Uncanny X-Men #509

Pyslocke being on the cover is what enticed me to give this book a read. The last Uncanny X-Men I've read was #500 and the Messiah Complex issues, so I didn't know everything going into this one. Well Greg Land's cover got me good because Pyslocke isn't really in action. I wasn't too disappoint though, because Matt Fraction sets up a decent plot.

Right now, the X-Men are in San Francisco acting as a small police force protecting the innocent. The side plots of this issue are what's really interesting. Beast is working on a cure for mutants' inability to procreate. In his research, he comes to conclusion that he must analyze the genetic structure of one of the world's earliest mutants, one of which just happens to be of lab assistant of his. This plot thread could lead to some gratifying possibilities.

Cyclops and Emma Frost seem to be having marital trouble. Apparently, he hasn't been allowed to sleep in his bed for days. I hope Emma is actually using her psychic powers to convince Cyclops to stay away, but most likely Cyclops is just being the regular ol' good guy and giving her some space.

In another plot thread, one of the X-Men's newest additions is coming into her own. Pixie hones her fighting skills in the danger room and her social skills at the bar with her rowdy teammates. In a particularly funny scene, a drunk Pixie can't help but giggle and comment on how shirtless Cyclops is. Fraction captures the levity and characterization of the scene perfectly. As a matter of fact, he writes every X-Man nicely. Cyclops is frustrated, Beast is pleasantly nerdy, Nightcrawler is annoyed, and the team is scared.

The only character not handled right is the other new addition to the team, Northstar. Fraction beats us over the head with his homosexuality. The only thing a reporter is interested in seems to be Northstar's orientation, bringing it up three times in an interview. We get it. He does dudes. Thankfully, Fraction handles his actual demeanor with humor and cockiness (pardon the pun).

Another thing that didn't really work too well was the main plot. Madelyne Pryor makes a return and assembles a team accomplish...something. I think she sedated and kidnapped Psylocke in the hopes of switching bodies. But if she did that, then why does she need Wolverine? Her mission is a little unclear, but her methods aren't. Pryor and her team manage to bring the X-Men the only physical threat they've come across since being in San Francisco. The X-Men get taken down beautifully within their own headquarters with ease, which brings me to my next point.

Land's pencils are superb. Every character looks accurate, emotional, proportionate, and stunning. The action, for the most part, was a treat to look at. The scene where Madelyne Pryor's crew attacks the X-Men is amazing, the one where they suppress Emma Frost in particular.

I came into this issue expecting something that didn't end up materializing. What I got, instead, was a well-told story about the struggles the X-Men are facing and some nice bits of action. I'm hooked. Now I might have to start buying this series monthly.