Writer Brian Michael Bendis
Pencils Chris Bachalo
Inks Tim Townsend, Al Vey, Jaime Mendoza, Mark Irwin & Victor Orlazara
Colors Chris Bachalo & Jose Villarrrubia
Lettering & Production VC’s Joe Caramagna
Uncanny X-Men vs. SHIELD Part One
Issue opens, in Atlanta, with Maria Hill and some SHIELD soldiers in Hijack’s apartment. Hill tells him that there are no vehicles for him to control, the entire neighborhood’s cars have been towed. Imagine how loud that must have been? Also, people running out of their homes, all angry. Hill wants to know where Cyclops is.
In an unknown location, we finally see where Mystique is keeping Dazzler. It is what I was worried it is, not a spa at all but a hostage situation. Dazzler’s eyes are taped over, Mystique reveals to Sabretooth – who looks like Triple H here, that Dazzler’s ears are plugged as well. Mystique doesn’t quite know how her powers work, so she has to take every precaution.
Mystique, and by that I mean Bendis, says some horrible things about Dazzler. How she is a race traitor, a sell out whore. Quite despicable. Makes me wonder how Bendis / Mystique feels about the Scarlet Witch.
Hill repeats her question. Hijack tells her that he doesn’t know. Not sure if it is out of loyalty or what, but we know he knows that they are at a Weapon X facility. Which is all she would need to know, to locate these X-Men.
To lighten the mood, she gives him some advice – don’t beg in a text, women don’t like that. Which makes sense as begging is already a sign of weakness, then on top of that, it is a text – so she can reread that statement over and over.
There is an ad for Avengers Confidential – Black Widow & Punisher, a new Marvel animated film. It doesn’t look anime inspired. If it was based on any story, it would already have some buzz to it. Instead, I have to find out about it in print. Which tells me Marvel isn’t really behind it. Thor, Iron Man and Hulk are along for the ride. So Punisher replaces Cap, which is awkward as he has a movie coming out in two weeks.
I really like the shade of blue for Mystique. It is darker than her usual color, and the white of her dress makes her look darker, it really works.
Mystique also reveals that Dazzler is the source of the Mutant Growth Hormone drug.
The scene ends with those two leaving and Dazzler saying, ow.
Hill explains to Hijack, that this is all going along Cyclops’ plan. Kick him off the team, have SHIELD approach Hijack and learn what they know.
Meanwhile, Cyclops is using his Cerebro and not thinking about Hijack at all. He is speaking with Tempus, wanting to know what happened to her during the students’ trip to Tabula Rasa. I really like Scott not wearing his cowl, reminds me of his 90s look. He should go back to that.
Tempus looks older. Her hair is longer, it is a good look.
Cyclops tells her that she can tell him anything, she isn’t sure about that.
Cerebro detects a power mutant, he runs off shouting, To me my X-Men.
In Chicago, the Uncanny X-Men arrive.
Goldballs is in an awesome costume, it is a total throw back design. I wish we got the scene of him revealing his costume to the team. Did he go to Cyclops with the design? No, I see that being an Emma department.
Celeste believes their presence is upsetting the normies. Magik counters, that people find them exciting. Also, how Emma doesn’t wear proper shirts. Which Emma quips that neither does Magik.
I want a miniseries or a sister ongoing series, where Magik and Emma just hang out or do stuff – I don’t care, I love those two together. Issue 14 and small scenes here and there are not enough. I would be cool with a solo Magik series, where she tells a third party what happens in Uncanny, and she gets to be snarky. It would be awesome.
Irma tells Magik that a guy looking at them has pooed himself. This is the benefit of a hive mind.
In the background, is a giant Sentinel, it is a trap!
The giant Sentinel burps out smaller Sentinels.
Cyclops orders Magik to get everyone out of there as he unleashes Optic Rage! Not exactly sure how he blasts from the side of his head.
Magik isn’t able to teleport, her power is being blocked.
Tempus creates a time bubble.
Magik’s mutant power may be blocked, but not her sorcerer powers. As she unleashes a giant orange dragon.
In a continuation of how Doctor Stange’s powers were displayed during Age of Ultron, with the same font even, shows the spell’s name and location in the magic book. Julani’s Spell of Energy Manipulation. From the Scrolls of Agamotto. Nice touch.
Magik takes out all of the man sized Sentinels.
Odd how these Sentinels could only block ‘known’ powers. Or a makes perfect sense, as it must be easier to design a Sentinel to block specific powers instead of countering all powers.
Cyclops learns that Magik is being tutored by Doctor Strange.
Cyclops gives Tempus a, well done, and she likes the attention. Celeste whispers that Tempus has to tell Cyclops about her crush. But what would that do? He isn’t her real teacher, so they could have a relationship, it would be awkward with Emma being right there.
Goldballs, my balls are working again. He is so excited and Emma has been working with him on his wording.
Cyclops thinks SHIELD is behind the attacks. Magik is quick to point out, it could be someone trying to make him think that.
The crowd turns on them as the issue ends with Cyclops declaring war on SHIELD. Either it is SHIELD or someone framing SHIELD and yet SHIELD isn’t stopping that third party.
Who would be that poor man’s Mysterio from right before Battle of the Atom and the Irving issues.
Next issues cover is by Bachalo with Cyclops centered and Emma and Magik on either side of him. I did not realize before this, are Emma and Magik wearing the same black booty shorts, just with differing size belts?
Shadow and Flame with Magik 