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Uncanny X-Men (1963) #495-499
Uncanny X-Men: Divided We Stand
Reeling from the events of Messiah Complex, the surviving mutants reassess Xavier's dream amidst the rubble of the mansion. Betrayed by one of their own, and mourning the loss of former allies, is peaceful coexistence still an option?
The only thing that's certain is an uncertain future for mutantkind. Is anyone safe in a world without X-Men?
Collects Uncanny X-Men #495-499.
The only thing that's certain is an uncertain future for mutantkind. Is anyone safe in a world without X-Men?
Collects Uncanny X-Men #495-499.
160 pages, Paperback
First published October 8, 2008
About the author
Ed Brubaker
1,819 books3,067 followersEd Brubaker (born November 17, 1966) is an Eisner Award-winning American cartoonist and writer. He was born at the National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland.
Brubaker is best known for his work as a comic book writer on such titles as Batman, Daredevil, Captain America, Iron Fist, Catwoman, Gotham Central and Uncanny X-Men. In more recent years, he has focused solely on creator-owned titles for Image Comics, such as Fatale, Criminal, Velvet and Kill or Be Killed.
In 2016, Brubaker ventured into television, joining the writing staff of the HBO series Westworld.
Brubaker is best known for his work as a comic book writer on such titles as Batman, Daredevil, Captain America, Iron Fist, Catwoman, Gotham Central and Uncanny X-Men. In more recent years, he has focused solely on creator-owned titles for Image Comics, such as Fatale, Criminal, Velvet and Kill or Be Killed.
In 2016, Brubaker ventured into television, joining the writing staff of the HBO series Westworld.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
December 24, 2017
I really enjoyed this one; it was just SO MUCH FUN! It reminded me of how superhero comics were when I was a kid, before they got all grim and dark. Great stuff.
July 9, 2018
So...I finally found a comic/run by Brubaker I just did NOT like. I never knew this day would come.
Divided we Stand is basically a mixture of bringing back the old school feel of x-men with a bit of darkness splashed in between. I guess x-men got too dark with Messiah Complex (Which was excellent btw) and so they wanted to go back to more adventure feel of X-Men. In this one we follow Emma and Cyclops trying to figure out a secret plot and alternate reality thing going on. Wolverine, Nightcrawler, and more go on their own mission. Dunno why it's called Divided we Stand though...
Good: Some solid interaction moments with Emma and Cyclops. The colorful art is also a positive.
Bad: I thought the storyline was pretty dull and lifeless. The dialog between the villains and heroes is really bad. It feels like Brubaker was just not in to this series and this was his last go at it all.
Overall this was okay. Just like most of Brubaker's x-men stuff it's not horrible but I can't see myself ever revisiting this. A 2 out of 5.
Divided we Stand is basically a mixture of bringing back the old school feel of x-men with a bit of darkness splashed in between. I guess x-men got too dark with Messiah Complex (Which was excellent btw) and so they wanted to go back to more adventure feel of X-Men. In this one we follow Emma and Cyclops trying to figure out a secret plot and alternate reality thing going on. Wolverine, Nightcrawler, and more go on their own mission. Dunno why it's called Divided we Stand though...
Good: Some solid interaction moments with Emma and Cyclops. The colorful art is also a positive.
Bad: I thought the storyline was pretty dull and lifeless. The dialog between the villains and heroes is really bad. It feels like Brubaker was just not in to this series and this was his last go at it all.
Overall this was okay. Just like most of Brubaker's x-men stuff it's not horrible but I can't see myself ever revisiting this. A 2 out of 5.
October 13, 2021
This starts with Scott and Emma having a trip in the savage land and then going to some place which has become like the 60s and finding Angel and others changed into hippie and the general populace of that area and find that its Lady Mastermind (Martinique Wyngarde) and so its upto them to save this town and in the other story Wolverine, Nghtcrawler and Colossus go to russia, bar fight, getting captured and experimented, fighting Omega Red and then relocating to SF!
Its a good story with predictable twists and I love the way it comes along and the throwback to 60s is cool and the return of Omega Red too and good character pieces for Piotr and Scott and the art is alright for the most part, its not the biggest story ever but is just a fine, one and done read.
Its a good story with predictable twists and I love the way it comes along and the throwback to 60s is cool and the return of Omega Red too and good character pieces for Piotr and Scott and the art is alright for the most part, its not the biggest story ever but is just a fine, one and done read.
August 2, 2016
In the aftermath of Messiah CompleX, the X-Men are disbanded and homeless.
It looks like the writer enjoyed X-Men: Liberators, a 90's miniseries starring Wolverine, Colossus, and Nightcrawler because essentially, it has been remade as a B-plot for this storyline. I can't shake the feeling that Brubaker is phoning this one in because this was his last storyline as solo writer. Matt Fraction would come in a few issues later to co-write and then take over Uncanny X-Men as solo writer.
The best part about this story is the Mike Choi art. It's just too pretty for words. I wonder if he's still doing comics.
It looks like the writer enjoyed X-Men: Liberators, a 90's miniseries starring Wolverine, Colossus, and Nightcrawler because essentially, it has been remade as a B-plot for this storyline. I can't shake the feeling that Brubaker is phoning this one in because this was his last storyline as solo writer. Matt Fraction would come in a few issues later to co-write and then take over Uncanny X-Men as solo writer.
