It is time to check out X-Men #2! I’ve been genuinely surprised by how well the new X-Men creative teams have followed up the Krakoa Era with the “From The Ashes” direction. We have only started with this new direction from the franchise but comics like Jed MacKay and Ryan Stegman’s X-Men #1 set a strong foundation for where the Cyclops-led team is at. Cyclops appears to be continuing what he and Jean Grey did in reestablishing the X-Men as a superhero team and keeping elements from the Krakoa Era. How successful will that be? Let’s find out with X-Men #2.
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Jed MacKay
Artist: Ryan Stegman
Inker: JP Mayer
Colorist: Marte Gracia
Letterer: Clayton Cowles
X-MEN #2 SOLICITATION
“INVASION! The X-Men fly to the rescue of a mutant in crisis in San Francisco. The problem? Alien invaders seem to have a similar idea. Six X-Men vs. an invading alien fleet? Sounds about right. PLUS: THE CONCLUSION OF DEADPOOL/WOLVERINE: WEAPON X-TRACTION!” – Marvel Comics
REVIEW
With the “From The Ashes” direction going at full force its even more apparent that Jed MacKay and Ryan Stegman’s X-Men series will be more of the traditional superhero team series for the franchise. If you didn’t think that was the case than X-Men #2 will be what drives that home for every reader. That doesn’t mean this series will be avoiding dealing with the greater mutant issues we are seeing in other titles, because it most certainly is and will. But at the end of the day this is a superhero team series.
Being clear about this X-Men team are leaning into he superhero aspect of the franchise is something that as quickly separated this from other X-titles. This is what Cyclops vision of what he wanted the X-Men to represent during the last few years of the Krakoa Era. There is weight to this decision as Cyclops is trying to position the X-Men as a superhero team that are shown defenders of the planet like the Avengers and Fantastic Four. Even the way that Cyclops quickly splits the team to optimize the skills against the alien threat.
The alien threat while generic did work to further spotlight the overall team chemistry of this version of the X-Men. The way Cyclops split the team gave an opportunity for everyone to show out in one way or another. The generic element of the threat they faced played in showing the strength of each member. And more importantly how the team’s powers compliment each other.
But more than the powers it was the banter chemistry that really stood out. MacKay split up the members to showcase the team chemistry. With Cyclops, Magik, and Psylocke we saw how the veteran X-Men handle themselves in an efficient manner. Meanwhile, on the Kid Omega, Temper, and Juggernaut side we got more of a fresh team chemistry. That is something we see with their banter having more of lighthearted banter compared to Cyclops, Magik, and Psylocke that was more by the books.
The twist with how the X-Men got the newly revealed mutant out of San Francisco is one that we’ll have to wait and see what it means for the series. The new mutant certainly has powers that are out of control. Though faking his death places a lot of questions what exactly the X-Men based in Alaska are looking to do to help mutants.
The other question is what is going on with Magneto. Stegman clear obscures Magneto’s face so we don’t see it through the mask. Even the presentation of Magneto in the first issue felt like the character was off. What the plans for Magneto as an influential figure, though not leader, is something that is hopefully answered soon. He certainly sounds like a different character from who Magneto has been the last few years.
FINAL THOUGHTS
X-Men #2 was a solid follow-up to the debut. This second issue further put over this series tapping into the more traditional superhero team vibe it is going for. Compared to what the other X-Men titles are doing this honestly helping it standout. Though hopefully we see the team fight more credible threats than the random aliens than they did here.
Story Rating: 6 Night Girls out of 10
Art Rating: 8 Night Girls out of 10
Overall Rating: 7 Night Girls out of 10
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