Uncanny X-Men: Breaking Point

Uncanny X-Men (1963) #534.1, 535-539

by Kieron Gillen, Carlos Pacheco (Illustrator), Terry Dodson (Illustrator)

Magneto is an X-Man. This may not be news to you, but only a handful in the Marvel Universe know that the poster boy for Fearing Mutants is now living just off the coast of one of the United State's largest cities. How on Earth are the X-Men going to explain the presence of one of the world's most infamous super villains?

Next, when the X-Men left the militaristic alien Breakworld, its political structure was reduced to ashes. It didn't stay that way forever. Now a warship is crossing the gulf of space, with a mission that will strike the lives of star-crossed lovers Colossus and Kitty Pryde with all the force of a meteor. Join them as they discover what the vessel them means for them, mutantkind and the rest of the Earth.

Collects Uncanny X-Men #534.1 and #535-539.

Genres: Comics, X Men, Graphic Novels, Marvel, Superheroes, Comic Book, Comix

120 pages, Paperback

First published September 14, 2011

About the author

Kieron Gillen is a comic book writer and former media journalist.

Reviews

[Jesús De la Jara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Esta época de los X-Men siempre era muy entretenida. En este caso de la mano de los dibujos de Dodson muchos personajes cobran una versatilidad e importancia tan sólo por los gráficos.
Igualmente las relaciones de ellos son bastante fundamentadas y especiales, cosa que para mí ha sido descuidado por muchos otros escritores.
Cuando vino este número emocionó a muchos pues trataba de la vuelta de Kruun, aquel déspota de Breakworld que tan mal hizo pasar a los X-Men en la aclamada serie de "Astonishing X-Men", así como él también vuelve a aparecer la antipática agente Brand y todos se unen para ver qué hay con Kruun y su gente, los acontecimientos bastante duros probarán sobre todo a Kitty Pryde que ya tenía poca acción hasta este capítulo.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kieron Gillen comes to the X-Men and hits the ground running! This is one of the best volumes of the X-Men I've read for quite some time. Particularly great for fans of Kitty, Colossus, Magneto, Logan and Hope.

A shame this is far as it got before being dragged into a crossover 'event' but that's Marvel for you...

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy Gillen's characters, the near-human ones most. (Dr. Nemesis is a particular fave, though I wouldn't want to have to work for him.). Also a big fan of how he handles Agent Brand. The commentary between characters such as Brand and Cyclops is amusing and insightful.

I enjoyed Agent Brand's every move, and the subplot around Magneto is an interesting twist to keep us guessing. No matter how long they keep this up, I'm never going to quite believe Erik is reformed and "good" now.

More interesting though is how Gillen handles the aftermath of the Breakworld story from Astonishing. It's on the verge of a story with nuance and empathy for the 'enemy', inasmuch as I think I understand their point of view (alien as it is).

The Hope story at the end is interesting foreshadowing but not much more.

I'm really getting to like Gillen's take on the X-Men. He's got a good sense of character, a talent for action and surprises in his plotting.

Here are my plot notes because I can never remember who when and what, when I'm reading later books:
Breakworld aliens come to Earth to defeat Colossus, who "broke" the aliens' war culture. Kruun defeats many of X-Men, tortures Colossus & Kitty, but Kruun's mate kills kitty and brings her back (this time no longer permanently intangible).  Breakworld aliens finally set up Breakworldtown in an abandoned neighbourhood of San Francisco.  Hope learns that Logan expects to have to kill her if the predictions of the future hold true. 

[Arturo · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Good: Dodson art. Kitty, Colossus. Magneto. Namor. Ok the whole team is kickass. Characterization. Dialogue.
The Bad: ok not really bad, just an ok story about Breakworld.

534.1 is a story about Magneto.

[Sesana · Rating 3 out of 5]

So I'm completely and utterly clueless when it comes to Breakworld. One of the things I missed when I wasn't reading Marvel. At any rate, it meant that I was often slightly lost, wasn't really invested in parts of the story, especially to start, and didn't really feel all that invested in what happens to the Breakworlders at the end of the story.

And yet... I still managed to enjoy this book. All credit to Gillen, for great action, plausible sequence of events, and good dialog. It helps that Kitty Pryde has a starring role, and I really like her. It also helps that the Breakworld story is sandwiched between two standalone issues that I was able to follow with ease. The Hope story at the end mostly serves to explore the non-relationship between Hope and Wolverine. Decent action, but I really like it for the conversation between Hope and Logan at the bend. But I liked the first story, mostly a conversation between Magneto and his new PR agent. It's kind of funny, but it's also a very sensible step to take. Why wouldn't the X-Men hire a PR agent to spin the fact that Magneto's joined their team?

I probably would have loved this if I'd read the Breakworld story that lead directly to the events in this book. I at least would have understood more of what was going on. But I liked it anyways, because Gillen did that good of a job.