The best part about this story is the Mike Choi art. It's just too pretty for words. I wonder if he's still doing comics.
September 29, 2025
I missed this brief post-Messiah Complex, pre-Matt Fraction period of Uncanny X-Men - and I'm surprisingly glad I went back! Not that this is essential stuff, but it's good clean fun. Mercifully, it's focused too.
We jump back and forth between two storylines: Emma and Cyclops figuring things out after the Messiah Complex fallout and Nightcrawler, Wolverine, and Colossus on vacation in Russia. Predictably, issues crop up during the vacation - namely, the Red Room wants the mutants since all theirs were depowered during M-Day. Fun battles with some Russki Sentinels and Omega Red ensue.
Emma and Cyclops, on the other hand, get an odd message from Angel, who seems to have been hypnotized into the hippie life in San Francisco. Admittedly, this storyline is much more dull, though it does explain why the mutants settled in San Francisco.
Quality stuff! Moves fast, easy to pick up. Not gonna win any awards, but better than the more convoluted elements of X-History.
We jump back and forth between two storylines: Emma and Cyclops figuring things out after the Messiah Complex fallout and Nightcrawler, Wolverine, and Colossus on vacation in Russia. Predictably, issues crop up during the vacation - namely, the Red Room wants the mutants since all theirs were depowered during M-Day. Fun battles with some Russki Sentinels and Omega Red ensue.
Emma and Cyclops, on the other hand, get an odd message from Angel, who seems to have been hypnotized into the hippie life in San Francisco. Admittedly, this storyline is much more dull, though it does explain why the mutants settled in San Francisco.
Quality stuff! Moves fast, easy to pick up. Not gonna win any awards, but better than the more convoluted elements of X-History.
August 23, 2014
Maybe I should have read Messiah Complex first. I kind of know what happened before this book starts, but I'm pretty fuzzy on the specifics. I wasn't entirely lost, but it might have been nice to know exactly what was going on. Not sure how much that would have helped.
The book starts strong, with Iron Man trying to tell Cyclops that the merry mutants need to get registered. You can guess how that went over. It's a good scene, and it's always nice to see somebody remember to connect the X books to the rest of the Marvel universe. But the rest of this collection was nothing to speak of. It felt a lot like treading water until something more interesting could happen. And something finally does happen, at the end of the book. But everything between the first scene and the last was so dull that I'm struggling to remember what happened. Not even including Nightcrawler, my absolute favorite, in roughly half of the scenes could save it. It's just a really skippable volume.
The book starts strong, with Iron Man trying to tell Cyclops that the merry mutants need to get registered. You can guess how that went over. It's a good scene, and it's always nice to see somebody remember to connect the X books to the rest of the Marvel universe. But the rest of this collection was nothing to speak of. It felt a lot like treading water until something more interesting could happen. And something finally does happen, at the end of the book. But everything between the first scene and the last was so dull that I'm struggling to remember what happened. Not even including Nightcrawler, my absolute favorite, in roughly half of the scenes could save it. It's just a really skippable volume.
March 9, 2018
Just groovy, comrades.
Cyclops and Emma Frost turn on / tune in / drop out into Flower-Power late 60's San Francisco on a trippy search for a re-routed and lost Angel. At the same time Wolverine and Nightcrawler accompany a despondent Colossus on a present-day trip to his motherland that predictably takes a turn for the worse. Probably not essential reading, but still fun and the artwork is fantastic. The detailed attention to minor visual details during Cyclops and Emma's 'Frisco' segment - like their hippie clothing and the police cars (accurately rendered as '65/'66 Dodge Polaras, BTW) - was a definite highlight of this book.
Cyclops and Emma Frost turn on / tune in / drop out into Flower-Power late 60's San Francisco on a trippy search for a re-routed and lost Angel. At the same time Wolverine and Nightcrawler accompany a despondent Colossus on a present-day trip to his motherland that predictably takes a turn for the worse. Probably not essential reading, but still fun and the artwork is fantastic. The detailed attention to minor visual details during Cyclops and Emma's 'Frisco' segment - like their hippie clothing and the police cars (accurately rendered as '65/'66 Dodge Polaras, BTW) - was a definite highlight of this book.
August 8, 2022
This volume stands in contrast to the last major storyline of the Uncanny book - Messiah Complex. Because while that was bleak and dark - this volume felt much more fun and adventurous.
This volume had two simultaneous storylines in it. First we have Emma and Scott investigating why a San Francisco block has suddenly reverted back to the 60's and second is Colossus, Wolverine, and Nightcrawler going back to Russia and ending up in a secret Russian military base where they encounter.... Omega Red! DUN DUN DUNNNN.
This was a really fun read. Definitely gave me the Claremontian vibes of days gone by where the X Men would just have these crazy and dangerous adventures in between the major storylines. I think Brubaker hit the nail on the head with balancing fun and dangerous, as it can be hard to make something fun and at the same time, maintain a sense of danger as well. The Omega Red storyline in particular was awesome with some great action scenes.
Overall, a bit inconsequential, but a nice breather from the heaviness of Messiah Complex. However, it seems things are ramping back up to deal with that as well, and I'm all for it. Highly recommended for old school fans of the X-Men.
This volume had two simultaneous storylines in it. First we have Emma and Scott investigating why a San Francisco block has suddenly reverted back to the 60's and second is Colossus, Wolverine, and Nightcrawler going back to Russia and ending up in a secret Russian military base where they encounter.... Omega Red! DUN DUN DUNNNN.
