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Uncanny X-Men (1963) #394-399
Uncanny X-Men: Poptopia
Poptopia kicks off a major creative team change and new direction for the #1 selling comic book, with a look and feel reminiscent of the blockbuster motion picture. The X-men embark on a global adventure to stop genetic cleansing.
144 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2002
3 people are currently reading
60 people want to read
About the author
Joe Casey
972 books86 followersLibrarian note: there is more than one author with this name
Joe Casey is an American comic book writer. He has worked on titles such as Wildcats 3.0, Uncanny X-Men, The Intimates, Adventures of Superman, and G.I. Joe: America's Elite among others. As part of the comics creator group Man of Action Studios, Casey is one of the creators of the animated series Ben 10.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Casey
Joe Casey is an American comic book writer. He has worked on titles such as Wildcats 3.0, Uncanny X-Men, The Intimates, Adventures of Superman, and G.I. Joe: America's Elite among others. As part of the comics creator group Man of Action Studios, Casey is one of the creators of the animated series Ben 10.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Casey
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
June 21, 2021
With a new look and attitude, the team struggles with similar themes explored over the years, but with a more modern twist.
Joe Casey is a writer that is usually hit or miss with me. In other words, either I really like what he is putting out or... its just not for me. This one kind of fell closer to the "not fore me" side. While there are some interesting premises here and new fresh "takes" on some old premises, the overall tone of the book is a little bit to aware of itself. It's like Casey knows that he has to follow the Morrison formula, but still wants to tell stories that he has in mind, and has to mix these two ingredients together. And instead of mixing well... the book come off as clunky and forced.
However, like I said there is some interesting stuff. Chamber dating a superstar singer akin to Britney Spears or Taylor swift - and facing the fickleness of pop stardom. Because while it seems Chamber finds somewhere where he "belongs", he is still cast aside once his use is up. The theme of belonging somewhere has always been part of the X-Men and I think this storyline was a nice variation on that. We also have a variation on the morlocks massacre as well as Angel facing the board members who handle his estate.
Overall, an interesting take on things, this book has a lot of energy behind it, but lets see if Casey can ground out the storylines a bit more in the coming issues.
Joe Casey is a writer that is usually hit or miss with me. In other words, either I really like what he is putting out or... its just not for me. This one kind of fell closer to the "not fore me" side. While there are some interesting premises here and new fresh "takes" on some old premises, the overall tone of the book is a little bit to aware of itself. It's like Casey knows that he has to follow the Morrison formula, but still wants to tell stories that he has in mind, and has to mix these two ingredients together. And instead of mixing well... the book come off as clunky and forced.
However, like I said there is some interesting stuff. Chamber dating a superstar singer akin to Britney Spears or Taylor swift - and facing the fickleness of pop stardom. Because while it seems Chamber finds somewhere where he "belongs", he is still cast aside once his use is up. The theme of belonging somewhere has always been part of the X-Men and I think this storyline was a nice variation on that. We also have a variation on the morlocks massacre as well as Angel facing the board members who handle his estate.
Overall, an interesting take on things, this book has a lot of energy behind it, but lets see if Casey can ground out the storylines a bit more in the coming issues.
January 3, 2018
Un episod bun, peste așteptări, din lupta x-men contra extremismului și a celor care doreau dispariția mutanților. Câteva cadre foarte bune. Destule clișee.
October 4, 2021
Nightcrawler, Archangel, Iceman and Wolverine travel to England hoping to return Chamber to the fold of the X-Men. However, Chamber is embroiled in a high-profile relationship with popstar Sugar Kane and the X-Men's mission is further complicated by a fascist group hunting mutants in the sewers of London.
There are some really good thematic elements in this book which explore new avenues of the prejudice that is a core theme of the X-Men stories. Specifically this book tackles how the tabloid media (apologies to all of history for that being my country's contribution to posterity) is in support of minorities when it suits them but eventually always turns against them when public bigotry gains supremacy.
I also enjoyed the latter section of the book which explores the concept of a mutant brothel.
I would've rated this book higher if not for the era of X-Men stories that it comes from. The X-Men here are the painfully 'edgy' versions that appeared in the early 2000s (around the time of Joss Whedon's X-Men movie), when Marvel was too embarrassed to give them anything like their traditional look and instead has all of the X-Men wearing black leather and, often, sunglasses.
