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Welcome back, X-nuts! Delve into the world of mutants with us as X-ophiles Andy and Jeff go through their stack of Uncanny X-Piles! Beware, though! Spoilers ahoy!

Deadpool #28
Writer: Daniel Way
Artist: Carlo Barberi

This issue was a whole lot of weird fun! Would you expect anything less from a Deadpool title? Daniel Way is delivering an entertaining script that actually has a decent plot, and Barberi’s art looks really good, almost like Paco Medina’s stuff. Here we learn that the Steve Rogers we thought recruited Deadpool to the Secret Avengers wasn’t actually Steve Rogers, but a clone made by the villainous Doctor Bong. Doctor Bong who has a bell for a head, not the other kind unfortunately, planned to use Deadpool in order to add a bunch of bombs to his arsenal. Oh, and the Moon Knight and Black Widow accompanying this version of Rogers are clones too. Anyway, Deadpool does some goofy Deadpool stuff which pisses off the clone team and they kick his ass. Then the real Steve Rogers and Co. arrive on the scene, but Deadpool doesn’t realize the game he’s found himself in, so he goes ahead and attacks the real Steve Rogers in frustration. He doesn’t hold back so he gets some good licks in, but then Rogers turns it on and pounds the cake outta ol’Pool. Dr. Bong, realizing that his ploy to use Deadpool is at an end, shows us all why his name sake is so relevant, using the sound vibration of his belled head to collapse the facility everyone is inside of! Are they dead…or just mortally wounded? Hah! Find out next issue. -AL

New Mutants #18
Writer: Zeb Wells
Artist: Leonard Kirk

Do you want the good news or bad news first? Good news? Ok. The good news is that this is the best New Mutants has been since the book first came out almost 30 years ago. Now for the bad, writer Zeb Wells has announced his abrupt departure on the book after issue #21. I’m not holding my breath that anyone is going to take these characters into a better place than Wells has done in these past couple of years.  This issue once again highlights Wells’ strengths with writing awesome action, some great character moments, and attention to a long-abandoned plot line from way back. This issue is all about the New Mutants reacquainting themselves with the babies they rescued in the Inferno event in the late ’80s. The Inferno Babies are all grown up and have been told the Muties are their ultimate enemy. Last issue they quickly took out the team’s powerhouse in Illyana, so they are hopelessly outnumbered and out-powered. The Inferno Babies are nothing to sneeze at…with some rather sick and twisted takes on their powers, including a guy who’s scabs turn into armor, and a faceless energy channeler who can only be communicated to by Morse code, Wells and Kirk have created some truly horrifying mutant villains for our heroes to face. We learn what happened to the babies after Inferno, and the rest of the issue is one awesome fight sequence. I have really grown to appreciate Kirk’s art on this book. He’s a good fit for these characters. I’m biting my nails to see what happens next, and that is the mark of a great comic book. -JJ

X-23 #2
Writer: Marjorie Liu
Artist: Will Conrad

Let me start out by saying Will Conrad’s art is awesome. I love it. It’s clean and detailed, with time put into location and surroundings; plus, the colors by John Rauch really help set the mood and feel of the book. Ok, now onto the story. I think Marjorie Liu does a good job here painting Laura’s current situation; she’s confused, isolated, and isn’t sure what the hell is going on with herself. Of course, neither are we. An opening scene with her and Wolvie bonding shows how much Logan really did care for her, regarding her as a person and not just a clone of himself. It’s cool to see Wolvie bond with the young female characters he takes under his wing, like Shadowcat and Jubilee back in the day. However, when a possessed body of Wolverine shows up (his soul is in Hell, remember?), the stuff hits the fan and we finally get our McGuffin for this opening story arc: X-23 must venture into Hell to prove she has a soul while subsequently saving Hellion’s life. She won’t be going at it alone though as we find out that Gambit will be accompanying her on her quest! This series is shaping up to be a great one, and if you were on the fence about it, I can say with certainty that after these 2 issues you should jump on board. Oh, and make sure to see that badass variant cover! -AL

X-Factor #210
Writer: Peter David
Artist: Valentine De Landro

David decides to take a cue from fellow X-scribe Zeb Wells and does a cut-away issue to see what’s going on in another realm of the X-Factor drama. He could have just as easily left this story to after the Las Vegas arc, but I have a feeling David will tie it all together. In this issue, we are introduced to a new character in an interesting way. At least I don’t remember anyone called Ballistique. She and M have an exchange that looks like it’s going to cause some trouble down the line. But the real gem in this issue is the Rictor and Rahne storyline. They go to a doctor about Rahne’s baby, and there is some great character moments between these two, and the struggle Rahne has with Rictor’s sexuality. Pregnancy creates some great drama, and I’m glad to see David developing these characters in these directions, whereas other X-books seem satisfied with grasping to the status quo white-knuckled. Valentine De Landro is back on art, thank goodness, and he proves again why he’s the perfect fit for a book like this. If you’re not reading X-Factor, you’re really missing out. It’s consistently good with balances of drama, comedy, and action. -JJ

Most X-Cellent Pick of the Week:
Jeff: Very close for me this week, but I’m going to give it to New Mutants #18 because it’s just that damn good.
Andy: This one’s easy for me: X-23 #2!

For previous editions of the Uncanny X-Piles, click here. For all things X-Men, visit this link!

Andy Liegl
andy@comicattack.net

Jeff Jackson
jeff@comicattack.net