This was a really fun read. Definitely gave me the Claremontian vibes of days gone by where the X Men would just have these crazy and dangerous adventures in between the major storylines. I think Brubaker hit the nail on the head with balancing fun and dangerous, as it can be hard to make something fun and at the same time, maintain a sense of danger as well. The Omega Red storyline in particular was awesome with some great action scenes.
Overall, a bit inconsequential, but a nice breather from the heaviness of Messiah Complex. However, it seems things are ramping back up to deal with that as well, and I'm all for it. Highly recommended for old school fans of the X-Men.
October 23, 2020
3.25 stars. The stuff with Nightcrawler, Colossus and Wolverine was pretty dope. The other story with Cyclops and Emma was just OK.
July 15, 2019
Yeah baby!!!
With all the drama and doom of the last few X arcs, I had forgotten how much damn fun it could be. This was a blast. It starts off with some quality Scott and Emma down time, and quickly evolves into a story in two fronts; in Russia, Colossus, Nightcrawler and Wolverine are getting in trouble, and in San Francisco, Cyclops and Emma have stumbled into a psionic fantasy world that resembles the 60s. The whole thing is engaging, funny and exciting. This is a concise, punchy story that gets to where it needs to go without any filler. I really loved it. It reminded me of some of my favorite aspects of old X Men. Brubaker’s run on this title was much better than anyone gives him credit for.
As far as the art goes, two words; Mile Choi. Need I say more? Attractive panels, gorgeous splash pages, and well characterized faces. All of it had a nice glossy sheen to it, and it was a pleasure to look at.
This isn’t too heavily mired in continuity, so it’s one of the rare UXM arcs anyone can pick up and enjoy... but it’s also well aware of where it fits in relation to M day and Messiah CompleX.
You’re gonna love this no matter who you are
With all the drama and doom of the last few X arcs, I had forgotten how much damn fun it could be. This was a blast. It starts off with some quality Scott and Emma down time, and quickly evolves into a story in two fronts; in Russia, Colossus, Nightcrawler and Wolverine are getting in trouble, and in San Francisco, Cyclops and Emma have stumbled into a psionic fantasy world that resembles the 60s. The whole thing is engaging, funny and exciting. This is a concise, punchy story that gets to where it needs to go without any filler. I really loved it. It reminded me of some of my favorite aspects of old X Men. Brubaker’s run on this title was much better than anyone gives him credit for.
As far as the art goes, two words; Mile Choi. Need I say more? Attractive panels, gorgeous splash pages, and well characterized faces. All of it had a nice glossy sheen to it, and it was a pleasure to look at.
This isn’t too heavily mired in continuity, so it’s one of the rare UXM arcs anyone can pick up and enjoy... but it’s also well aware of where it fits in relation to M day and Messiah CompleX.
You’re gonna love this no matter who you are
July 17, 2023
I have read many of the X-Men comics right before and after this in the timeline of events, so this was a nice filler for me.
I don’t know why, but I have always enjoyed Scott and Emma’s relationship and this volume is no different.
I don’t know why, but I have always enjoyed Scott and Emma’s relationship and this volume is no different.
June 23, 2018
This was a really fun book. Nothing amazing, but still a pretty good interlude between Messiah Complex and the X-Men's move to San Francisco. If anything, I think Brubaker nailed the "road trip" vibe. It was a very nice change of scenery on all fronts.
We start off with Emma and Cyclops on vacation in the Savage Land, which is a nice reprise from the craziness of Messiah Complex. It was nice to see them relax a bit, and the change of scenery was welcome (especially since they weren't in the Savage Land for a mission). Eventually they get contacted by Angel who is with Iceman, Warpath, and Hepzibah, about something weird going down in San Francisco. When they get there, the whole city has been reverted back to a '60s hippie town, including their friends. Turns out the cause is a telepath, so they end up having to get to the bottom of it. It was cool to see Cyclops easily kick four of his friends' asses single-handedly, proving his combat prowess even regardless of his lasers. Brubaker is the perfect person to write about a hippie town given his past, and it really shows in this arc.
On the other side of the coin, and of the world, we have Wolverine, Colossus, and Nightcrawler. They are in Russia visiting Colossus' parents' graves, when they get abducted by the Red Room. This part of the comic turns into a great action story where they try to escape and have to battle a very powerful mutant. This serves as good contrast to the other story, providing a darker, more action-oriented flavor reminiscent of X-Force. Lots of fun. These three characters have amazing conversational and combat synergy, and Brubaker really gets how to write them.
Eventually the two groups meet in San Francisco where they have cemented plans to set up their new base there.
As for the art, Michael Choi's art is pretty great as usual, and Sonia Oback's colors are equally as good. The last issue features art from Ben Oliver with Jason Keith on colors and it's even better. Solid art all around.
All in all, this was a fun little break from all the craziness in Messiah Complex and the rest of Brubaker's run, like the Rise and Fall of the Shi'ar Empire. Nothing wholly special, but it serves its purpose perfectly. It goes back to basics, which is very refreshing given the intensity of recent events. Fun adventure, great character interactions, and great pacing between the two stories. I give it a solid 8/10. Some might say it's filler, but that's exactly what this run needed at this point in time, and it did move the X-Men from the East Coast to the West Coast.
