Fraction is clearly interested in bringing the characterisation back to X-Men. Every scene has strong, memorable moments that are driven by the character interplay as much as any specific plot development, and the juggling of several threads is a welcome return to the subplot-infused days of the past. Claremont’s influence on the series is almost palpable – right down to some fairly wordy conversations – although I do mean that as a compliment. Claremont’s X-Men made X-Men the industry’s number one property for years, so it’s good to see what is, in some ways, a return to the strong fundamentals of the X-Men from a writer who recognises what made the series popular in the first place.

This issue also keeps readers reassured that Fraction won’t be shying away from the continuity mire of recent years, and he tackles several matters head on, be it the massacre that kicked off “Messiah Complex” or the “death” of Kitty Pryde. A scene featuring Beast and Angel visiting a rather old Marvel scientist is slightly jarring, functioning as the book’s “gratuitous action scene”, but it does nicely emphasise that following the mutant birth, attempts to undo Wanda’s spell and the events of M-Day are still as much on the agenda for the characters as they are for the readers.

For the new arc, Terry Dodson takes over as artist, and while on one level, the scene in Cyclops’ pervy-hotel brainscape serves as a window into the character’s repression and his relationship with Emma, it does seem to be designed with Terry Dodson’s strengths as an artist in mind. After the sheer eye-gouging pain of seeing Greg Land’s pseudoporn on the pages of Uncanny X-Men, it’s a massive relief to see someone with storytelling ability take over. There’s one slight hiccup where, despite Emma claiming “no redheads” you can clearly see the red-haired Mystique in the background, but it’s a forgiveable oversight.

Fraction’s second arc seems off to a much better start than the previous one, and the artist change has merely heightened the amount I’m enjoying the title. After years of being treated like the a secondary title, Uncanny X-Men seems to be back on top of its game again.