[Shannon Appelcline · Rating 4 out of 5]

The two single issue stories are the strongest parts of this volume, though they're essentially vignettes about Magneto and Hope. The Breakworld story that makes up the majority of the volume is still good, and a very well-appreciated Coda to Astonishing X-Men.

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was better than I thought it would be...finally.

[Tomás Sendarrubias García · Rating 3 out of 5]

El primer tanteo de Kieron Gillen al frente de la principal colección del mundo mutante, llegó en la saga Punto de Ruptura, y lo hizo continuando con el equipo artístico que ya había dejado su huella con los mutantes más espectaculares de la historia desde Jim Lee, en manos de Terry Dodson y Greg Land (espectaculares en el sentido de despampanantes y guapos, dibujantes los ha habido mucho mejores). Y sería Terry Dodson quien se encargaría de este primer arco, en el que además de un nuevo acercamiento al personaje de Magneto, convertido en uno de los X-Men y figura pública que, después de lo ocurrido en Nueva York en la etapa de Morrison, era una auténtica pesadilla para las relaciones públicas de los X-Men, Gillen se centraría en continuar la trama de Breakworld, el último arco de los Astonishing X-Men de Wheddon y Cassaday, recurriendo incluso a la misma alineación de equipo (cambiando a Bestia y Armadura por Magneto), que son llamados por Abigail Brandt para que acudan a SWORD, ya que una nave de guerra de Breakworld se acerca a la Tierra... y Breakworld no conoce más acción que la guerra.

O no la conocía, ya que después de que su civilización fuera vuelta del revés por Coloso, parece que Kruul y sus seguidores no llegan como soldados, sino como refugiados... aunque no todo es lo que parece, como de costumbre...

[Tanabrus · Rating 2 out of 5]

I presupposti erano buoni: gli X-Men hanno salvato la Terra dall'attacco di un mondo guerriero alieno, sconfiggendo i capi di quel mondo, fermando la loro arma segreta e realizzando a modo loro le profezie per le quali erano stati attaccati. Poi sono tornati a casa.

Ma cosa è successo, su quel mondo, dopo che hanno sconvolto le loro vite e la loro società e li hanno abbandonati a loro stessi?
Guerra civile e rivoluzioni.

E ora sono arrivati dei profughi, in cerca di rifugio.
Ma tra loro c'è il vecchio leader, che sembra avere dei piani tutti suoi... peccato solo che i piani siano, alla fine, incomprensibili e privi di senso.

E sopratutto, Magneto e gli X-Men sono tutti mostrati come completi idioti. Caratterizzazioni buttate nello scarico e fatte coi piedi.

[Kristi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked seeing a different side of the X-Men. It was cool to see Magneto as an X-men and really nifty to see how they handle something like an alien civilization. This was my first foray into alternate universes and I enjoyed it a great deal. I got to see some characters that I hadn't read before or had only read as minor characters. Thoroughly enjoyable!

[boofykins · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️
Gillen begins his run really well. I’m giving it a 4.5 because the final issue in this book (#539) is incredibly rushed and I feel it would’ve been better spread across two issues, even though it still successfully gets its point across.

[Alex E · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a sequel to Whedon's Astonishing X-Men run, this works pretty well.

We see what happens after Colossus and the X-Men leave Breakworld to their own devices. Basically all of society goes into chaos, and this ship of refugees is asking for help from Earth. Of course, there's a secret plan of vengeance involving all of the X-Men but especially Kitty and Colossus, so we really get to see how Ord, the original villain from the Whedon run, systematically breaks down the team and goes after these two especially. I think Kieron Gillen did a great job of picking up the ball and running with this storyline, yet making it feel fresh and exciting at the same time. His interpersonal play between the team is also really well done, and his writing style fit the tone of the book well.

Another great element of this volume is the art by Terry Dodson and Carlos Pacheco. This book looks damn good and it's because of these two artists. Both really knocked it out of the park and they give the book a high quality feel to it that it deserves.

Gillen's first foray into the world of the X-Men was very cool. I'm eager to see where else he takes the team from here.

[Jesse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gillen's first solo X-Men, finally. I've read this one before, it's fucking fantastic. Due in no small part to the art by Terry and Rachel Dodson. They are one of my absolute favorites. The story is intricate and interesting, bringing back elements of Joss Whedon's wonderful Astonishing X-Men. Kitty Pryde really shines here. I just can't recommend this book enough. The final issue is a strong one too, about Hope and Wolverine. Great stuff.

[Tue Le · Rating 3 out of 5]

Breaking Point by Kieron Gillen is a mid-tier continuation of Astonishing X-Men by Joss Wheden. It is not a bad story, but it simply does not compare well with its prequel. There is some potential for a compelling plot here. But there are some rough edges that need to be smoothed out first. I personally do not like it where science-fiction is mixed with magic (or what is presented as "magic").

[C · Rating 3 out of 5]

Continuing the great x-read of 2017/2018... (and I am really far behind with my reviews so I will be putting up a bunch of quick-takes to catch up...)

