The X-Men find themselves in Latveria, but Doctor Doom has different plans. Discover what Shadowkat and Wolverine manage in X-Men #29 by Marvel Comics!
X-MEN #29
Writer: Gerry Duggan
Artist: Joshua Cassara
Colorist: Marte Garcia
Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Editor: Jordan White
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: December 6th, 2023
Previously in X-Men: After the Hellfire Gala, the X-Men are hiding, seeking allies wherever they can. Upon learning that Doctor Doom has mutants in Latveria, they dispatch a team to liberate them. Shadowkat, Wolverine, and Ms. Marvel infiltrate Latveria, but instead of finding prisoners, they encounter mutants willingly serving Doom.
X-Men #29 begins with a flashback to when Xavier sent his message to the world to come to Krakoa. However, the message was intercepted by Doom, who warned Charles that his new nation was destined to fail. In the present, we learn about Doom’s mutant team as they clash with Wolverine and Shadowkat. Slag, Voltra Doom, and Nerium prove formidable adversaries. Through their brief backstories, we understand why they are devoted to Doom. After expressing their allegiance to Doom, the fighting ceases, and Doctor Doom invites them to dinner. During the meal, he clarifies that he will not aid Krakoa or Xavier, but the mutants admit they will assist them in the coming days.
Shadowkat determines they have a new ally, but upon returning to their base, they find it destroyed with blood everywhere.
I struggled with X-Men #29. The introduction of Doom’s mutant team was fascinating and well-executed, with excellent writing and character designs. It was visually stunning. However, the overall plot feels stagnant, leading to a great conflict that takes too long to unfold. I want to see the X-Men confront Orchis, overshadowing the stellar writing and art. As the Fall of X event continues, we are promised that the event will progress. Hopefully, upcoming issues will resolve the plotlines being created.
That said, I want to comment on the new team and the issue of deception with Doctor Doom. It is evident that Doctor Doom is portrayed as a fascist who manipulated these mutants into working with him. This false sense of devotion aligns with the theme of Orchis deceiving the general population about the mutant massacre. This theme is likely to play a compelling role in upcoming issues.
The pacing of the Fall of X event is slow, and X-Men #29 exacerbates this. Despite excellent writing and a solid art style, I yearn for the event to progress. However, as the New Year approaches, we may see significant updates. With that in mind, X-Men #29 remains a well-designed comic, earning 4.5 out of 5 stars.
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X-Men #29
X-Men #29 excels as an individual issue but feels sluggish in the larger event's context.
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Christopher Rondeau is a storyteller based in Tulsa, OK. Finding himself with little work, he ended up creating a job as a Game Master full time on the internet. Chris spends most of his days reading everything he can, writing bad fiction, and watching old Digimon cartoons with his daughter. Sometimes you can find him Dungeon Mastering a podcast or streaming on twitch. Recently, he has completed his Master's degree with a focus on collaborative storytelling. Find out more at https://rondeaucreator.com