The mutants of Krakoa find themselves in dire straits, prompting Madelyne Pryor and Havok to form a new team. Discover the unfolding events in Marvel Comics’ Dark X-Men #1!

DARK X-MEN #1 (OF 5)

Writer: Steve Foxe 
Artists: Jonas Scharf and Nelson Daniel 
Colorist: Frank Martin 
Letterer: Clayton Cowles 
Editor: Jordan White 
Publisher: Marvel Comics 
Cover Price: $4.99
Release Date: August 16th, 2023 

Previously in X-Men: During the Hellfire Gala, Orchis launched a brutal attack on mutantkind, resulting in the death of Jean Grey and framing mutants for the tragedy. Professor Xavier forced the remaining mutants to safety through Krakoan gates, but those left on Earth are now scattered, hunted, and on the run.

Dark X-Men #1 opens with Madelyne and Alex awakening at the Limbo Embassy in New York, a haven that maintains sovereignty amidst the mutant witch hunt. Mutants who don’t fit in on Krakoa and denizens from Limbo sought refuge here. Considering recent events, this location stands as one of the safest places in the world. Madelyne possesses a demon Cerebro known as the Mercy Crown, and troubled by Jean Grey’s death, she dedicates herself to locating the lost mutants.

In the meantime, Orchis captures a young mutant named Gimmick. The prisoner transport is intercepted by Gambit and Archangel, but Orchis uses Albert, the android Wolverine, injures Archangel. Havoc, Madelyne, and other mutants come to their rescue, although Havok is also severely wounded. Havok urges Madelyne to avoid resorting to murder. Elsewhere, Orchis introduces a new player to the scene: the Goblin Queen.

The latter part of the comic delves into Havok’s journey to the embassy and his efforts to bring order to the chaos.

Dark X-Men #1 faces the challenge that often plagues ensemble casts—there’s a lot to introduce within a limited space. Many of these characters lack widespread recognition, and the intricate history that would provide context for their relationships is missing. Questions arise about how the public perceives characters like Zero, Emplate, Maggott, and Azazel and why they collaborate. While Madelyne and Havok’s dynamics are explored, as well as the familiarity between Gambit and Archangel, the remaining characters feel somewhat peripheral. While the Hellfire Gala is a strong catalyst for their collaboration, a moment where they collectively agree to join forces based on their motivations would have been beneficial. Despite this, the concept of these characters uniting is promising, with the potential for their relationships to evolve over time.

Visually, the primary comic boasts impressive character designs and the color palette adds depth. Madelyne’s red hair and the distinctive purple powers of Gimmick and Gambit stand out on the pages. The characters undeniably exude a cool vibe. Occasional facial depictions may appear exaggerated but don’t diminish the narrative impact.

I enjoyed Dark X-Men #1, particularly the blend of familiar figures like Gambit and Archangel with lesser-known characters. Notably, Gimmick, previously seen in Marvel’s Voices: Pride takes a central role here. Considering these factors, I rate this book 3.5 out of 5 and believe it complements the Fall of X event well. I eagerly anticipate the forthcoming issue.

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Dark X-Men #1

7.0 Interesting Premise

Dark X-Men #1 has a ton of promise but introduces too many characters for the page count it has been given.

• Writing 7
• Art 6
• Coloring 8
• User Ratings (1 Votes) 4.1