We start off with Emma and Cyclops on vacation in the Savage Land, which is a nice reprise from the craziness of Messiah Complex. It was nice to see them relax a bit, and the change of scenery was welcome (especially since they weren't in the Savage Land for a mission). Eventually they get contacted by Angel who is with Iceman, Warpath, and Hepzibah, about something weird going down in San Francisco. When they get there, the whole city has been reverted back to a '60s hippie town, including their friends. Turns out the cause is a telepath, so they end up having to get to the bottom of it. It was cool to see Cyclops easily kick four of his friends' asses single-handedly, proving his combat prowess even regardless of his lasers. Brubaker is the perfect person to write about a hippie town given his past, and it really shows in this arc.
On the other side of the coin, and of the world, we have Wolverine, Colossus, and Nightcrawler. They are in Russia visiting Colossus' parents' graves, when they get abducted by the Red Room. This part of the comic turns into a great action story where they try to escape and have to battle a very powerful mutant. This serves as good contrast to the other story, providing a darker, more action-oriented flavor reminiscent of X-Force. Lots of fun. These three characters have amazing conversational and combat synergy, and Brubaker really gets how to write them.
Eventually the two groups meet in San Francisco where they have cemented plans to set up their new base there.
As for the art, Michael Choi's art is pretty great as usual, and Sonia Oback's colors are equally as good. The last issue features art from Ben Oliver with Jason Keith on colors and it's even better. Solid art all around.
All in all, this was a fun little break from all the craziness in Messiah Complex and the rest of Brubaker's run, like the Rise and Fall of the Shi'ar Empire. Nothing wholly special, but it serves its purpose perfectly. It goes back to basics, which is very refreshing given the intensity of recent events. Fun adventure, great character interactions, and great pacing between the two stories. I give it a solid 8/10. Some might say it's filler, but that's exactly what this run needed at this point in time, and it did move the X-Men from the East Coast to the West Coast.
May 31, 2021
One of the best X-Men books in while!
Despite the very thin plot, this book was excellent. Showing where the different X-Men are in the wake of X-Men: Messiah CompleX. With Scott and Emma vacationing in the Savage Land, and Logan, Kurt and Piotr traveling through Germany and Russia.
The story is fine, but what makes the book such a delight is how fun it is. No dreary depression X-Men, just a very fun story. The ending is great too, leaving you on an enough of a cliffhanger to actually want to read the next volume, which is something Uncanny hasn't been able to achieve in a long time.
Highly recommended to everyone who likes X-Men and specifically people following the events of Messiah CompleX.
Despite the very thin plot, this book was excellent. Showing where the different X-Men are in the wake of X-Men: Messiah CompleX. With Scott and Emma vacationing in the Savage Land, and Logan, Kurt and Piotr traveling through Germany and Russia.
The story is fine, but what makes the book such a delight is how fun it is. No dreary depression X-Men, just a very fun story. The ending is great too, leaving you on an enough of a cliffhanger to actually want to read the next volume, which is something Uncanny hasn't been able to achieve in a long time.
Highly recommended to everyone who likes X-Men and specifically people following the events of Messiah CompleX.
October 28, 2011
Brief History:
Alright, so I am basically new to reading “X-Men” comics and lately, I have been reading these X-Men comics out of order lately. The first X-Men comic I have actually read was Joss Whedon’s run on “Astonishing X-Men” and then I read the classic X-Men storyline that put the X-Men on the map “The Dark Phoenix Saga.” Now, I am reading “Divided We Stand,” which is a stand-alone story that comes after the “Messiah Complex,” which I have not read yet, but will probably read soon.
What is the story?
After the events of the “Messiah Complex,” the X-Men have gone separate ways and basically, this event focuses on Emma Frost, Cyclops, Colossus, Wolverine and Nightcrawler. On one side of the story, Emma Frost and Cyclops are enjoying a quiet time in the Savage Lands until they get a distressed call from San Francisco and realize that the city has somehow reverted back to the 1960s! Meanwhile, Colossus, Wolverine and Nightcrawler all journey to Russia and they found out that weird things are happening there!
What I loved about this comic:
Ed Brubaker’s writing: Ed Brubaker has done a great job at writing this stand-alone story about the five X-Men characters, Emma Frost, Cyclops, Wolverine, Colossus and Nightcrawler. I loved the way that Ed Brubaker crafted the character interactions between the characters, especially through Emma and Cyclops. I loved seeing their loving relationship with each other and I loved how Emma tried to comfort Cyclops in his insecurities about being a good team leader while they were in the Savage Lands. I also enjoyed the scene where San Francisco was mysteriously changed back into the 1960s era since it provided a surreal quality to the story. But probably my favorite part in Ed Brubaker’s writing was how he had written the friendship between Colossus, Wolverine, and Nightcrawler as they were shown being very close to each other and communicating with each other in a friendly and humorous manner. I also loved their fight with Omega Red, one of my favorite villains as the scene and the dialogue that took place was quite intense.
