Uncanny X-Men #23 is the beginning of a new story arc, Where Monsters Dwell. And true to the name, this issue soaks itself in the kind of Southern Gothic storytelling that Gail Simone has made a signature of the title since it began. With David Marquez and Matthew Wilson on the art duties, Uncanny X-Men #23 is a strong opener to a fresh new story.
One of the key draws of this issue is the inclusion of a bit of Marvel Comics history. Rawhide Kid is a character from 1955, during the Atlas Comics days. The character was rebooted when Atlas Comics became Marvel Comics and became one of Marvel’s most prominent Western heroes. Gail Simone includes this character in a truly creative fashion by having the adventures of the Rawhide Kid take place as a bedtime story, one that gradually involves the young Outliers as characters in the narrative itself.
The issue is bisected into these two stories. One following the bedtime story of the Rawhide Kid being set upon by a dastardly gang of cattle rustlers, while the other follows Gambit and the predicament he finds himself in following prolonged exposure to the Left Eye of Agamotto, which has corruptive properties.
A Clever Homage to Classic Westerns
Seeing the Rawhide Kid’s story play out as a bedtime story that the Outliers overhear and become increasingly engrossed in is a charming bit of comic storytelling. The prose and presentation of the narration boxes and internal monologues is a clear tribute to the Western comics of old.
This part of the story is surprisingly engaging, and the inclusion of the Outliers is a fun and entertaining contrivance that taps into the fact that none of them have ever had a bedtime story told to them before. Soon, they are no longer just overhearing the story, but become participants in it, recast as Western heroes of old trying to help the Rawhide Kid stop the evil gang.
The art by David Marquez is lovely, but it’s the colours by Matthew Wilson that deserve particular praise here, with the tones and palette used for these scenes fitting the vintage feel of this section of the story perfectly.
Where Monsters Dwell
There are obvious parallels between the predicament the Rawhide Kid finds himself in and the conflict Gambit finds himself embroiled in. Having stolen the Left Eye of Agamatto from Sadurang, Gambit’s teammates suspect him of becoming increasingly under the thrall of the cursed artifact and corrupted by it. The Left Eye supposedly compels the holder to seek living flesh, and then human flesh. The team catches Gambit with a cat, after he had bitten Rogue.
It’s an interesting scenario to put Gambit in, as the outcast among a group of X-Men as he was originally, back when he first joined the team. Gambit rejects that there is anything wrong with him, and invites the team to take the Eye by force. Of course, they all hold themselves back, not wanting to hurt him.
It’s here where Jubilee is given more focus. Long overdue for it, Jubilee has had sporadic bouts of prominence in this title, but nothing that has give the character anything to sink her teeth into. Uncanny X-Men #23 brings back memories of Jubilee’s time as a vampire, and the hunger for human blood she experienced at that time. She understands what Gambit is going through. The moment is small, but hints at further exploration soon.
The issue ends on a cliffhanger, with the return of a set of faces that suit the tone of this brand new arc perfectly, and include some surprising pulls from the deeper annals of Marvel lore. Faced with a new threat, this new arc seems primed for some fun and exciting surprises.
Marquez and Wilson Prove Their Mettle Once Again
Is any art duo in the X-Men line as well-suited for each other as David Marquez and Matthew Wilson? Consistently, whenever they team up, the visual storytelling of that issue is in good hands. Marquez draws everything with sharpness and a pleasing sense of beauty, while Wilson’s colors perfectly bring the vintage look of the Rawhide Kid’s adventures to life. Marquez’s art on the final page is particularly fun, with the various designs brought to the page with great detail.
Uncanny X-Men #23 is the strongest entry the title has had in quite some time. Kicking off an exciting new arc, Where Monsters Dwell, the issue perfectly balances two different stories, both touching on classic Marvel Comics and classic movie and TV archetypes and tropes. Simone juggles the two well, and the art by Marquez and Wilson is excellent.
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Uncanny X-Men #23 Review
Uncanny X-Men #23 is the strongest entry the title has had in quite some time. Kicking off an exciting new arc, Where Monsters Dwell, the issue perfectly balances two different stories, both touching on classic Marvel Comics and classic movie and TV archetypes and tropes. Simone juggles the two well, and the art by Marquez and Wilson is excellent.
