by Matt Sernaker, Editor-in-Chief
Since 1963, the adventures of the marvelous mutants known as the Uncanny X-Men have amazed readers of all ages. Their decades of adventures have taken us far from Charles Xavier’s mansion as our heroes continued to explore the Marvel Universe and find their way in a world that feared and hated them. With each new evolution of the comics came a new sense of hope and wonder, and the recent Krakoan Age managed to provide a completely out-of-the-box take on these characters and give them something new to fight for. As the baton passes once again to new editorial leadership, the time has come for the X-Men to start over with the launch of the new “From the Ashes” era. All this leads us to today’s highly anticipated launch of X-Men #1 from Marvel Comics.
Official Synopsis:
FROM THE ASHES! Krakoa is gone, ORCHIS has fallen…but the X-Men remain, always. Cyclops leads, because that is what he does. Beast builds, because that is what he does. And from their new home in Alaska, the X-Men raise a flag of defiance. Mutant business is their business. Join CYCLOPS, BEAST, MAGNETO, PSYLOCKE, KID OMEGA, TEMPER, MAGIK and JUGGERNAUT as new forces in the world move into position, battling for the destiny and philosophy of the mutant species.
Creative Team:
Writer: Jed Mackay
Artist: Ryan Stegman
Inker: JP Mayer
Colorist: Marte Garcia
Letter: VC’s Clayton Cowles
Before we go into today’s issue, I wanted to share that I have been a massive fan of “The First Krakoan Age”. The concepts seemed fresh and new, and I loved that it was a message of hope and wonder that filled all of the corners of the X-Books. Sure, there were a number of missteps after mastermind Jonathan Hickman departed, but I really loved reading all of the titles over the last few years and seeing how these elements would play out. To be honest, I really didn’t want Krakoa to end. I know that it was divisive for some, but the positivity of the entire run made it a joy to read. That being said, change is hard. Human beings hate change (as evidenced in the X-Men stories themselves), and I have decided to go into this new era with a sense of optimism based on the talented creators that are leading the charge.
X-Men #1 picks up shortly after the events of X-Men #700 and it isn’t a great time to be a mutant… Krakoa is gone and mutants are dispersed around the globe. Xavier’s dream is also dead and gone, but now is the time for something new to take its place. Enter Cyclops and his new team of X-Men who are determined to pave the way for mutants and find an opportunity to build a new dream. It’s always darkest before dawn, but the Phoenix has demonstrated that life can be reborn from the ashes. The team in the adjective-less X-Men book has chosen to set up shop in a more desolate part of Alaska, showing that like other people who have been displaced from their homes, something beautiful can grow in unwanted lands. While Beast (the 80’s fun-loving version who was brought back as a clone in the adventures of X-Force) gives a local Alaskan Police Captain a tour of their new Sentinel Factory turned X-Base, Cyclops and a squad of X-Men (comprised of Magik, Juggernaut, Kid Omega, Psylocke, and Temper) head out to recover a captured Wolverine and other missing mutants. It turns out that a remnant of Orchis called the “Fourth School” is taking a page out of the U-Men’s book and experimenting with mutant abilities. When they arrive on the scene, a few surprises await our heroes that might be a game-changer for the human race…
This flagship X-title is a perfect point to join in on the fun. The creative team has crafted an action-packed adventure for readers new and old, and the best part of it is that if you like X-Men ’97, Cyclops is front-and-center showing his leadership skills. The characterization of all of our favorite heroes is on point, and the new dynamics between Magik and Juggernaut will make you want to cheer. The new role of Magneto isn’t quite clear by the end of the first issue, but only time will tell what the Master of Magnetism will do in this new world. From a design standpoint, there definitely is a 90s throwback vibe imbued in the art, but the dynamic team of Stegman, Mayer, and Garcia make it all pop with vibrant colors and powerful layouts. The high-energy choices in this book felt electric and I hope that they are able to continue at that energy level with subsequent issues. At the end of the day, this new era isn’t kicking off in the same groundbreaking or bombastic way as the last one, but this new chapter definitely has our attention.
Call it X-Citing. Call it X-Cellent. X-Men is a GREAT launch for the “From the Ashes” era and I’m ready for more.
Rating: 
ComicsOnline gives X-Men #1 – 4.5 new mutant eras out of 5.
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