The Uncanny X-Men, Vol. 1: Red Wave

The Uncanny X-Men (2024)

by Gail Simone, David Márquez (Artist), Javier Garrón (Artist)

Collects Uncanny X-Men (2024) #1-6 And Material From X-Men (2021) #35 And Free Comic Book Day 2024: Blood Hunt/X-Men.

From the ashes of the Krakoan era, the flagship X-title returns at last! Professor X is gone! Now, a core group of essential X-Men must find a way to rise again. All bonds among the mutant community seem to be slipping away, and Rogue reluctantly finds herself as the hero designated to bring them back together. But a fearless, malignant power is out there hunting mutants, and it has a terrible secret that may destroy what remains of the X-Men! Rogue can count on Gambit and Wolverine, but they'll soon welcome back another friend - just in time to face four uncontrollable and wild mutants in the swamps of Louisiana! But will a grieving Rogue take Xavier's place in guiding them to the light? Or will a darkness from the past destroy the X-Men one at a time?! Prepare to meet the new class of recruits - and learn their secrets!

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

168 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 9, 2025

About the author

Gail Simone is a comic book writer well-known for her work on Birds of Prey (DC), Wonder Woman (DC), and Deadpool (Marvel), among others, and has also written humorous and critical commentary on comics and the comics industry such as the original "Women in Refrigerators" website and a regular column called "You'll All Be Sorry".

Reviews

[Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not a big fan of post-Krakoa X-Men, but Gail Simone is a special writer and this is definitely the best of the 'From the Ashes' new era.

Starring fan favorite couple Rogue and Gambit and taking place in Louisiana as the X-Men are in-between headquarters yet again. With the lineup, it does feel like the headline title more than the other main X-title. Maybe that's because Wolverine is there too. Even without Cyclops. Also Jubilee shows up too for more of that 90s nostalgia, along with Nightcrawler which feels more classic.

Rogue is the main POV characters, which works great, but it does seem a bit haphazard how they suddenly meet some intriguing and original mutant teenagers, who are the new students now. That's ok, that's kind of how these comics always worked.

There's a new villain who's too strong, beats the hell out of Logan, and has a mysterious connection to Xavier. Overall it's more serious than other of Simone's writings I've read, but there is a bit of a Secret Six vibe with the team dynamics. Still, when Simone is funny she's very funny.

And the art is also better than the other titles, just as good as the best of the Krakoa era. Definitely worth reading for X-Men fans.

[Sean Gibson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A promising start to a new X-epoch. Looking forward to seeing where we go from here!

Maybe we'll learn why Gambit seems to not recognize that "d" is a letter in the English language...

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars

[Ben Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Uncanny X-Men, Vol. 1. Rogue is a favourite of mine so it was awesome to have her as the leader here. The whole team was great, and I can't wait to learn more about the new kids.

The art was beautiful. I just had to sit there and take it in it was stunning! Issue 6 had a switch up in the art style that was still good but it couldn't compare to the previous issues.

[Oscar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good!

[Khurram · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted to give this book 3.5 stars. I enjoyed it more than the other X-MEN book and NYX. Rogue, Jubilee, Gambit, and Wolverine take centre stage in this book.

Emotionally destroyed and unsure of their and the future of the X-MEN in general. Their resources have been taken or turned against them, and their friends are either captured, scattered, hurt, or even dead or want nothing to do with them. Where do they go from here?

As badly as they are hurting, it is not in their DNA to turn away people who need them. However, this could be even more emotionally and physically destroying to them. Now, a ghost from Charles Xavier's past and the ruthless Dr/Warden Ellis are joining forces. In their current state, do these X-MEN and those they are trying to protect even stand a chance?

This is a good start, but it is a bit of a downer as this seems to be the mourning/healing period. They have not even gotten to rebuilding yet. I have never been a fan of a new big dad appearing then dealt with with little explanation. Despite this, there are many interesting things to come, and I am looking forward to this series. I do like that X-MEN being led by someone thinking from their heart rather than tactics. The book finishes with a great varient covers gallery. This contains both full page and thumbnail covers.

