My Rating
“The Mark Of The Monster!”
In celebration of defeating the Factor Three, the Uncanny X-Men decide to spend their next free day training in the infamous Danger Room. First up to bat is Hank McCoy! Scott programs a strength and acrobatic scenario into the computer then shouts “Go!”. The beast lifts a heavy piece of machinery up over his head, then begins to tightrope walk up a steel cable. All the time he must dodge random energy attacks from the ceiling above.
To spice things up a bit, or shall we say “cool things off”, the young mutant known as Iceman grabs ahold of the cable and uses his powers to encase the metal in a fine coat of ice. Within seconds Hank loses his footing, drops the machinery to the deck below. The beast slips and hits his head causing a streak of blind rage. It’s on like Spaceknight Rom!
Before Hank and Bobby can completely tear into each other a telepathic call comes from Professor X. They are needed in his study immediately. Normally the professor wouldn’t interrupt their training without some dire news. In mere minutes they would be given news they would never have expected.
Has Dr. Powell, a researcher for the City Museum of New York city, recovered the actual body of the legendary Frankenstein’s monster? Will the combined forces of the X-Men stop whatever threat awaits them aboard the freighter ship docked in the New York Harbor? Was Mary Shelley the first documented case of close encounters of the third kind?
The Origins Of The Uncanny X-Men!
“The First Evil Mutant!”
On the run from society and his personal demons, Scott Summers has escape to a heavily forested area in upper New York. The memories of the adults ridiculing his mutant eyes keeps filling his thoughts. It’s too much even for one of Professor Xavier’s most gifted students.
Late into the evening Scott stumbles across a small dimly-lit shack about an hour into the woods. Scott carefully enters the abode and finds an older man waiting for him. Scott Summers seems taken back by the man’s sinister appearance. “I knew you would arrive soon”, said the man in a deadpan tone.
“You can call me Jack Winters.” A smile broke across Jack’s face. “I’m a mutant, just like you…”
Just how powerful is the mysterious Jack Winters? Can Professor Xavier find Scott Summers’ location using the less powerful
Cyberno? Can diamond’s cut steel like butter? Collect the series to find out!
Reviewer Notes
Wow, I guess Professor X doesn’t know everything after all. I came for the Frankenstein monster but left with something else completely. Thanks to a recent call-out in the 2023 book “X-men: Unforgiven”, I decided to read Uncanny X-Men 40 to understand the full reference given by Tim Seeley. This was a fun read, but I was a little disappointed. I have read some of the Frankenstein solo series and this clearly a different character wearing the iconic lift boots.
I don’t want to spoil Uncanny X-Men 40 for other readers, so I will just say it’s not your grandpa’s Frankenstein. We get to see an early version of Dr. Powell, but in my opinion there isn’t much there to get excited about.
We get a secondary mini story with Cyclops facing off with an early evil mutant. I’m not an X-Men aficionado, so I don’t know if the man called Jack Winters has any further storylines. I’m giving this issue 3 out of 5 stars.
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