REVIEW: ‘Exceptional X-Men’ (2024) Issue #1

Exceptional X-Men (2024) #1 is published by Marvel Comics. It is written by Eve Ewing, with art by Carmen Carnero, colors by Nolan Woodward and letters by Joe Sabino. This issue is part of the “From the Ashes” relaunch of the X books. Kate Pryde tries to return to everyday life, but a young mutant in danger forces her to act.

Exceptional X-Men (2024) #1 is an issue that reads like two halves. The first half is brilliant exposition, placing Kate in a setting that most can relate to. After the fall of Krakoa, she now works in a bar, has a roommate, and struggles with anxiety. It sets a baseline for the book that slowly begins to escalate. This first issue focuses solely on Kate for 90%, making the comic easy to settle into. It’s a calm reset of her life that doesn’t take much to destabilise.

The second half of the comic is an injection of pace and adrenaline as Kate leaps to protect a young girl who suddenly finds herself in mortal peril. The issue shines because the danger isn’t an existential threat to mutant-kind but a threat to just one. But that is presented as just as important.

The rest of Exceptional X-Men (2024) #1 is a fast-paced chase scene, revealing new locations and problems as Kate phases through the walls. Not only is it exciting, but it reestablishes the stress-filled lifestyle mutants live again. Where they once had a place of safety to call home, now they are scrambling to stay alive. In the final pages, the book begins to expand, with other members of the X-Men about to make themselves known.

Kate has often been used as the anchor of the X-Men, so it is fitting that she becomes that again. These have occurred at significant moments in her life as the young mutant has grown within the pages of the X-Men comic. But she has stalled somewhat in Exceptional X-Men (2024) #1. Without the X-Men around her, Kate looks listless and stagnated. I have often felt the same feelings in my own life, while, around the same age as her, the first stages of the book resonate with the regular human.

But Kate also demonstrates what separates her from others. She thinks fast and is determined to keep the young girl safe. Kate can be the leader without being as authoritative as those older figures. The young girl Kate tries to rescue is adorable and innocent, barely aware of anything regarding mutants. She will impact the rest of the series, and the fresh face will be exciting for both Ewing and the reader.

The art is excellent. There is a domestic feel to how Carnero portrays the city of Bridgeport and Kate’s new life. It’s bright and rosy, with no major problems hanging over her head. It’s far from a depressing setting, just average. Kitty spends the whole time out of a costume, with that entire life in the past. Carnero’s design of the issue’s lead character is amazing; she’s wonderfully expressive, capturing the tone of each moment. She can be elated and confident whilst also being nervous and wallowing in guilt. Without the action, that is what drives the story. But then the issue changes entirely when the chase begins.

As Kate leads the young girl through the nightclub, the book is bustling with fashion and action. It’s not a particularly violent comic, but the movement and threats of danger are exhilarating. After that, the book moves into a period of melancholy and sadness. Carnero draws the shadows in further, making the world look darker and unfriendly. For the youngster, her life has changed, and much of her innocence has vanished.

Exceptional X-Men (2024) #1 is full of beautiful and passionate colors. The opening contains more natural lighting, using the sun to illuminate Kiity’s life and highlight the fresh start that she’s been forced into. Later in the book, the vibrant nightlife is magnified by the neon shades Woodar has implemented. They alter the atmosphere and increase the intensity.

The new mutant’s design is brilliant in terms of line art, but the color palette used for her is stunning. There is a lot of pink, instantly making her look positive and exciting. The lettering is mostly comfortable, but the white text on a light blue background for the caption boxes could be uncomfortable for some readers.

Exceptional X-Men (2024) #1 shows that characters come first. The other issues of the From The Ashes relaunch have intense starts, with dragons, black holes, and sentinels all featuring in the premier issues. But this comic makes a more personal approach. It slowly makes its way into the action found in an X-Men comic. But first, Kate must come to terms with what she’s done and will do now.

Exceptional X-Men (2024) #1 is a beautiful book in both art and writing, with a genuine heart and growing towards something crazier. The resonance that Kitty’s new life had with my own situation was a total surprise and created an immediate affection towards the book.

Exceptional X-Men (2024) #1 is available where comics are sold.