This whole era of 'we want to make superhero stuff but we're too worried that they're not cool, so we'll try to hide what they are' has always annoyed me and my enjoyment of this book suffered as a result. And, although I actually like the character here, Stacy-X (the mutant hooker) is just another example of Marvel trying to distance the X-Men from what they once were and make them more adult and relevant.
It's so transparent and nauseating to see a comic ashamed of what it is (and should be).
Bring back the yellow spandex.
* More reviews here: https://fsfh-book-review2.webnode.com *
There are some really good thematic elements in this book which explore new avenues of the prejudice that is a core theme of the X-Men stories. Specifically this book tackles how the tabloid media (apologies to all of history for that being my country's contribution to posterity) is in support of minorities when it suits them but eventually always turns against them when public bigotry gains supremacy.
I also enjoyed the latter section of the book which explores the concept of a mutant brothel.
I would've rated this book higher if not for the era of X-Men stories that it comes from. The X-Men here are the painfully 'edgy' versions that appeared in the early 2000s (around the time of Joss Whedon's X-Men movie), when Marvel was too embarrassed to give them anything like their traditional look and instead has all of the X-Men wearing black leather and, often, sunglasses.
This whole era of 'we want to make superhero stuff but we're too worried that they're not cool, so we'll try to hide what they are' has always annoyed me and my enjoyment of this book suffered as a result. And, although I actually like the character here, Stacy-X (the mutant hooker) is just another example of Marvel trying to distance the X-Men from what they once were and make them more adult and relevant.
It's so transparent and nauseating to see a comic ashamed of what it is (and should be).
Bring back the yellow spandex.
* More reviews here: https://fsfh-book-review2.webnode.com *
January 15, 2019
What's frustrating is that there germs of good ideas and interesting stories in here (for the most part), but it seems to be written by someone who has no connection with any of the existing characters.
Casey wants to talk about celebrity and its relationship to tolerance, to appearances, and, I guess, the Bunny Ranch. Those are all things that could drive an interesting story and may not be fully developed in the usual "World that fears and hates us" X-Men.
But there isn't really a story here. Or characters. The closest we come is to an extremely unsympathetic Britney Spears-alike because she actually has one dimension.
Maybe that Chamber is alright.
But the few X-men that appear (Wolverine, Iceman, Nightcrawler, Angel) are not really characters at all. They hardly seem like devices even. Beyond flat.
Casey wants to talk about celebrity and its relationship to tolerance, to appearances, and, I guess, the Bunny Ranch. Those are all things that could drive an interesting story and may not be fully developed in the usual "World that fears and hates us" X-Men.
But there isn't really a story here. Or characters. The closest we come is to an extremely unsympathetic Britney Spears-alike because she actually has one dimension.
Maybe that Chamber is alright.
But the few X-men that appear (Wolverine, Iceman, Nightcrawler, Angel) are not really characters at all. They hardly seem like devices even. Beyond flat.
December 16, 2010
I was pleasantly surprised by this. From what I'd heard about the X-books around this time, Grant Morrison's New X-Men was the only thing worth reading. I picked this up super cheap, and actually enjoyed it. Joe Casey knows how to keep a reader interested in characters that would otherwise be forgettable.
September 2, 2024
The X-Men are back in London. No, the mutant superteam Excalibur hasn't reformed. Though an original member of the group is one of the heroes visiting England. Cerebro, the X-Men's mutant locating super computer has registered a large population of mutants underneath the streets of London. Nightcrawler, Ice Man, Archangel and Wolverine are on a mission to offer membership to their brethren. However, they'll need to offer sanctuary as an enhanced madman is on the hunt for these 'genetic freaks.'
The X-Men also have a secondary agenda: retrieve the AWOL member of Generation-X, Chamber. After a catastrophic encounter that lead this new generation of X-Men fractured, Chamber fled to London, hoping to find himself. Instead, he finds himself as the British tabloids latest subject when he catches the eye of pop superstar Sugar Kane.
This volume is book-ended with 2 solo stories. Jean Grey and Wolverine must address their complicated relationship when they are transported into the fracturing mind of a brand new mutant who is enamored with the militant ways of Magneto. Then Warren Worthington, III learns that his family run mega-corporation has invested in a place called the X-Ranch. It's pretty much what you think. The X-Ranch is a sordid bordello where wealthy homo sapiens spend a ton of cash to get their kinky licks in the arms of a harem of seductive homo superiors.