[Chris Lemmerman · Rating 4 out of 5]

While Cyclops is off in Alaska, Rogue and Gambit head to Louisiana to try to get away from the X-Men of it all after Krakoa's fall. Unfortunately, the world's not about to let them do that, and a new group of mutant kids turn up on their doorstep to deal with, closely pursued by a creepazoid from Xavier's past.

I had a lot of fun with this. For an opening story arc, it sets the tone really well. It's similar to the old Xavier Institute era of stuff, but twisted enough to make it different, and the scars from Krakoa's fall are evident on pretty much everyone involved. The new villains are fun, with Sarah Gaunt being incredibly creepy in more ways than just looking like a bog monster, and the new kids Simone throws into the mix have a lot of potential too. There's a lot of forward planning going on too, with a few hints at things to come, so it's clear Marvel have faith in this new direction too.

The art's phenomenal, because it's David freaking Marquez for five issues and Javier Garron for the sixth. Yeah, if you're relaunching Uncanny X-Men, top talent's the best move.

Another solid addition to the From The Ashes stable.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gail Simone on an X-men title, eh? That’s some good editor-ing. Helluva tone to set for the scraps who’re left behind.

I’m never sure I completely enjoyed a book by Gail Simone - her writing has a tone that’s never quite what I’d expect from a supes book. It has an emotional tone that seems more real than should a fantasy story offer - and these comics are fantasy in the end, aren’t they?

And yet I *always* look forward to one of her books. And despite what I see in the GR reviews for later titles in this run, I still look forward hard to what comes next here.

So that’s the real evidence of how it landed for me. I’m so glad to get to know these folks and their relationships. I can really feel the weight of Krakoa’s downfall on them all (except maybe Kurt, who’s lately just so damned sure of himself). Can’t wait to see Gail & co help them figure this out.

[Sjgomzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite team is in good hands with Gail Simone.
A glorious throwback to the best days of Claremont, and I hope she stays on this title for at least that long. Rogue as leader, spit on characterizations, some great new characters who really clicked for me, some seriously tense moments, a refreshing and wonderful depiction of a stable superhero marriage, and the beautiful artwork by David Marquez; this book just makes be happy!

[Rory Wilding · Rating 4 out of 5]

We have had five years of the Krakoan Era, possibly the most exciting thing to happen to X-Men comics in a long time, and it is now over. Charles Xavier is gone, along with his dream, leaving the rest of the mutants in a world that continues to hate and fear them. With the return of the classic X-Men logos, it suggests a back-to-basics towards the Marvel mutants, but based alone on the first volume of Gail Simone and David Marquez’s Uncanny X-Men, it is not a simple case of going back to Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters.

As Scott Summers prepares to set up the X-Men with their headquarters based in Alaska, mutants like Rogue, Gambit and Wolverine are left wondering what their purpose is as they reside in a home in Louisiana. However, Rogue reluctantly steps into a leadership role, pulling together a core group taping into close friends that also include Jubilee as they attempt to shepherd a new generation of mutants known as the Outliers, whilst a new human threat takes possession of Xaver’s former school.

With the school now being rebuilt as a prison for mutants, this series states that is not retreating into nostalgia. Even if the team comprises of a classic X-Men cast including Wolverine, Gambit, Jubilee, Rogue, and Nightcrawler, there are also the four Outliers, each having their own unique powers as well as some personal issues, not least of which being total outsiders from the rest of the world. Even the characters that we all know are going through their own dilemmas, such as Rogue who finds herself being a leader despite past traumas, including the death of a young cancer patient, whilst Wolverine is suffering from PTSD in light of losing old army buddies.

However, it is not all doom-and-gloom. While there are new villains that have evil motives towards mutants, including one who really leans hard into horror territory, the world that Simone presents here isn’t entirely defined by its hatred towards mutants. From supporting characters like Marcus St. Juniors whose family invites the X-Men to staying at their home as long as they can help with chores and such, to minor interactions with everyday folk, there is a warmth in showing that not all humans are filled with hatred or fear. For me personally, it is also nice seeing the marriage of Rogue and Gambit front and centre, especially considering that they were somewhat negated throughout the Krakoan Era.

