee, Storm, Colossus, Nightcrawler, and Wolverine were still new and mysterious, and it was so exciting seeing them try to bond. The new story is great, featuring Phoenix and Cyclops as they attempt to take on ultra-powered aliens who are destroying the Earth by accident. I always loved seeing Nightcrawler save the day, with his low power-set, it's great seeing him make good. Scott Grey gets it. Nightcrawler more than holds his own. Gray does a nice job using Cyclops' always simmering anger too, you know it's bad when Cyke starts to shatter his visor.

I couldn't get into the leprechaun story, but the back matter is wonderful. The trade reprints the fantastic fight where the Uncanny crew took on the Juggernaut. I forgot how awesome it was seeing Colossus really cut loose. He was my fave X-Man as a kid, and reading these two old issues, it's easy to see why.

I also loved seeing Wolverine calling people chubs and wide load in both the new and old material. Nothing like harmful personal insults to put your foes off-balance.

Nelson DeCastro's pencils are strong, and he even keeps Banshee ugly, like he was in his first appearances (before he got handsomed up by Joe Mad. Take a look at the Roger Cruz cover where Banshee looks too normal.)

New material - Fair
Old material - Good

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