Uncanny X-Men First Class #1

Scott Gray's new Uncanny X-Men First Class is perfectly uncanny so far, but could still use some more of that First Class magic.

This new take on an old series brings the fan-favorite 70s X-Men line-up back to the funnybooks: Cyclops, Storm, Wolverine, Colossus, Nightcrawler, and Banshee. Phoenix is featured on the rocking cover, but so far has only merited one tiny cameo scene. The first issue taps all the classic Claremontian story beats: hateful-fearful mobs of New Yorkers forcing an X-Man to question the mission; giant robot fights in the Danger Room; cheesy boastful mid-action dialogue; Wolverine picking a fight; Colossus being all sensitive and noble and stuff; random men hitting on Storm.

It also has a solid story of its own to tell about Nightcrawler visiting Attilan, city of the Inhumans, a place where nearly everyone is just as unique in appearance as himself and no one gets called a freak. Of course he begins to wonder - would he be happier here? Is he really obligated to put up with the world's crap? But there may be a serpent in this garden, because he finds that children are being mutated against their will!

Well, not really. Most anyone who's read an Inhumans story before will be aware that the ceremony Nightcrawler interrupts is a perfectly natural part of Attilan culture. Human-looking children walk into the Terrigen Mists when they come of age, and they come out with funky new powers and often with a wild new alien appearance. If you go in a cute blonde and walk out a tall purple baldie with fewer fingers than you started with, well, them's the breaks. I think it's supposed to be a puberty-sucks-sometimes metaphor. That Stan Lee, such a subtle guy.

Actually, Nightcrawler kind of has a point. It IS pretty creepy. But I'm not expecting Marvel to let one X-Man overturn the crux of Inhumans culture; it wouldn't really be PC to their fictional society. Also, the series is set in the past. But we'll see how that plays out next issue.

The problem with UXFC #1 is that it's all a bit po-faced. That's also true of the original Uncanny era during which this book is set, of course; when I read the old 70s X-Men comics, most of the humour I find now is probably not of the intentional variety. The fact that everyone takes everything so seriously is what makes it hilarious. (That, and the way they all spend nine-tenths of their day expositing madly in their head.) But I've been spoiled by Jeff Parker's original X-Men: First Class, Bendis' New Avengers, and Brian Vaughan's and Joss Whedon's Runaways. When I read a modern team-book, I want more banter, playfulness, and just plain off-the-wall wackiness. I want the characters to take each other just as seriously, to treat each other just as politely, as my friends and co-workers treat each other.

I've said it before; I think the First Class line works best by having fun with the X-Men characters in a way most of the other mutant books haven't allowed for many an emo year. And I believe Scott Gray is capable of bringing the comedy; his Wolverine short in the Uncanny X-Men First Class Giant-Size was great. Hopefully as UXFC goes on, he'll find more of a balance.

- JC