The Uncanny X-Men #171
Published and © by Marvel, July 1983
Title: “Rogue”
Synopsis: Rogue comes to the X-mansion looking for help but finds angry X-Men – and an angrier Carol Danvers – instead!
Writer: Chris Claremont
Penciler: Walter Simonson
Finisher: Bob Wiacek
Review: Revisiting Uncanny X-Men #171 today it’s easy to see why Little Me always felt this issue was … a little off. To begin with, regular artist Paul Smith is missed. While guest penciler Walter Simonson does a fine job – and Bob Wiacek brings an admirable level of consistency to this fill-in – Smith had already managed to establish his style as the series’ signature look over the preceding six issues. On the story side, the introduction and immediate integration of Rogue into the book seems rushed, while the conclusion of Carol Danvers’ X-Men arc feels rushed. Still, this is an above-average comic.
Grade: B+
Second opinion: “There are almost too many subplots in this issue.” – John Jackson Miller, The Comics Buyer’s Guide to the X-Men (Comics Buyer’s Guide Presents), 2003 … No. 49 on Marvel’s “Greatest Marvels of All Time” list.
Cool factor: Hello, Rogue.
Not-so-cool factor: Goodbye, Binary.
Notable: Rogue joins the X-Men. … Illyana draws her Soulsword for the first time.
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: “Ororo or Storm, which is it to be.” – Storm, at a crossroad
Editor’s note: This review was written April 26, 2024.
