YMMV / Uncanny X-Men (Chuck Austen)

• Audience-Alienating Era: The run didn't get a great critical or commercial reception, and this hasn't improved over time. Austen's plots are generally the focus of the criticism, with the art seen as insufficient to save them. Elements such as mutant angels, mutant werewolves and the plot to appoint Nightcrawler as Pope are seen as specific low points, as are the ways many female characters are written. One element that has its fans, and has left a lasting impact on the franchise, is the Juggernaut's redemption arc.
• Creator's Pet: Nurse and single mother Annie Ghazikhanian was a new character introduced by Chuck Austen, widely viewed as his pet character. It didn't help that Word of God stated she was based on Austen's wife, or that she became a central character in many storylines despite limited relevance to their plots. Annie is mostly remembered for her relationship with Havok, which started as a crush when he was in a coma and she was caring for him. Once revived, Havok showed an immediate attraction to Annie and it was eventually revealed that Annie's mutant son had been setting them up on 'psychic dates' for months before he awoke. Meanwhile, Havok's longtime partner Polaris was portrayed as insane, homicidal and bitchy, emphasising that Annie was a far better choice for him. Austen wrote Annie and her son out of the X-Men books when he ended his run and the previous Polaris/Havok relationship was eventually restored.