Michael Choi’s illustrations: Oh my goodness! Michael Choi’s illustrations are simply dazzling in this stand-alone story! I loved the way Michael Choi illustrated the background scenery for the Savage Lands as there are exotic trees surrounding Emma and Cyclops and I loved the images of the animals such as the dinosaurs being drawn in the Savage Lands, which gave the Savage Lands a very exotic feel. I also loved the way that Michael Choi drew the characters in this story as they all look extremely realistic and gorgeous. My favorite images were of the core characters, Emma, Cyclops, Wolverine, Colossus, and Nightcrawler as they all look gorgeous and I loved the fact that Nightcrawler is wearing a suit at the beginning of the story. I also loved the way that the fight scenes with Omega Red were illustrated as it was epic and it was interesting seeing Omega Red without a suit on and he really looked like a real human being with tentacles.
The characters: I have to admit that all the characters in this story were done extremely well! Probably the best characters in this story were Nightcrawler, Wolverine and Colossus since their friendship has been strong for years. I loved how Nightcrawler, Wolverine, and Colossus always joke with each other about the recent events and how they tried to comfort each other after the aftermath of the events in “Messiah Complex,” especially when Colossus was morning the lost of his sister and Kitty. I also loved the relationship between Emma and Cyclops as they are truly likeable characters in this story.
What made me feel uncomfortable about this book:
The only problem I had with this book is that it was a little bit too slow in many places. I really liked Wolverine, Colossus and Nightcrawler’s side of the story better since it was more action-packed than Emma and Cyclops’ story and I loved seeing the relationship between Colossus, Wolverine and Nightcrawler as that was my favorite part of the older X-Men comics. Even though it was interesting seeing the interactions between the characters, the plot was a little slow in pacing and I find myself skimming over most of the scenes in this story.
Final Thoughts:
Overall, “Divided We Stand” might be a bit too slow in some parts of the story, but this was a really interesting read as a stand-alone story and for X-Men fans that enjoyed reading about the character development through these characters and enjoyed the character interactions will definitely enjoyed this story of the X-Men “Divided We Stand.”
Alright, so I am basically new to reading “X-Men” comics and lately, I have been reading these X-Men comics out of order lately. The first X-Men comic I have actually read was Joss Whedon’s run on “Astonishing X-Men” and then I read the classic X-Men storyline that put the X-Men on the map “The Dark Phoenix Saga.” Now, I am reading “Divided We Stand,” which is a stand-alone story that comes after the “Messiah Complex,” which I have not read yet, but will probably read soon.
What is the story?
After the events of the “Messiah Complex,” the X-Men have gone separate ways and basically, this event focuses on Emma Frost, Cyclops, Colossus, Wolverine and Nightcrawler. On one side of the story, Emma Frost and Cyclops are enjoying a quiet time in the Savage Lands until they get a distressed call from San Francisco and realize that the city has somehow reverted back to the 1960s! Meanwhile, Colossus, Wolverine and Nightcrawler all journey to Russia and they found out that weird things are happening there!
What I loved about this comic:
Ed Brubaker’s writing: Ed Brubaker has done a great job at writing this stand-alone story about the five X-Men characters, Emma Frost, Cyclops, Wolverine, Colossus and Nightcrawler. I loved the way that Ed Brubaker crafted the character interactions between the characters, especially through Emma and Cyclops. I loved seeing their loving relationship with each other and I loved how Emma tried to comfort Cyclops in his insecurities about being a good team leader while they were in the Savage Lands. I also enjoyed the scene where San Francisco was mysteriously changed back into the 1960s era since it provided a surreal quality to the story. But probably my favorite part in Ed Brubaker’s writing was how he had written the friendship between Colossus, Wolverine, and Nightcrawler as they were shown being very close to each other and communicating with each other in a friendly and humorous manner. I also loved their fight with Omega Red, one of my favorite villains as the scene and the dialogue that took place was quite intense.
Michael Choi’s illustrations: Oh my goodness! Michael Choi’s illustrations are simply dazzling in this stand-alone story! I loved the way Michael Choi illustrated the background scenery for the Savage Lands as there are exotic trees surrounding Emma and Cyclops and I loved the images of the animals such as the dinosaurs being drawn in the Savage Lands, which gave the Savage Lands a very exotic feel. I also loved the way that Michael Choi drew the characters in this story as they all look extremely realistic and gorgeous. My favorite images were of the core characters, Emma, Cyclops, Wolverine, Colossus, and Nightcrawler as they all look gorgeous and I loved the fact that Nightcrawler is wearing a suit at the beginning of the story. I also loved the way that the fight scenes with Omega Red were illustrated as it was epic and it was interesting seeing Omega Red without a suit on and he really looked like a real human being with tentacles.
The characters: I have to admit that all the characters in this story were done extremely well! Probably the best characters in this story were Nightcrawler, Wolverine and Colossus since their friendship has been strong for years. I loved how Nightcrawler, Wolverine, and Colossus always joke with each other about the recent events and how they tried to comfort each other after the aftermath of the events in “Messiah Complex,” especially when Colossus was morning the lost of his sister and Kitty. I also loved the relationship between Emma and Cyclops as they are truly likeable characters in this story.
What made me feel uncomfortable about this book:
The only problem I had with this book is that it was a little bit too slow in many places. I really liked Wolverine, Colossus and Nightcrawler’s side of the story better since it was more action-packed than Emma and Cyclops’ story and I loved seeing the relationship between Colossus, Wolverine and Nightcrawler as that was my favorite part of the older X-Men comics. Even though it was interesting seeing the interactions between the characters, the plot was a little slow in pacing and I find myself skimming over most of the scenes in this story.
