Kate Pryde is done with the X-Men. Unfortunately, the X-Men may not be done with Kate Pryde. Your Major Spoilers review of Exceptional X-Men #2 from Marvel Comics awaits!

EXCEPTIONAL X-MEN #2

Writer: Eve L. Ewing
Artist: Carmen Carnero
Colorist: Carmen Carnero
Letterer: VC’s Travis Lanham
Editor: Tom Brevoort
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3,99
Release Date: October 9, 2024

Previously in Exceptional X-Men: Kate Pryde’s continued attempts at living a normal, non-mutant life go laughably wrong as she finds herself in the middle of a brawl started by a couple of headstrong teens with remarkable abilities – which, of course, they’re terrible at controlling. She’s sworn off being anybody’s teacher, mentor, professor, sensei, or anything that reminds her of her old life. But will the White Queen force her hand?

A WORLD THAT FEARS AND HATES THEM

The new climate of human/mutant interactions is… heated, to say the least. After saving a young woman from a pack of mutant haters last issue, Kate Pryde has once again tried to be a normal woman. She even goes on a date with her new friend Nina, only to get tied up in another conflict, this time with TWO mutants being harassed by a pack of human jerks. She is able to phase them to safety, only to find that one of them can ALSO pass through solid matter… and she’s gotten stuck. After helping her to get free, the former Shadowcat introduces her new friends Thao and Alex to Trista, whom she saved last issue. It’s tactically smart, as the three of them immediately bond and begin to form their own little group to agitate for change and a better world. Of course, she doesn’t foresee ALL THREE of them showing up on her doorstep looking for a mutant mentor.

And she certainly doesn’t see her frenemy Emma Frost waltzing in, mind-controlling them and declaring that she will take care of everything.

I WANT TO SEE MORE

As a long-time comic reader, I have some pointed opinions about pacing in comics, but the end of this issue feels like the point where I would have liked to see the debut issue leave off. The introductions of Axo, Bronze, and Melee were strong work, revealing as much about the character of these young mutants as their powers, but things have been moving quite slowly, both this issue and last. The layered art of Carnero helps to get past that pacing, aided by wild, pastel coloring that (mostly) works wonders in bringing everything to life. Pryde’s dilemma is an example of the kind of plot point that we know won’t last, but I do appreciate the commitment to it, as well as the last page, which makes it clear that keeping these kids away from the manipulative ways of the White Queen are enough to break her promise to herself. Maybe it’s the fact that both issues one and two feature these future Exceptionals in their cool new costumes, or maybe it’s the premise of young mutants stuck between Emma and Kitty’s teaching ideals, but I want more of this series sooner rather than later.

BOTTOM LINE: THINGS ARE COMING TO A HEAD

All in all, Exceptional X-Men #2 is a better-then-average comic debuting two new X-folk in an interesting way, and even though I would have preferred things to move a bit more urgently, it’s a good read with well-done art, earning 3 out of 5 stars overall. The beginnings of this new X-era are offering something that feels like a fresh take, but still calls back to the classic Bronze Age X-Men, which is an achievement in itself.

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