Review: Uncanny X-Men #519

Uncanny X-Men #519
by Matt Fraction and Terry Dodson

Because nothing ever goes totally well for the X-Men, Utopia is sinking. During the Dark Avengers/X-Men crossover Utopia X, the X-Men raise Magneto's Asteroid M from the bottom of the ocean as a haven for mutants. Since it’s not on American soil, Norman Osborn has no control over it. But now it’s sinking again. The X-Men science team is attempting to stop that, as well as Magneto who has come in peace to Utopia. I really like the idea of having Magneto around. My favorite X-Men issues of old are when Magneto was on the X-Men side, when he ran the school while Xavier was gone in space.

The other story in here deals with Cyclops, Emma Frost, Professor Xavier and Psylocke as Cyclops battles the Void in his own mind. The Void is an aspect of evil that was in the Sentry until Emma trapped a part of it in her own mind. Having liberated it from Emma's mind, Cyclops now battles it within his own. Good thing Cyclops has always dated telepaths because he has quite a few tricks up his mental sleeve. I really like what Matt Fraction and Ed Brubaker have done to Cyclops’ character over the last few years. They made him into such a great, confident leader who doesn't need Xavier for guidance anymore.

Magneto goes to Namor for help with the sinking Asteroid, Fantomex tracks a loose Predator X and overall it’s a solid issue. Terry Dodson’s art is great but like Adam Hughes and Frank Cho, their art just doesn't work on males. They are hot girl artists, their guys tend to look too feminine to me, too pretty and smooth. What a stupid thing to complain about!