Published in 2001, this era of the X-Men occurs after Grant Morrison's revamp of the Children of the Atom. Those really cool black with yellow trim uniforms are still in service. Only now everyone looks like they're a cross between a model for American Eagle and a goth frequent shopper at Hot Topic.
For the most part, the art is really good. Only the costume and character design is too cyberpunk. And there's one issue where the guest artists tried to emulate the fantastic Bill Sienkiewicz and just failed miserably. Joe Casey's plots are good. But the dialogue needs work. Who used the phrase 'What's your major malfunction?' back in 2001. It's an example of how the dialogue was about 20 years too late to appear in a Marvel comic book.
I found this book at a thrift shop where I don't think I paid more than $2 for it. The UK Sun stylized cover really caught my eye and the price was nice, of course. 'Poptopia' was like riding a roller-coaster. Only it wasn't because of the level of action. Instead, there were extreme moments of superior quality dipping into depths of really bad comic book creating. I'm one to talk. I'm sure that Sean Phillips and Ashley Wood, among others, are much better artists than I will ever be. However, I also felt like a very good portion of this collection of X-Men comics wouldn't have met the standards of former editors Stan Lee or Jim Shooter
The X-Men also have a secondary agenda: retrieve the AWOL member of Generation-X, Chamber. After a catastrophic encounter that lead this new generation of X-Men fractured, Chamber fled to London, hoping to find himself. Instead, he finds himself as the British tabloids latest subject when he catches the eye of pop superstar Sugar Kane.
This volume is book-ended with 2 solo stories. Jean Grey and Wolverine must address their complicated relationship when they are transported into the fracturing mind of a brand new mutant who is enamored with the militant ways of Magneto. Then Warren Worthington, III learns that his family run mega-corporation has invested in a place called the X-Ranch. It's pretty much what you think. The X-Ranch is a sordid bordello where wealthy homo sapiens spend a ton of cash to get their kinky licks in the arms of a harem of seductive homo superiors.
Published in 2001, this era of the X-Men occurs after Grant Morrison's revamp of the Children of the Atom. Those really cool black with yellow trim uniforms are still in service. Only now everyone looks like they're a cross between a model for American Eagle and a goth frequent shopper at Hot Topic.
For the most part, the art is really good. Only the costume and character design is too cyberpunk. And there's one issue where the guest artists tried to emulate the fantastic Bill Sienkiewicz and just failed miserably. Joe Casey's plots are good. But the dialogue needs work. Who used the phrase 'What's your major malfunction?' back in 2001. It's an example of how the dialogue was about 20 years too late to appear in a Marvel comic book.
I found this book at a thrift shop where I don't think I paid more than $2 for it. The UK Sun stylized cover really caught my eye and the price was nice, of course. 'Poptopia' was like riding a roller-coaster. Only it wasn't because of the level of action. Instead, there were extreme moments of superior quality dipping into depths of really bad comic book creating. I'm one to talk. I'm sure that Sean Phillips and Ashley Wood, among others, are much better artists than I will ever be. However, I also felt like a very good portion of this collection of X-Men comics wouldn't have met the standards of former editors Stan Lee or Jim Shooter
May 15, 2017
Continuing the x-book catch-up of '17...
So skipping out on a couple of decades of a pop culture phenomenon and coming back to it is an odd experience in a lot of ways. You know certain things because they've leaked into the mainstream but you are cold on others... It seems like *everyone* talks about Morrison's new take on the X-Men and the radically different direction taken in X-force, but I had heard nothing about this book.
Now, I have no idea where this title is headed yet so I don't have the benefit of hindsight like so many others... But I thought that the writing in this volume was very good. The characterization (with the exception of some odd things with Archangel) was fantastic - the best character beats and human moments of the books that I am reading right now, in my opinion. And it is dealing with heavier issues at times as well.
It will be interesting to see where things go because right now, I would say that this is my favorite of the "rebooted" x-books and that is obviously not an opinion shared by the fandom. (And it's not just my favorite due to my boy Chamber being in it.)
(One small continuity note - While the Chamber love story was predictable, it was well-written. I just find it unfortunate that it so quickly followed the Generation X "Four Days" storyline where Chamber found someone much better for him than this pop star. It made his jumping into her entourage and her pants feel a little odd so quickly on the heels of him avoiding a relationship...)
