The Uncanny X-Men #163
Published and © by Marvel, November 1982
Title: “Rescue Mission”
Synopsis: Wolverine frees Carol Danvers and the other X-Men from Brood captivity … but is it already too late?
Writer: Chris Claremont
Penciler: Dave Cockrum
Inker: Bob Wiacek
Review: After months of slow build up, the initial Brood saga has fully found fifth gear. Writer Chris Claremont serves up his usual blend of soap office and superhero action, albeit flavored here with sci-fi tropes. Penciler Dave Cockrum excels with this material, with a particular penchant for alien world-building. Not everything works: Claremont’s script occasionally slips into melodrama, while Cockrum’s art lacks the dynamic realism that grounded predecessor John Byrne’s X-Men epics. Still, the story’s high stakes and brisk pace make this a mostly enjoyable read.
Grade: B+
Cool factor: The Wolverine-as-narrator technique, used in the previous issue (see review), is still working.
Collector’s note: According to the Grand Comics Database, there is a 75¢ Canadian variant of this issue. … According to MyComicShop.com, there is also a Mark Jewelers variant.
Character quotable: “There is no place here for chivalry or honor. Only death, life, defeat, victory.” – Majestrix Lilandra, at war with the Brood
Editor’s note: This review was written Nov. 26, 2023.