While there is some classic X-Men costuming, the overall setting as well as the new characters gives this book a different vibe than what you usually expect from X-Men, certainly the art by David Marquez helps. Established himself as one of the most exciting artists at Marvel – mostly through his collaborations with Brian Michael Bendis – Marquez’s work is beautiful, just from his character designs, as well as presenting such kinetic action set-pieces from the opening featuring a dragon to the visually dazzling powers from the Outliers themselves.

As explored in the final issue, I’m particularly fond of Calico and her horse Ember, with which she shares a psychic connection, whilst having a hallelujah moment when embracing her mutant side after years of being kept away from the outside world by her wealthy and overprotective mother. She, along with the other three Outliers, must take that step into the outside world when they must attend a normal high school. As much as Uncanny does an excellent job of establishing the external conflicts such as the new main antagonist Dr Corina Ellis, the X-Men doing mundane stuff such as grocery shopping and high-schooling are just as compelling, drawn with such detail by Javier Garrón. If anything, I would like to see more of the mundanity, just to get to know more of these characters, but we still have plenty of future issues that will hopefully deliver just that.

As my first post-Krakoa X-Men book, the first volume of Gail Simone and David Marquez’s Uncanny X-Men leaves a strong impression by mixing old and new characters and placing them in a whole new setting, setting new conflicts, internally and externally.

[Kaylin (The Re-Read Queen) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cheating a little because I’m subscribed and read issue by issue, but I am a new X-men fan loving this round of stories

Pros

- Rogue is my GIRL and having her lead a team?? Greatest idea ever, I love it and her characterization here is perfect. Tough as nails with a heart of gold

- this entire team is my perfect line up tbh, Nightcrawler, Gambit, Wolverine, and Jubilee??

- I love that they set this in New Orleans and away from the same school we’ve seen a million times

- Gambit as a wife-guy is the best thing that happened in the last 10 years of X-men and I love their dynamic

- the art is STUNNING. The absolute best of any current Marvel line

- unpopular opinion, but I didn’t love Krakoa. I think x-men is at it’s best when they focus on continuing the fight for new young mutants and helping them come into their own

Cons

- Nightcrawler has had like three lines?? Someone please give this man a good story it’s been like 15 years

- Wolverine has his own solo running at the same time, so I’m not sure if that’s why he gets so little page time? (I love his dynamic with Rogue but would love to see him and Jubes again!)

- I like two of the new kids but the rest haven’t grown on me yet.

- having Cyclops and Rogue randomly “fight” was dumb and only written to be a big promotional thing for some “x-men vs x-men!” Storyline. It was all hyped up and lasted three pages and I don’t even remember what they fought about.

In Conclusions:

If you’re interested in getting into new X-men comics, this the best place to start imo! Subscribe at your local comic shops to support creatives if you can!

(I’m still reading week to week and the next collection is shaping up to be even better than this one!)

[James DeSantis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Uncanny X-Men seems to be the best title of the bunch with the relaunch. Mostly due to Rogue being one of the better characters in this run and being the lead. Logan has his moments, as does Gambit and Nightcrawler. The first arc ends strong, with the last issue focusing on the new kids. And while good, isn't nearly as strong as the arc dealing with our old X-Men. A fun title though and one I'll keep checking out.

[TJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Started really strong, but I felt like I was having trouble keeping up in the middle. Maybe I was struggling reading month to month. The art in issue #6 was a little hard to follow for me too. That said, there’s some shining gems in this volume and the cast is really strong. The new characters are fun! 4.5/5 stars.

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

De este volumen, el primer cómic que debería leerse por orden es "FBD Blood Hunt" donde aparte del evento de Blood Hunt nos presentan a Jubilee visitando por última vez la Escuela de Xavier antes que sea tomada por las autoridades.
La Dra. Ellis es la jefa, viene con matones para destruir toda la mansión que la han convertido ahora en la Prisión de Graymalkin. Mientras tanto el equipo de los Uncanny X-Men liderado por Rogue, quien cuenta con Gambit, Nightcrawler y Wolverine van a visitar en México a Sadurang el dios serpiente quien causa problemas. Allí también encuentran a un grupo muy especial los "Outliers". Ellos son: Jitter, Ransom, Deathdream y la mimada Calico. Son mutantes y los mantendrán a salvo. La mayor amenaza es Sarah, conocía a Xavier de joven y es un personaje nuevo. Sarah Gaunt es un espíritu malvado y causará problemas a los Uncanny X-Men. Hay una amenaza de Sarah que dice que no de los nuevos mutantes será el que mate a todos.
El cómic es divertido y tiene buenos momentos. La motivación de Sarah es tenebrosa y patética. El lema de batalla de Gambit fue lo máximo.