So skipping out on a couple of decades of a pop culture phenomenon and coming back to it is an odd experience in a lot of ways. You know certain things because they've leaked into the mainstream but you are cold on others... It seems like *everyone* talks about Morrison's new take on the X-Men and the radically different direction taken in X-force, but I had heard nothing about this book.
Now, I have no idea where this title is headed yet so I don't have the benefit of hindsight like so many others... But I thought that the writing in this volume was very good. The characterization (with the exception of some odd things with Archangel) was fantastic - the best character beats and human moments of the books that I am reading right now, in my opinion. And it is dealing with heavier issues at times as well.
It will be interesting to see where things go because right now, I would say that this is my favorite of the "rebooted" x-books and that is obviously not an opinion shared by the fandom. (And it's not just my favorite due to my boy Chamber being in it.)
(One small continuity note - While the Chamber love story was predictable, it was well-written. I just find it unfortunate that it so quickly followed the Generation X "Four Days" storyline where Chamber found someone much better for him than this pop star. It made his jumping into her entourage and her pants feel a little odd so quickly on the heels of him avoiding a relationship...)
June 13, 2019
Joe Casey is one of my favorite comic writers; more for his attitude, intent and ambition than his actually execution.
Joe Casey admits that his run was somewhat of a misfire for a few reasons; a.) He was in the Shadow of Grant Morrison and Mark Millar's runs. b.) His attempt to be experimental with the art on the run (non-sequential artists and using artists like Ashley Woods and Eddie Campbell) and c.) he had little connection or resonance with the characters.
Regardless, I think there are some interesting ideas here; the Xcorps notion is to make the X-Men a little more militaristic and also hints at the corporatizing of the characters (that eventually happened with the increase of attention by Marvel due to the cinema universe--and he better explored within Wildcats 3.0).
He kind of picks at the idea that the X-Men are an outdated concept with outdated ideas. Instead of just putting on a costume and punching bad guys...Their IDEAS and tactics need to evolve. The idealogies of the 60s will not longer work--hence the militarization and use of corporate America tactics.
Joe Casey admits that his run was somewhat of a misfire for a few reasons; a.) He was in the Shadow of Grant Morrison and Mark Millar's runs. b.) His attempt to be experimental with the art on the run (non-sequential artists and using artists like Ashley Woods and Eddie Campbell) and c.) he had little connection or resonance with the characters.
Regardless, I think there are some interesting ideas here; the Xcorps notion is to make the X-Men a little more militaristic and also hints at the corporatizing of the characters (that eventually happened with the increase of attention by Marvel due to the cinema universe--and he better explored within Wildcats 3.0).
He kind of picks at the idea that the X-Men are an outdated concept with outdated ideas. Instead of just putting on a costume and punching bad guys...Their IDEAS and tactics need to evolve. The idealogies of the 60s will not longer work--hence the militarization and use of corporate America tactics.
November 26, 2023
Hey kids! It's Uncanny X-Men by Joe Casey! This one's interesting 'cuz while GM was shaking things up over in New X-Men this is what the OTHER guys were doing. It ends before it can really get going but it's cute while it lasts. Chamber graduates Generation X and after a dalliance with a 2000s era pastiche popstar named Sugar Kane he steps up to bat as a proper member of the X-Men. Angel discovers that the guys who run Worthington Industries on his behalf have invested in a mutant brothel. Wolverine takes a break from New X-Men to hang out with the Uncanny team for a little bit. Iceman says, in a wink and a nod to the audience, "We're the X-Men. We'll never go out of style." This book is about celebrity and it's a cool concept to see the X-Men tackle.
But I think what's really awesome about this book is the cover design/ formatting. I don't think I've read a book that looks quite this cutting edge (or at least what cutting edge looked like in, oh, 2001?) and I think it's worth hanging onto just for the sheer novelty. 4.5/5 but rounded up for good times. :]
Did you know? Stacy X was supposed to be called X Stacy but it got kiboshed since it sounded like the drug.
But I think what's really awesome about this book is the cover design/ formatting. I don't think I've read a book that looks quite this cutting edge (or at least what cutting edge looked like in, oh, 2001?) and I think it's worth hanging onto just for the sheer novelty. 4.5/5 but rounded up for good times. :]
Did you know? Stacy X was supposed to be called X Stacy but it got kiboshed since it sounded like the drug.
