Close Menu
  • Login
  • Support Us
  • Newsletter
  • News
  • Features
  • Interviews
  • Reviews
    • Video Games
      • Previews
      • PC
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X/S
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Xbox One
      • PS4
      • Tabletop
    • Film
    • TV
    • Anime
    • Comics
      • BOOM! Studios
      • Dark Horse Comics
      • DC Comics
      • IDW Publishing
      • Image Comics
      • Indie Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • Oni-Lion Forge
      • Valiant Comics
      • Vault Comics
  • Podcast
  • More
    • Event Coverage
    • BWT Recommends
    • RSS Feeds
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
Support Us
But Why Tho?
RSS Facebook X (Twitter) YouTube
Trending:
  • Features
    Momo and Okarun share a close moment in Dandadan

    Momo And Okarun: The Gold Standard For Shonen Romance

    07/03/2025
    Ironheart Episodes 4 6 But Why Tho 1

    ‘Ironheart’ Explained: Explore MCU’s Bold New Chapter

    07/01/2025
    Buck in 9-1-1

    ‘9-1-1’ Has To Let Buck Say Bisexual

    06/29/2025
    Nintendo Welcome Tour promotional image of the maraca mini-game

    The One “Game” That Justifies The Nintendo Switch 2 Purchase

    06/25/2025
    Destiel Confession in Supernatural - Castiel (Misha Collins) and Dean (Jensen Ackles)

    The Destiel Confession: The Lasting Importance Of Supernatural’s Greatest Ship

    06/22/2025
  • Squid Game
  • K-Dramas
  • Netflix
  • Switch 2 Games
  • Summer Game Fest
But Why Tho?
Home » Marvel Comics » REVIEW: ‘Dark X-Men’ Issue #1

REVIEW: ‘Dark X-Men’ Issue #1

William TuckerBy William Tucker08/16/20235 Mins ReadUpdated:08/16/2023
Dark X-Men #1- But Why Tho
Share
Facebook Twitter Pinterest Reddit WhatsApp Email

Dark X-Men #1 is published by Marvel, written by Steve Foxe, art by Jonas Scharf, colors by Frank Martin, and letters by Clayton Cowles. There is a backup story titled “Do You Love Me?,” written by Foxe, art by Nelson Dániel, art by Frank Martin, and letters by Cowles. A small band of the most violent members of Madelyne Pryor’s X-Men set out to rescue the Mutants that have been left on Earth as Orchis start picking them off.

The plot of this opening issue is spectacular. After the attack on the Hellfire Gala, everything seems darker and more violent. People are calling in Mutant sightings and a private military group is hunting them down and bringing them in for nefarious purposes. This time is reminiscent of some of the older periods in X-Men history. But this time, you have X-Men that will fight back, based in Limbo and in New York.

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here

The comic moves methodically, containing many streams feeding into one river, so it takes time to provide a backstory for all of it. So many callbacks and references make an appearance in Dark X-Men #1, sucking in loose ends within the strands of the X-Men mythos over the Age of Krakoa. Characters from miniseries that happened years ago come back, either being controlled by Orchis or hunted by them. When the action kicks off, the book does not like to hold back. There are layers of brutality, with some shocking moments that detail just what this series is capable of, and the unpredictability of the series is clear. 

The cast of this book is vast and fascinating. Entering Dark X-Men #1 are some of the creepiest and most mysterious mutants, many of them resembling Limbo’s demons. Azazel and Emplate are beings straight out of a horror comic, as is Skin. Then enter more mainstream X-Men, but figures that are often found in the darker corners of the world, such as Archangel and Gambit.

At the helm of the book is the Goblin Queen, who is a fantastic leader of his group. She is vengeful and lacks mercy, striding into any situation with authority and dominance. But she has Havok with her, trying to be her conscience and wind her in when she displays her most fearsome traits. There are some of his lines that can get irritating, partly because they seem repetitive. But I think that constant needling from him is an intentional annoyance from Foxe, as it makes what happens later even more extreme. 

It’s great to see some characters that I had believed to be forgotten about. The huge cast opens up so many possibilities, and what is great is that they didn’t start out all from one source. They are from numerous groups and approaches, adding conflict and unexpected combinations.

The art is magnificent and perfectly suited to the style of the issue. The darkness of the characters is understood quickly by Scharf. They all appear to operate in the shadows or exist in murky situations. All of those included in the team look incredible, and the extra thickness of the lines makes all of them seem ominous, even if we know that they are true heroes.