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25
Probably the strongest current X-book. Not surprising with Simone at the helm. The art is pretty great, too. The team dynamic is also really coming together in interesting ways. It feels old school X-Men-y, in a good way.

[Gerry Sacco · Rating 3 out of 5]

Can't argue with the art. Story is, fine. Parts are good, parts drag. I won't continue it.

Needs WAY more Nightcrawler. Needs more Nightcrawler and Rogue interaction as well.

[Alex Sarll]

We open on a nasty anti-mutant organisation deliberately desecrating symbols of those they hate, repurposing Xavier's mansion as a sadistic prison for mutants – and just to add insult to injury, giving it an Ikea-style makeover. In league with them is a superpowered ex of Charles', who's gone very wrong. Does that sound familiar? It should, because those were big aspects (not to mention, some of my least favourite ones) in the dying days of Krakoa, so you'd think the new era might not want to reprise them quite so closely just yet, especially when Gail Simone's introductory message is hymning the limitless possibilities of Marvel's mutant mythos. And yes, having Simone here means it could never wholly suck; line by line, clearly she can write better than most of Marvel's current stable. In particular, Rogue and Gambit, often stuck in dud books during Krakoa, really sing here, especially when David Marquez is on art (and even when he isn't, gorgeous Matt Wilson colours mean things don't go too far wrong); you can feel the passion on the page, but also the degree to which they drive each other up the wall.

But just when the story seems like it's going to be about a bunch of old friends hanging out and wondering whether there's even an X-Men anymore, which would have done me for an opening arc, a bunch of hunted mutant kids turn up, whose backstories all come out over the course of a single issue, and are uniformly horrible. Hell, one even has black speech bubbles and, despite being a teenager from Kyoto, his dialogue always seems borrowed from the painter on The Fast Show. This is after an earlier scene with a kid who idolises the X-Men and immediately dies, by the way. Even Wolverine's healing factor appears to have been dialled right down, without anyone seeming surprised by that, so he spends much of the volume as a blinded Samson, and there's lots of ominous muttering about the imminent extinction of mutantkind. And isn't this the long, miserable rut the line was trapped in between Morrison and Hickman? Do we really want to go back there already? Turning superhero comics grim'n'gritty in the nineties was one thing, we thought history had ended and everything was going to be more or less OK. But now it's becoming increasingly clear that we were in fact nearing the end of a slight blip in the general awfulness of humanity's reign, is it too much to ask for a little brightly coloured escapism in our entertainments?

[Frédéric · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although I find this arc a little better than MacKay's X-Men, I give it the same score because certain points bother me.

Plus: Very good characterisation of the characters, especially Rogue, whom I often find underused. Simone gives her a real voice. The little we see of Jubilee - who has never interested me - immediately has a depth that I rarely see with her. And what a pleasure to see Kurt again! And Simone also manages not to make Gambit unbearable. Perfect.

Minus: It's not so much the plot that bothers me - I'm waiting to see it develop in the next arc - as some of the crummy gimmicks used to unravel it. The antagonist who comes from a past never seen before... No. Thanks but no thanks. Especially as her motivations are just rubbish.
And was it really necessary to introduce 4 new mutants? Are we out of stock at Marvel?

Marquez's artwork is good and much better suited to the story than Stegman's on X-Men.

In short, it's got its flaws, but it's still a promising series for the foreseeable future.

[Dean · Rating 4 out of 5]

I reckon this is a 3.5. It was a lot of fun, really well drawn and coloured. Great dialogue, sets up long term plot elements.
Issue 6 was the weakest but it was still good. Each fill in will probably focus on one of the new mutants introduced.

The team is a great line up. I'm interested in some of the new characters too.