Final Thoughts:
Overall, “Divided We Stand” might be a bit too slow in some parts of the story, but this was a really interesting read as a stand-alone story and for X-Men fans that enjoyed reading about the character development through these characters and enjoyed the character interactions will definitely enjoyed this story of the X-Men “Divided We Stand.”
April 27, 2024
A very strange and quick tale that focuses on Emma and Scott in the Savage Land and then what appears to be 1969 San Francisco. Crazy costumes, a new(ish) villain, and what I assume will be the new home for the team. This run also follows the adventures of Nightcrawler, Wolverine, and Colossus in Russia. Brubaker’s Wolverine saves this story from being run of the mill and there is some relatively powerful dialogue in a Siberian bar.
December 28, 2014
I really enjoyed this story! I love the Hippie era stuff and getting to see the Summer of Love illustrated so beautifully in an X-men comics was awesome! Mike Choi's art is wonderful! Emma coming up with Hippie disguises for her and Scott was great! Scott had never looked better! I love how he was a big fan of the look! I really want to cosplay Hippie Emma with a Hippie Scott now! It was great to see also Hippie Warpath, Angel, Iceman, Hepizbah, and Martinique! This was such a fun arc! It was nice to see Emma Frost and Scott Summer's Savage Land vacation. We got to see lots of moments of why they were a great couple together. Colossus, Nightcrawler and Wolverine's buddy trip was even nice, but not as great as Emma and Scottt's. The Russian Red Room parts were cool and getting to see Omega Red in action again was worth it! Omega Red is such a great villain! He is so purely despicable and yet you love him for it! He is one of the X-Men's greatest villains! You should all read this! It's nice when they have an X-men story that has a more lighthearted feel to it and that focuses more on the character then the actions around them.
August 23, 2025
Updated Review During 2025 X-Readthrough:
This is probably the worst Ed Brubaker book out there. I get that they wanted to do something light after the big event but I don't think anyone was clamoring for "What if the daughter of the second least well-known Hellfire Club member turned San Francisco back to the 1960s?" The b-story, where Wolverine, Colossus, and Nightcrawler travel to Russia and the most obvious thing that could happen happens, is also very boring.
There is no reason to read this book, as it was clearly just treading water...or cat pee. My cat made her own review of this book, so I have thrown my copy away.
***
Original 2018 Review:
I've read this book at least three times since it came out, and all I can ever remember about it is "The X-Men go to San Francisco, and have to deal with a 1960s time distortion. All while spouting absolutely trite dialog, whether you're in the 1960s or 2008." It also includes some of the storyline from the Wolverine Origins/Wolverine storyline, which is not a plus.
This is probably the worst Ed Brubaker book out there. I get that they wanted to do something light after the big event but I don't think anyone was clamoring for "What if the daughter of the second least well-known Hellfire Club member turned San Francisco back to the 1960s?" The b-story, where Wolverine, Colossus, and Nightcrawler travel to Russia and the most obvious thing that could happen happens, is also very boring.
There is no reason to read this book, as it was clearly just treading water...or cat pee. My cat made her own review of this book, so I have thrown my copy away.
***
Original 2018 Review:
I've read this book at least three times since it came out, and all I can ever remember about it is "The X-Men go to San Francisco, and have to deal with a 1960s time distortion. All while spouting absolutely trite dialog, whether you're in the 1960s or 2008." It also includes some of the storyline from the Wolverine Origins/Wolverine storyline, which is not a plus.
February 24, 2016
Right after the events of Messiah Complex, as Cable escapes off to the future to raise the baby, we see the X-Men taking time off and thinking about what to do next. Half the book deals with Colossus, Wolverine and Nightcrawler in Russia visiting Piotr's family graves, only to come into contact with some agents and the deadly Omega Red. They win out (obviously) and get the call to come back to the States.
The other half is about Cyclops and Emma Frost first taking a vacation in the Savage Land, then heading to San Francisco to rescue Warpath, Hepzibah, Angel, and Iceman as they experience a telepaths' attack on the city, drawing everyone into 60's hippie culture. This story is fun and kind of funny, and leads to the only important part of the book: The X-Men setting up a new base in San Fran. Otherwise, this particular graphic novel is skippable, yet lightheartedly enjoyable.
Recommend, but only for a low key read.... and a laugh at X-Men dressed like hippies.
The other half is about Cyclops and Emma Frost first taking a vacation in the Savage Land, then heading to San Francisco to rescue Warpath, Hepzibah, Angel, and Iceman as they experience a telepaths' attack on the city, drawing everyone into 60's hippie culture. This story is fun and kind of funny, and leads to the only important part of the book: The X-Men setting up a new base in San Fran. Otherwise, this particular graphic novel is skippable, yet lightheartedly enjoyable.
Recommend, but only for a low key read.... and a laugh at X-Men dressed like hippies.
August 2, 2010
Well, needless to say, the very first follow up story to Messiah Complex didn't quite live up to the appeal of its predecessor. Cyclops has decided to disband the X-Men after the events of Messiah Complex, or has he? Why is he sending some of the X-Men remaining on Earth to San Francisco? And more importantly, why is San Francisco reverting back to the 1960s? And how is this a decent continuation of the great story that was told in Messiah Complex? And what's the point of the story following Wolverine, Colossus and Nightcrawler in Russia?
Unfortunately, after such a great comeback (at least in my eyes) that happened with Messiah Complex, this collection falls short. Hopefully it's just staging the groundwork for some better stories in a new location (San Fran).