Many of their powers and mutations lead to them looking scary, especially Skin and Emplate. The action is phenomenal. The various characters from different teams lead to a spectrum of damage. Where some are there to incapacitate, others enter the battle with a view to kill and nothing else. There is a speed and savagery to every blow, with the impact being felt throughout the page. When something gory happens, it is placed front and center, making it almost impossible to look away.

The colors are interesting. It initially leans on two main colors; red and black. This emanates from Madelyne, Pryor, and Limbo, having an influence on the outside world as well. Everything inherently looks unnerving and unfriendly. But as a smorgasbord of mutants and powers join the fight, it causes an influx of shades to be added as well. The most prominent example of this is Gambit, whose vibrant pink is impossible to darken. The lettering is the standard font across all X-Men comics.

There is a second story that depicts what Madelyne Pryor is building at the Limbo Embassy in New York. It’s full of cameos, but each one has deliberated and considered dialogue that shows they are more than just faces to fill the pages. The art is superb right up until the final page, which features a really mishappen and terrifying image of Havok’s face. It’s unlike anything in the issue and is awkward to see.

Dark X-Men #1 is needed when times get as dark as they are. It’s a book that is hardcore at points, reveling in blood being spilled. It’s one of the most epic lineups, with some of the mutant world’s most malicious, repulsive, and awesome representatives. But it’s demonstrative of where the Fall of X storyline is. This is the group that would do absolutely everything it could to keep mutants safe, even if that means murder. The tone, the art, and the general feeling that this book is one of the last stands against Orchis make it intoxicating to read.

Dark X-Men #1 is available where comics are sold.

Rating: 5/5

Dark X-Men #1
5

TL;DR

Dark X-Men #1 is needed when times get as dark as they are…It’s one of the most epic lineups, with some of the mutant world’s most malicious, repulsive, and awesome representatives. But it’s demonstrative of where the Fall of X storyline is.

  • Read with Our Affiliate Link

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Email
Previous ArticleREVIEW: ‘Alien’ Issue #5
Next Article REVIEW: ‘Uncanny Avengers,’ Issue #1
William Tucker

William is a screenwriter with a love of comics and movies. Once referred to Wuthering Heights as "the one with the Rabbits."

Related Posts

Captain America Issue 1

REVIEW: ‘Captain America’ Issue 1

07/02/2025
Godzilla VS Thor Issue 1

REVIEW: ‘Godzilla vs Thor’ Issue 1

07/02/2025
X-Men Hellfire Vigil Issue 1 cover art

REVIEW: ‘X-Men: Hellfire Vigil’ Issue 1

07/02/2025
Uncanny X-Men Issue 16 cover

REVIEW: ‘Uncanny X-Men’ Issue 16

06/25/2025
Godzilla vs Avengers Issue 1

REVIEW: ‘Godzilla vs Avengers’ Issue 1

06/18/2025
Death of the Silver Surfer Issue 1

REVIEW: ‘Death of the Silver Surfer’ Issue 1

06/11/2025

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here
TRENDING POSTS
Taecyeon and Seohyun in The First Night With The Duke Episodes 7-8
7.5
TV

REVIEW: ‘The First Night With The Duke’ Episodes 7-8

By Sarah Musnicky07/03/2025

The First Night With The Duke Episodes 7-8 spends welcome time in pre-domestic bliss before new developments stir up trouble.

Together (2025) still from Sundance
8.0
Film

REVIEW: Have A Grossly Good Time ‘Together’

By Kate Sánchez01/27/2025Updated:07/04/2025

Dave Franco and Alison Brie’s Together (2025) is disgustingly funny, genuinely ugly, and just a good time at the movies.

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 and 4 Alcatraz
9.0
PS5

REVIEW: ‘Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3 + 4’ Gives Old Games New Life

By Kyle Foley07/07/2025

Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 and 4 is another example of how to breathe new life into a classic without losing touch of what makes the originals great.

Black Women Anime — But Why Tho (9) BWT Recommends

10 Black Women in Anime That Made Me Feel Seen

By LaNeysha Campbell11/11/2023Updated:12/03/2024

Black women are some of anime’s most iconic characters, and that has a big impact on Black anime fans. Here are some of our favorites.

But Why Tho?
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest RSS YouTube Twitch
  • CONTACT US
  • ABOUT US
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER
  • Review Score Guide
Sometimes we include links to online retail stores. If you click on one and make a purchase we may receive a small contribution.
Written Content is Copyright © 2025 But Why Tho? A Geek Community

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

But Why Tho Logo

Support Us!

We're able to keep making content thanks to readers like YOU!
Support independent media today with
Click Here