[Tyler Jenkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a solid team as well! A lot of characters I really care about and these new kids have some pretty interesting powers that I look forward to exploring some more. The main villain between the main X-Men series and this one really pisses me off, doing the worst thing thinking she’s right. I’m so ready to start this little raid on greymalkin event.

[Sarospice · Rating 1 out of 5]

As usual, Gail Simone fails. It's a terrible writer who can't play in the X-Men universe sandbox without creating lame worthless new characters. No grasp of the old characters. Everyone is too familiar too quickly. Skip it.

[Myah · Rating 5 out of 5]

i am having so much fun with this series! it’s crazy that it’s taken this long for rogue to lead an x-team because she’s amazing. very excited to see what happens next

[Raquel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gail Simone and X-Men, what a fantastic combo. I haven't enjoyed X-Men this much in over a decade!

[Eric Edwards · Rating 3 out of 5]

The art is mostly fun though seems to differ between issues. The writing seems a little jumpy. Didn’t hit it out of the park for me so won’t be continuing.

[Adam Fisher · Rating 4 out of 5]

BRAVO! Second volume 1 in the "From the Ashes" run and I'm loving this darker, more lost X-Men...

This Volume basically covers a few different points:
1) The new team is Rogue, Gambit, Wolverine (Logan), Nightcrawler and Jubilee
2) Joining them are some new members: Jitter, Ransom, Calico (with Ember), and Deathdream. Still much to discover about them. Not only for us readers, but for they themselves.
3) We continue to see the setting up of the Graymalkin Prison, set up in the former Xavier School, and Xavier himself is a prisoner there. This will definitely come to a head soon.
4) Villain of the Volume is Sarah Gaunt, or The Hag. She has history with Xavier and wants him and all the mutants dead. Her anger is misplaced, which leads to her downfall, but she seriously injures Wolverine. Rogue says she hits harder than Colossus, and her "Somber Steel" claws (made from the melted weapons of murderers supposedly) can block adamantium.

This title had a different feel from X-Men, and I believe it will be different than the upcoming others as well. Really feels great to be back to reading X-Men titles again.
Recommend. Great place to start for new readers.

[Gabriel · Rating 3 out of 5]

7/10

I'm a big Wolverine fan, I've watched all the X-Men shows and movies, but I don't think I can confidently say I'm an X-Men fan. I've read some stuff and was hoping that reading this would make me at the very least intrigued enough to say "I will be an X-Men fan." Admittedly, I'm not sure that it does that for me yet, but I do enjoy where this is going so far. Personally, I really enjoy the voices in this run from what I've read and this feels very grounded. I get loving big battles, but my favorite moments from any of the shows was seeing the more grounded side of the X-Men and getting to know everyone. This does that for me. There's a lot to unfold, but I'm enjoying this direction so far.

Essentially, this starts with Rogue, Gambit, and Wolverine regrouping from nothing and finding their way and purpose now that there is no X-Men. These issues explore what they all want from one another and if they need to be the ones to pick up the mantle of "X-Men." I think the narrative does a good job making you care for the group and every issue it feels like something new is being revealed. The only thing is that midway through this, you are introduced to a new group of mutants and they aren't the most likeable group. You get pieces of who they are, but it takes a while to get used to them and I'm left wondering if I even want to know who they are. There are some nice moments with them, but the moments prior with Rogue and Wolverine are just more captivating. That said, it does enough to keep you interested in what happens next, in my opinion.

[Anna Quilter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably the go to X Men title since the relaunch.

Even though it's a team fronted by Rogue and Gambit...as Wolverine says we don't really need Scott up in everyone's face every minute.

Appreciated Wolverines vulnerability with his last drink with his buddies..

[Ewelina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rogue + Gambit = my comfort zone

Gail Simone + X-men = a perfect match

[Tyler · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first time collecting an ongoing run of a X-Men title. Read as individual comics, ratings below:

#1= 3.5 stars
#2= 3.5 stars
#3= 4 stars
#4= 3.5 stars
#5= 2 stars
#6= 3.5 stars

Overall rating of 3.5 stars

[Brandon Daniels · Rating 2 out of 5]

The art is nice…