The Uncanny X-Men, Vol. 3: Murder Me, Mutina

The Uncanny X-Men (2024)

by Gail Simone, Luciano Vecchio (Artist), David Márquez (Artist)

Acclaimed scribe Gail Simone continues her uncanny take on the X-Men! When a brilliant but exploitative Hollywood director makes a surprise-hit horror film featuring a serial-killing mutant girl, there are protests at theaters around the country - and a rise in anti-mutant violence in those same communities. But is it "just a movie," or is something much more insidious going on? Things are looking up when, for the first time in New Orleans history, the city declares a Mutant Appreciation Day festival and street fair, with all the music, food and fun the city is famous for. If the Hellfire Gala is filet mignon, this is corn dogs and lemonade. But are all mutants okay with this attempt at bridging the gap, or are sinister forces lurking behind the Tilt-A-Whirl? Deadpool and Outlaw come to town, guns blazing! And the two baddest brawlers of the Louisiana X-Men - Wolverine and Ransom - buddy up to go undercover in faraway Argentina to chase and destroy a legendary X-villain…at a comic-book convention?! Collecting UNCANNY X-MEN (2024) #17-21.

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

120 pages, Paperback

Published December 16, 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

[Khurram · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have to say this book feels more like the New Mutants book. I understand using the X-MEN as mentors and rebuilding the mutants reputation but I want the X-MEN taking centre stage and fighting their super villains.

Mutants hate is at an all time high, mow a controversial horror movie about a mutant slasher. What is the truth about the lead actress?

Have the Uncanny X-MEN found a home? Are the appreciated again?

A story going back to Free Comic Book Day. Did they really need Deadpool in this story?

A voice message opens old family wounds for Ransom. However he now has the backup of his new family in the form of Wolverine.

I wanted this to be the X-MENs book again. There is enough going on with the X-MEN why does this book need the Outliers? The book finishes with a variant cover gallery.

[Rob Marney · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I really like the overall direction the book is going. The art is a splendid example of the house style, the New Mutants are charming and cheesy, and the Claremont Excalibur vibe of "we're out here chilling and solving small scale personal issues" is delightful. Unfortunately, Simone just doesn't know how to write Wolverine, and he's front and center in this trade. It really pulls me out of the narrative flow, from when to pop his claws to the 2020s dialogue to generally being written like Canadian Gambit. It's also disappointing that the New Mutants have immediately paired up into romance and bromance, making sure they stay self-contained and don't get to have fun with the rest of the cast when they guest star on next year's crossover event.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.3 stars

[Jourdy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kept up with this in single issues! I really like this run, Deathdream is my favorite. Once everything…calms down I’ll be excited to get back to them all :3

[Raquel · Rating 5 out of 5]

( I read the collected issues, so am considering this volume read.)

As usual, Gail Simone delivers a fantastic story with great characters. And the art by Luciano Vecchio and David Marquez is excellent.

I'm so happy that we get to read such a nice X-Men series. Can't wait to see what happens next.

[Chris Lemmerman · Rating 4 out of 5]

After some big heavy-hitting storylines like Raid on Graymalkin, Dark Artery, and X-Manhunt, this volume of Uncanny X-Men focuses in on some character-driven stories.

The opening Mutina arc is an interesting commentary on the state of mutants in the Marvel Universe atm, and the effect she has on the various characters is surprising, as is the truth of her. The focus zeroes in even further for the latter half, with an issue all about Jubilee, and a two-parter that gives us some back story for Ransom as he and Wolverine team-up.

There's a quote on the back of this trade that I think really sums up why I like this book so much - every scene does something, whether it's make you laugh, give you some insight into the characters' minds, or smash a big hole in something expensive. Gail Simone leaves no page unplumbed for story potential.

My only gripe I think is that David Marquez only drew one issue of the five, which felt kinda rushed. Luciano Vecchio's other four issues were great though, so I guess it's less of a gripe than I thought.

[Nate Deprey · Rating 4 out of 5]

You shouldn't judge a book by its cover but boy oh boy should the cover of this collection be the cover of Uncanny X-Men 17. That is probably my favorite cover of any comic in the last two years or so and feels like a real missed opportunity here. All that said, Gail Simone is doing great stuff with this series. The new kids, especially Deathdream, are pretty fun and the established characters on the team she really has a handle on.

[Matt Sautman · Rating 4 out of 5]

As opposed to other volumes in Simone’s run, this volume feels less cohesive due to the minimal presence Mutina serves after the core storyline shifts towards a cult. The comics here are good quality but would be better served read back to back with other trade paperbacks to conceal the faults present here.

[Scarred Wizard · Rating 3 out of 5]

While the artwork is good (i prefer David Marquez's), this volume feels a bit wordy & more dialogue than action. And the build up for Mutina is so intense & the stakes are high.. But it ended only in two issue? That is quite short.

The issue with the team being superheroic saving citizens inside the burning hospital is really good.

I need more action.

Overall rating : 6.5/10

[vixi ⋆˚࿔ · Rating 5 out of 5]

i think i’m definitely biased towards this because calico &rogue are my favourite characters in this run, &they’re definitely focused on in this, but this was so fun!! i also really enjoyed the emphasis placed on ransom, because it kind of felt like he was just there to compliment everyone else’s characters beforehand

[Chad · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bunch of OK one and done stories while we wait for this X Years from Now event to start. The best you can say about this is that it's fine. I remember the days when X-Men comics were at the top of the pile every week. I wish we could get back to those days.

[Csenge · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like this series. I hope once they are done with whatever event is happening in Age of Revelations, we get to go back to this.

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Single issues. This was a lot of fun. Nothing earth-shattering but fun. I loved the Mutina issue. And I had a lot of fun with the Logan/Ransom mentor/buddy relationship.

[Tyler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read as individual comics, ratings below:

#17= 4 stars
#18= 2.5 stars
#19= 3 stars
#20= 3.5 stars
#21= 3.5 stars

Overall rating of 3.5 stars

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

if simone x-men has no fans left i am DEAD

[Mateusz Nowowiejski · Rating 4 out of 5]

2025

[canivetepreto]

(read all the chapters separately)