Unfortunately, after such a great comeback (at least in my eyes) that happened with Messiah Complex, this collection falls short. Hopefully it's just staging the groundwork for some better stories in a new location (San Fran).
July 14, 2009
Fairly unmemorable. In fact, sitting here 2 days after reading it, I find myself thinking, "what was it about"? Really, it seems like a bridge arc - something that was written just to transition between two larger, heavier arcs (not that I've read anything on either side). The artwork was acceptable - I liked Michael Choi's style, but not as much as Cassaday's work on Astonishing. I did enjoy seeing Emma and Scott again - for some reason that relationship actually appeals to me, and there was some humour - Angel's code name, for example. But that's about it.
June 23, 2024
The art is really amazing, i was worried they were going to change the artist midway like they always do when the art is that great. But it was only half of the last issue? The writing, considering its an X-men on vacation story, is great. I mean it's Brubaker.
Cyclops and Emma are in San Francisco trying to solve the mystery of the Hippie town. And that leads to where the future of the X-Men are headed.
Wolverine, Colossus and Nightcrawler take a trip to Russia. And it's the return of a great villain. With great battle scenes, a Great fight, beautiful art.
With Iceman, Angel, Warpath and Hepzibah Guest-Starring.
Cyclops and Emma are in San Francisco trying to solve the mystery of the Hippie town. And that leads to where the future of the X-Men are headed.
Wolverine, Colossus and Nightcrawler take a trip to Russia. And it's the return of a great villain. With great battle scenes, a Great fight, beautiful art.
With Iceman, Angel, Warpath and Hepzibah Guest-Starring.
February 28, 2018
Continuing the great x-read of 2017/18...
I just love it when I hit a string of volumes that are strong, fun reads.
This one is just... fun. Something that has disappeared a little from comics it seems. The 60s subplot with Cyke and Emma was great fun and made me like those two a little more. (I do feel that it would have been better/more fun if we also saw the story from the POV of the X-Men that were there and involved prior to Cyke/Emma's arrival...)
The backstory with Nightcrawler, Wolverine, and Colossus was pure 80s X-Men fun. Good to see Omega Red again as well even though he didn't put up that much of a fight.
Oh, and the art was fantastic.
I just love it when I hit a string of volumes that are strong, fun reads.
This one is just... fun. Something that has disappeared a little from comics it seems. The 60s subplot with Cyke and Emma was great fun and made me like those two a little more. (I do feel that it would have been better/more fun if we also saw the story from the POV of the X-Men that were there and involved prior to Cyke/Emma's arrival...)
The backstory with Nightcrawler, Wolverine, and Colossus was pure 80s X-Men fun. Good to see Omega Red again as well even though he didn't put up that much of a fight.
Oh, and the art was fantastic.
May 14, 2012
The hippy story was a little too goofy. It mixes with a grim Russian story. The two don't play off each other very well. But they at least feature some of the more interesting characters.
April 22, 2020
Complejo de Mesías había revolucionado las colecciones de mutantes hasta dejarlas prácticamente irreconocibles, y una de las decisiones más extremas que se tomaron, por ejemplo, fue reducir los equipos de X-Men a uno. Desde los años 90 habíamos tenido dos colecciones con alineaciones más o menos diferenciadas, pero después de Complejo de Mesías todos los X-Men se reunirían en una sola colección, Uncanny X-Men, la de toda la vida, mientras X-Men se convertía en una colección aparte, dedicada a Xavier, desaparecido tras el enfrentamiento con Bishop por Hope. Y al final de Complejo de Mesías, con la Escuela destruida y Xavier desaparecido (parecía de hecho que muerto), Cíclope había disuelto la Patrulla-X.
Y lo que nos vamos a encontrar en Divididos Resistiremos es precisamente lo ocurrido en las semanas posteriores a este acontecimiento, centrándose en dos grupos. Por un lado tendremos a Rondador, Lobezno y Coloso que acuden a Rusia para acompañar a este último en los días siguientes a la desaparición de Kitty Pryde para encontrarse allí con que los miembros de la Habitación Roja aún están interesados en los mutantes; y por otro lado Cíclope y Emma Frost van a reunirse con Sendero de Guerra, Hepzibah y Ángel en San Francisco... pero algo está cambiando la ciudad y de alguna manera, devolviéndola a la Primavera del Amor. Así que nos vamos a encontrar a unos X-Men hippies muy chulos dibujados por Mike Choi, que es bastante espectacular.
El último arco de Ed Brubaker en solitario antes de formar tándem en los guiones con Matt Fraction sirvió sobre todo para recolocar las piezas del tablero mutante por completo después de arrojarlas de la mesa de un golpe durante Complejo de Mesías, y es una historia sencilla, sin pretensiones, que sirve sobre todo para trasladar a la Patrulla lejos de su escenario habitual y ubicarles en una nueva ciudad y un nuevo entorno, San Francisco, aunque hace muchos, muchos años, la Patrulla ya había pasado un tiempo en la Bahía, acogidos en el piso de Jessica Drew...
Pero claro, de eso han pasado muuuuuchos años.