January 12, 2025
I wasn’t sure what Uncanny X-Men would be like in this era as the main team is comprised of the characters that are neither the main stay of New X-Men or X-Treme X-Men, and yet I’m enjoying their thrown togetherness.
Is this an epic for the ages, likely not, but I really enjoyed it. After loving Generation X this felt like the equivalent of a former Disney star shedding their childhood with a raunchy pop album with Chamber getting embroiled in a headline grabbing affair with a media savvy pop star while he dodges the x-men’s increasingly irritating pleas for him to join the team.
I found this really compelling and page turning and while I still can’t find away if enjoying Angel, I’m really enjoying Bobby in this line up.
Is this an epic for the ages, likely not, but I really enjoyed it. After loving Generation X this felt like the equivalent of a former Disney star shedding their childhood with a raunchy pop album with Chamber getting embroiled in a headline grabbing affair with a media savvy pop star while he dodges the x-men’s increasingly irritating pleas for him to join the team.
I found this really compelling and page turning and while I still can’t find away if enjoying Angel, I’m really enjoying Bobby in this line up.
February 1, 2016
TPB collecting together Uncanny X-Men #394-99 – this has the four issue Poptopia arc bracketed by the preceding and following issues.
It’s actually not bad and possibly could have scraped 4 stars if not for the wild variation in art style. Issues #394/5 are at the top of the game – Wolverine is particularly rugged & shirtless, Jeannie hot and Nightcrawlwer handsome and well defined. Issue #398 switches to a sketchy, angular style which is quite frankly hideous. The story suffers too in that one.
The story itself isn’t bad, I like the idea of a celebrity dating a mutant as a publicity stunt, even if that mutant is the rather uninteresting Chamber, rather than one of the main players. Also like the Genetic cleansing villain Mr. Clean and the whole Morlock-esque underground mutant population.
The highlight of the collection is the scene of Nightcrawler performing Yoga whilst skyping Wolverine – a comic gem!
The final story “For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge” has Archangel, Iceman and Nightcrawler raid a mutant brothel. Smashing concept, so-so execution. This could have done with some comedy to liven it up, though at least the art is slightly better than the end of Poptopia.
Great potential, somewhat disappointing but still lots for X-Men fans to enjoy. Highlights: Wolverine stealing a kiss from Jean, Nightcrawler action sequences and Bobby almost being seduced in a mutant brothel.
It’s actually not bad and possibly could have scraped 4 stars if not for the wild variation in art style. Issues #394/5 are at the top of the game – Wolverine is particularly rugged & shirtless, Jeannie hot and Nightcrawlwer handsome and well defined. Issue #398 switches to a sketchy, angular style which is quite frankly hideous. The story suffers too in that one.
The story itself isn’t bad, I like the idea of a celebrity dating a mutant as a publicity stunt, even if that mutant is the rather uninteresting Chamber, rather than one of the main players. Also like the Genetic cleansing villain Mr. Clean and the whole Morlock-esque underground mutant population.
The highlight of the collection is the scene of Nightcrawler performing Yoga whilst skyping Wolverine – a comic gem!
The final story “For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge” has Archangel, Iceman and Nightcrawler raid a mutant brothel. Smashing concept, so-so execution. This could have done with some comedy to liven it up, though at least the art is slightly better than the end of Poptopia.
Great potential, somewhat disappointing but still lots for X-Men fans to enjoy. Highlights: Wolverine stealing a kiss from Jean, Nightcrawler action sequences and Bobby almost being seduced in a mutant brothel.
April 12, 2011
I didn't expect much from this TPB but I really enjoyed it after all. Probably because there's not that much fighting going on and some unpleasant issues about mutants are exploited. #394 is all about Jean and Wolverine (I could get more of this) and #398 is a nice change from a tradition with its somewhat crazy indie art. I juest didn't get that "Star Trek beaming" in the last chapter but that was probably some Shi'ar technology.. ;-)
May 1, 2010
Ugh... the beginning of ridiculous mutant characters like Stacy-X, Beak, etc.
March 2, 2011
Set in London, it covers how popstars are as much freakshows as mutants. Also has a scary storyline with the theme of killing all mutants.
April 4, 2024
Chamber's back dating the new pop star and has a bad run overall. Side story of a bad-ass mutant taking on whatever they can for their 18th birthday. RIP.
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