Uncanny X-Men #19 Preview: Deadpool & Mutant Militants Clash in New Orleans
In New Orleans, the X-Men: Rogue, Gambit, Wolverine, Nightcrawler, and Jubilee, have discovered an unexpected sanctuary. Mentoring a group of young mutants known as the Outliers, they've become local heroes, protecting the city and earning its gratitude. This culminated in Mayor Mikki Sappora declaring New Orleans an official sanctuary city for mutants, celebrating this new era of coexistence with a Friendship Festival. However, the harsh reality for many mutants outside this bubble remains one of fear and hiding, setting the stage for conflict even within this refuge.
One such mutant living in fear is Uva, a small-town waitress. Jubilee, remembering a past attempt to help Uva, likely understands the constant anxiety Uva faces, especially concerning her visible mutation, which she dismisses as merely a "skin condition." This highlights the personal struggles persisting despite the city's official sanctuary status, showing that acceptance is an ongoing battle.
In the meanwhile, a very different relationship develops between a young lady called Haven Hidya and the mercenary Deadpool (Wade Wilson). Their relationship is unconventional and intense. Haven possesses a chilling connection to death, stating that cats, being closer to "the veil between," can perceive it – an ability she seems to share. She casually refers to Deadpool as her "little brother," a term he initially questions but she reaffirms with unsettling calm, calling him her "dead little brother." This morbid sibling-like bond adds a deeply strange and personal layer to Deadpool's presence in the issue.
The fragile peace of New Orleans is shattered by the sudden arrival of anti-mutant militants. Their aggression is immediate and brutal. Jubilee, caught in the initial assault, cries out for help as she's overwhelmed. The militants' hatred is palpable, their actions violent and indiscriminate. Deadpool, ever unpredictable, finds himself embroiled in the chaos. His reaction to the militants is characteristically mixed; he expresses a general dislike for "new militants," except for one quirky individual who resembled a "scribble," showcasing his warped sense of humor even in combat.
The battle descends into frenzied action. The militants prove to be formidable, landing painful blows that leave Deadpool vocalizing his discomfort with exclamations like "OW!" and complaining about his "podgy pouches." His usual tactics – like bizarrely asking for a soda can full of pennies mid-fight – clash with the seriousness of the threat. He acknowledges the severity of the militants, calling them adamant outlaws, and justifies fighting them, even the younger ones, with a disturbingly casual remark about "medium kid punching." His chaotic energy permeates the scene.
Amidst the brawl, other voices join the fray. Domino jumps into the fight, cracking her knuckles with a smirk. For her, throwing punches isn’t just combat, it’s how she communicates. With her luck-manipulating powers tipping the odds in her favor, she’s more than ready to turn the tide against the militants. More significantly, Haven Hidya, witnessing her "little brother" in danger, rushes into the conflict with a determined cry of "I'M COMING BIG BROTHER!" This act underscores the peculiar but genuine protective bond she feels towards Deadpool, thrusting her mysterious death-related abilities directly into the X-Men's battle against the militant threat.
Uncanny X-Men #19 presents a critical juncture for mutantkind's experiment in New Orleans. While the city offers sanctuary and celebration, the previews reveal that old hatreds die hard, manifesting in a violent militant assault. The issue intertwines Jubilee's concern for hidden mutants like Uva with the main action, while introducing the deeply strange and compelling dynamic between Deadpool and Haven Hidya. Their morbid sibling connection and Haven's eerie powers add a unique flavor to the chaotic battle against the new militants, promising a clash that tests the X-Men, their young charges, and the very concept of their hard-won sanctuary. The celebration is over; the fight for survival within the refuge has just begun.