Y lo que nos vamos a encontrar en Divididos Resistiremos es precisamente lo ocurrido en las semanas posteriores a este acontecimiento, centrándose en dos grupos. Por un lado tendremos a Rondador, Lobezno y Coloso que acuden a Rusia para acompañar a este último en los días siguientes a la desaparición de Kitty Pryde para encontrarse allí con que los miembros de la Habitación Roja aún están interesados en los mutantes; y por otro lado Cíclope y Emma Frost van a reunirse con Sendero de Guerra, Hepzibah y Ángel en San Francisco... pero algo está cambiando la ciudad y de alguna manera, devolviéndola a la Primavera del Amor. Así que nos vamos a encontrar a unos X-Men hippies muy chulos dibujados por Mike Choi, que es bastante espectacular.
El último arco de Ed Brubaker en solitario antes de formar tándem en los guiones con Matt Fraction sirvió sobre todo para recolocar las piezas del tablero mutante por completo después de arrojarlas de la mesa de un golpe durante Complejo de Mesías, y es una historia sencilla, sin pretensiones, que sirve sobre todo para trasladar a la Patrulla lejos de su escenario habitual y ubicarles en una nueva ciudad y un nuevo entorno, San Francisco, aunque hace muchos, muchos años, la Patrulla ya había pasado un tiempo en la Bahía, acogidos en el piso de Jessica Drew...
Pero claro, de eso han pasado muuuuuchos años.
Read
September 24, 2024Pretty much a filler volume. The X-Men are disbanded following Xavier’s presumed death in Messiah Complex. After vacationing in the Savage Land, Scott and Emma get word that weird stuff is happening in San Francisco, with everyone more hippied out than usual. Meanwhile, Nightcrawler and Wolverine accompany Colossus to Russia to pay respects to his family. Naturally they encounter trouble there. This volume mainly serves to set up the next phase of the X-Men in San Francisco. The two plots are kinda fun but also predictable. The best part is Michael Choi’s gorgeous artwork. That panel in the last issue of Omega Red reflected in Colossus’ knuckles stopped me in my tracks. Unfortunately another artist draws part of the issue, interrupting the awesomeness of Choi’s art.
May 16, 2022
Minor spoilers, but just in case you’ve been warned.
This honestly was disappointing. I’m a big fan of Ed Brubaker’s Marvel stuff, and other work in this same run were much better, i.e. The Extremists and Messiah CompleX.
There are two storylines. One where Emma and Scott go to San Francisco, and the other is where the boys - Wolverine, Colossus, and Nightcrawler - go to Russia for Pete’s homecoming. The former was not, not in my opinion, explored enough and ended too quickly and abruptly. Really unlike Ed Brubaker. The latter was much more fleshed out, much better. And from a narrative standpoint, necessary.
This honestly was disappointing. I’m a big fan of Ed Brubaker’s Marvel stuff, and other work in this same run were much better, i.e. The Extremists and Messiah CompleX.
There are two storylines. One where Emma and Scott go to San Francisco, and the other is where the boys - Wolverine, Colossus, and Nightcrawler - go to Russia for Pete’s homecoming. The former was not, not in my opinion, explored enough and ended too quickly and abruptly. Really unlike Ed Brubaker. The latter was much more fleshed out, much better. And from a narrative standpoint, necessary.
May 28, 2023
After Messiah CompleX, the X-Men are no more and everyone has gone their separate ways. Scott and Emma are living a life together in the Savage Land. Logan, Piotr, and Kurt journey to Russia to find closure for Piotr. Afterwards, Scott and Emma travel to San Francisco because they haven’t heard from the rest of the team. It turns out that all of SF has been seemingly transported to the 1960s era judging by the style of clothing. Angel and Hepzibah have been transformed into hippie-like characters in the city and that’s why they hadn’t been heeding calls. Scott and Emma have to find their way into the city and find the mastermind behind this new reality..
July 23, 2024
Ed Brubaker’s winning streak on this title continues, aided and abetted by Michael Choi’s gorgeous artwork (495-498). This has a very old-school vibe, with the team being split into two and the separate stories intertwined. I really dislike the notion of Emma Frost still being on the team. They have had plenty of opportunities to have her be evil again*, but to no avail.
(* To the civilians, Emma Frost was the White Queen of the Hellfire Club back in the late ‘70s, and was evil until Grant Morrison’s run. He also brought in such craptastic ideas as secondary mutations.) Aside from that pet peeve of mine, Brubaker’s run has been solid gold.
(* To the civilians, Emma Frost was the White Queen of the Hellfire Club back in the late ‘70s, and was evil until Grant Morrison’s run. He also brought in such craptastic ideas as secondary mutations.) Aside from that pet peeve of mine, Brubaker’s run has been solid gold.
June 27, 2018
A very ho-hum, placeholder arc from Brubaker. I'm not quite certain why the 60s sojourn in San Fran requires 5 issues to tell, not what the overall story in Russia revealed or showed us. Frankly, this story felt less like a meaningful follow-up to recent events and far more like a one or two issue story padded out long past where it needed to go. Perhaps worse still, this was Brubaker's farewell to the title. Quite the inauspicious adieu. Here's hoping the new creative team has something exciting to offer.
June 13, 2021
It’s not a bad little story, but this could’ve been 2 or 3 issues and not 5. It does not clearly feel like a transition into Manifest Destiny (especially not in the way some of the other stories in the Divided We Fall line do), and instead feels like a weird little story that would’ve been fine if it hadn’t been the flagship story. Again, it’s just spinning its wheels before the big story coming next.
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