This one manages to be a pretty decent read despite the fact that I hate the Breakworld plot. That is mostly due to some good character moments.

[Vikas · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[J. · Rating 3 out of 5]

An X-Men story that's actually a sequel, instead of just a rehash! It's certainly not as good as Whedon's original plotline, but it isn't bad by any means.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this to be a short but fun story arc.

[Brandon Daniels · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ties up some loose ends from Whedon’s Astonishing Xmen I’m a pretty satisfying manner. The art is solid.

[Fazun · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5

[Jeff Lanter · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a huge fan of Astonishing X-Men, I was excited to see some familiar your characters return. The possibilities of returning to Breakworld were exciting, unfortunately, the plot really didn't end up being all that interesting. If you've read Astonishing X-Men you could predict how most of this story would go. There is one good development in terms of one character, but to say more would be to spoil it. My favorite parts were the two single issues, particularly the one with Hope. It had fantastic art and a nice story to boot. The art in every issue is better than the last couple volumes so that is definitely a positive as well. I think I'm going to at least take a break from Uncanny X-Men, if not stop altogether, because there is little holding my interest and I know that it is going to get rebooted after a couple more story arcs anyway. This part of Uncanny X-men is far from required reading and there are undoubtedly much better points for a new reader to jump in and enjoy this series.

[Dawn Livingston · Rating 2 out of 5]

I used to collect X-Men back in the 80's and early 90's when there was just one X-Men title. I started collecting a little after Kitty Pryde joined the team. I stopped when they started introducing multiple X-Men titles and things got a little too confusing and the stories were lousy. I also collected New Mutants, Excalibur, some West Coast Avengers.

I found out my library had lots of X-Men graphic novels so I decided to see if I could find anything that would make me want to start collecting X-Men again...

I got this one because I've always been a fan of Kitty Pryde and she's on the cover. Unfortunately, I don't think anyone really knew what to do with the character since she doesn't have a flashy power, isn't flashy to look at and doesn't have a flashy back story.

The artwork was solid, even good. The story was fine though I really didn't understand the mindset of the Breakworld people. Not to mention I have no idea what Breakworld is since I haven't been collecting the comics.

This one is worth reading and the artwork is solid, it won't have you cringing.

[Adam Fisher · Rating 3 out of 5]

With Kitty Pryde on the cover, I was hoping to finally have her regain control over her powers be the story here, and I was rewarded for my patience. Unfortunately, it comes in the form of more Breakworld tech...
Refugees from the Breakworld, are approaching Earth needing sanctuary. Events on their planet never recovered from when the X-Men were there last. Cyclops agrees to take them in, but one of the generals contained within the refugees chooses instead to mount a sneak attack, taking many of the X-Men out of commission, seeking his chance to re-duel Colossus (see Astonishing X-Men).
Some of the refugees (including the general's wife) are learning Earth's ways of peace, forgiveness and saying sorry. Kitty regains her powers during a ritual that the general's wife performs in an effort to help.
Overall, not a great tale in the grand scheme of things, but still alright. Recommend.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written dialogue and believable characters make this a little better than most other books that have have come out of Uncanny X-Men. Dodson's clean artwork also make this nice to look at. To be honest, I never really cared for the alien characters in the last Breakworld story and care even less for them here. But characterizations of familiar characters is nice. If only they did that whole story without the stupid aliens that act like Klingons and got better antagonists; then I might feel better when they all hug and pat each others butts at the end.

[Garrett · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Breakworld follow-up was inevitable, and being based as it was on Whedon/Cassaday's stuff, was going to be a little disappointing unless it was as epic as what they'd done to get us there. And it was never going to be.

This is, however, a fun follow-up, placing the Breakworlders well within the Marvel Universe at the end of it and rectifiying some of the damage done to the status quo of the team after the Whedon arc, Utopia, and Hope. Namor and Kitty are written well here, and the bookend stories in this volume are compelling, even if they seem a little disconnected.

[Matt Sabonis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun enough story. Breakworld never really interested me, but Gillen manages to give the concept a bit more depth. I was more engaged by the stories surrounding the main one, namely the one with Wolverine protecting Hope. Some really good stuff there, and all the artists really deliver.

[Jase · Rating 2 out of 5]

After years of not reading, I came back to read this new series and wasn't that enthralled with the Breakworld the first time. It was a decent story but I feel that we always get into only the bad guys become good in the end and a nice closure.

[Jenna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thought this was the Breakworld chapter but it's post. Still enjoyable and refreshing to go back to the "modern" art styles after the Essential volumes. There seems to be a lot of that mutant cure floating around for anyone to make.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

The X men have to tell the world that Magneto is on their side. In the meantime, there's aliens from Breakworld to deal with. There's some nice bits here particularly for Magento and Kitty. A good read.

[Abbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yay Magneto. Always enjoy story lines which involve him. Still need to find the Breakworld series to catch up on that.