‘Uncanny X-Men’ #3 Tests the Limits of Southern Hospitality

This week summer turns into fall, and with it comes Unusual X-Men #3. Gail Simone, David Marquez, Matthew Wilson, VC’s Clayton Cowles, and Tom Brevoort are the creators behind this issue, the third in the “Red Wave” arc. Despite the extensive introductory work of the previous two issues, Unusual X-Men #3, also known as “The Inside Man,” still aims to tell the reader more than anything else.

The book initially focuses back on Graymalkin Prison, using this opening scene to add intriguing complications to the antagonists of the title. While Warden Doctor Ellis is pleased with the results of her personal mutant hunter, the risk factors associated with Sarah Gaunt’s continued involvement become troubling. Despite being equipped with some of the best security technology in the world, the aptly named Ms. Gaunt has no problem infiltrating Inmate X’s cell at any time. This first glimpse of Charles Xavier since he’s been locked away beneath his former manor is brief, but his fear of Sarah’s return begins to spread to his captors. Ellis’ right-hand man, Phillip, senses through his own psionic power that Gaunt will continue to hunt mutants not for the Warden Doctor’s purposes, but to kill them.

Speaking of Sarah Gaunt’s prey, Rogue and co. are still living together in Haven in the Louisiana bayou. Gambit’s boyfriend and his family are happy to host the Outliers alongside the X-Men, as long as they earn their keep doing housework. After a brief tease that the host family’s daughter Chelsea might be a mutant herself, the chores are completed just in time for a game of Catch the Elf. Rogue, Remy, and Jubilee observe as each of the Outliers attempts to snatch a belt from Nightcrawler. Kurt is mystified by the outdoor obstacle course and skillfully dodges each of the teens until Deathdream accidentally takes the exercise too far.

In a similar fashion to the previous issue’s combat-driven introduction, the other big chunk of exposition arrives, interspersed with failed attempts to capture the Eleven. Each of the Outliers has already endured their fair share of trauma before they ever meet, from parental abuse, violent kidnapping, intense bullying, and repeated deaths (in Deathdream’s case). Even the most aggressive among them, like the fiercely intolerant and sheltered Calico, is made more nuanced in light of the way her mother taught her to understand the world. Despite Kurt and Deathdream’s misfortune, this bonding time goes well, even if the X-Men can’t help but wonder if “the Endling” Harvey X predicted is one of their new wanderers.

Marvel Comics

The rough training session goes fairly well, but is interrupted by Rogue’s vision of a dying Logan. Wolverine left Haven earlier in the issue, but if you assumed this was a turn-off to his solo title, you’d be mistaken. As Logan begins his final trek through the wilderness, she’s stalked by Sarah Gaunt. Able to hide from his enhanced senses until it’s too late, Gaunt tears Wolverine to shreds. Describing her realm and claws of Somber Steel, it seems that Sarah has been tethered to some kind of hellish or demonic force, long after she first met Charles Xavier. The creepy Gaunt deals Logan several fatal blows, which is the vision that overwhelms Rogue. Gaunt isn’t done with her prey, however, as she presses Wolvie for the location of the Outliers during the fight. She had mentioned this blind spot to Xavier before, but it remains to be seen how that relates to the reason behind Rogue’s vision.

Marquez and Wilson knock it out of the park again in this issue. At this point, they’ve proven they have a feel for the action and how to make this cast look so good. Additionally, their art nails the comedic beats surrounding Nightcrawler. The exchange between Xavier and Gaunt also deserves a shoutout; Marquez and Wilson amplify the sense of tension and claustrophobia without having to show anything more than Xavier’s face and Gaunt’s finger.

Does the problem have any significant flaws? Not really. Creepy #3 is a solid next entry in the series, and if there’s one thing it’s struggling with, it’s that it’s three issues in and it still feels like it’s just getting started. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, and hopefully Simone, Marquez, and Wilson get all the runway they need with this story. The cover of the next issue definitely looks to ramp up the horror factor, just in time for Halloween.

Unusual X-Men #3 builds on the first two issues, deepening the lore behind the Outliers and the newly christened Sarah Gaunt. The momentum unfortunately slows even further, but it promises to pick up next issue with some scary scenes and Logan’s life on the line. The X-Men have barely had a chance to get through a single training session with the Outliers, but will it be enough to test them against such a monstrous opponent?

‘Uncanny X-Men’ #3 Tests the Limits of Southern Hospitality

Uncanny X-Men #3

Uncanny X-Men #3 builds on the first two issues, deepening the lore behind the Outliers and the newly christened Sarah Gaunt. The momentum unfortunately slows even further, but it promises to pick up next issue with some scary scenes and Logan’s life on the line. The X-Men have barely had a chance to get through a single training session with the Outliers, but will it be enough to test them against such a monstrous opponent?

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Kurt parties with furries lmao

Deathdream is an underrated comedian

Is Sarah Gaunt from Hell?

We’ve gotten a lot slower

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