Maybe Gabe Hernandez is a senile old man, but this issue was easily a banger. It's amazing, spectacular, and the ultimate showcase of what a good comic book is. I like how Hickman kind of disses on how Aunt Gayle is jealous that Mary Jane and Peter Parker are all happy and have kids, similar to how Marvel doesn't like Peter Parker and Mary Jane together.

Marco Chechetto art works, I like Hickman's pacing and dialogue (even though it might turn casual fans away). Overall this was a solid concluding chapter of the year. I'm a Superman and Batman fan now, but I can easily say Ultimate Spider-Man by Jonathan Hickman was the best series of the year hands down.

I can't wait to see how Hickman is cooking up next year. Hickman may not be my writer, but I can't deny his talents. more

I rate things based on how it made me feel. Trying to rate something objectively is a ridiculous pursuit in my opinion. It's all subjective.

And this issue is bloody fantastic! From character work, the art, the ending, it's a fun ride and a comic I will read again and again. It's a 10 because this is why I read comics. Great stories like this.

So that final page in the first issue stuck. They killed off a team member in the first issue. Wow, so we know that the stakes are high in this series and we might not want to get too attached to characters. Good to know.

This one was a real slog of a fight and really is starting off the series with the Joe's at their lowest point. Everyone is dead, injured, missing or... well injured even worse. Given where the Energon universe is, this is really quite intense, but the Energon universe really is a bunch of rather intense books. If you like action well here it is! Enjoy!

As for some notes from the story itself, Baroness being the reasonable one isnt what I expected in issue 2. Duke is really hot-headed in this version of the Joe's. I suppose that will be part of his character arc to learn to be a better more level headed leader. Will be interesting to see.

Also Clutch move by Clutch! I love to see that final page, stuff is getting fun! Also Cobra Commander and Destros interactions are pretty good, a very stressed relationship they have their. Honestly in this book, everyone's relationships are so stressed, I feel like in 12-20 issues where everyone stands will be quite different. I plan to enjoy the ride! more

Have yourself a 5.8/10 little Christmas Gabe Hernandez.

Gabe Hernandez reviews are so weird

I'm a shill.

10.

For you Gabe!

Straightforward but very well done. Not much in the way of revelations but very well written

Very interesting first issue that will definitely pull you in and have you asking questions almost immediately. It’s really nice to see a young bats and who hasn’t missed Alfred?! It seems that Watters and Sherman have combined to bring a classic Gotham back and in a gorgeous way. I’m a little hesitant on the bad guy but it’s only issue 1 so we’ll have to wait and see more from him but the writing, art, colors, and letters are all DCs finest (all pun intended). Any classic Batman fan will certainly find a lot to love with this series. more

The story doesn’t progress as much as I hoped it would, as the issue retells some of the scenes from part 1 of this crossover, but also provides some insight into the dynamic between the two X-Men teams, their leaders in particular. The conversation between Rogue and Cyclops felt natural and was the highlight of this issue.
The rest of the book was mildly entertaining. Marquez‘s art looked a bit rushed this time, but stil better than most modern comic art. I just wish he had drawn the whole book. Salazar‘s art is not bad, but reading an issue drawn by several people is always kind of frustrating. more

a much needed improvement from last issue

The ‘Raid on Graymalkin’ crossover event between Jed MacKay’s X-Men & Gail Simone’s Uncanny X-Men kicked off in exciting fashion! I know a lot of fans were concerned for a crossover event so soon into From the Ashes, but I thought the way MacKay set this event up in this first issue gave this X-Men vs X-Men story an interesting new angle as two groups of mutants try to save their teammates from the depravity of captivity. It wasn’t anything groundbreaking, but he used all of the tension that has been building since Krakoa’s final days to introduce a clear explanation for what’s happening.

However, one head-scratcher for me was how Cyclops was all of a sudden fully trusting in Psylocke’s ability to be in field again after he sidelined her in the previous issue. I noted there that his objection to her participating in the previous mission was strange and it was made even stranger here when as it seemed to be completely forgotten. Does he think she’s better now? Did he forget? Was this just a contrived plot point so Psylocke’s solo series could be set up? My vote is the latter.

With that small nitpick aside, every other aspect of MacKay’s script hit for me. I loved the interactions between Beast, Jubilee, & Calico in the Graymalkin prison. It showed that underneath it all, these are individuals with deep histories who have far more in common than they have differences. Beast standing up for Calico, a mutant he’s never met, was a great step towards building the character back up into a good guy now that we have the “new” old Beast on the team. Cyclops also gets some great commentary that reminds us why he’s in charge. MacKay has really shown he has a great handle on the voice for all the characters he’s writing in this book even if every character doesn’t get a ton of story each issue.

The big moment for this issue is the literal Raid on Graymalkin, the X-Men’s former home. Their was well executed narratively & visually. The plotting was fast-paced & intense with kinetic art that excellently depicted motion and sound effects. Ryan Stegman’s style has really grown on me since the first issue. His disjointed linework complements the tone of the MacKay’s story perfectly. JP Mayer & Livesay’s inks give Stegman’s designs extra weight, which make character movements standout & their emotions palpable. Marte Gracia’s colors underscore the bleakness of Graymalkin’s current state under Corina Ellis. He uses small moments of vibrancy to draw the reader in during key moments. This creative team isn’t holding back for this story and the scene with Beast being beaten to a pulp by Graymalkin guards was the clearest example.

Overall, this was a really exciting start to the event and I’m eager to see what the Uncanny creative team has in store to up the ante in the next chapter. So far, MacKay’s doing his usual top tier writing and the art team is matching him stride for stride. more

Incredible. Absolutely incredible. I'd give it a 20 out of 10 if I could. The art was sublime, the writing was impeccable. McKay has a great grasp of the characters' voices and tones. I love the story, this is a very interesting stage in X-Men history. If I had to come up with one gripe it would be Beast's eye shadow or whatever is going on around his eyes, I don't like it. But that is inconsequential in the discussion of how great this book is and has been. Can't wait for UXM7. more