REVIEW: ‘X-Men’ Issue #8

X-Men #8 is published by Marvel Comics. It is written by Jed MacKay, with pencils by Ryan Stegman, inks by JP Mayer, John Livesay and Stegman, colors by Marte Gracia, and letters by Clayton Cowles. This issue is the first part of the “Raid on Graymalkin” crossover, bouncing between X-Men and Uncanny X-Men. After another X-Men member is captured, the X-Men unleashes a raid to break them out.

In the opening move of the crossover, MacKay strikes with malice and motivation. The issue’s set-up happens rapidly, getting to the prison as soon as possible. The majority of the issue occurs there. This mysterious jail of mutants has been bubbling under the start of the “From the Ashes” relaunch. And now those within have made their mother and captured Beast, Jubilee, and Calico. A war has started, and X-Men #8 carries the weight of the brilliantly.

The first blows of the battle are brutal, showing the stakes and the fight for survival that the post-Krakoan era has become. What is also becoming clear is how connected the various ongoing series are. This is a crossover between Uncanny X-Men and X-Men, the two flagship titles, but the other X-books could also prove useful. There are references to Sentinels and other ongoings that fill out and enhance the X-Men universe.

The past crimes that may have been committed before Krakoa fell are also brought up, giving the humans due cause to imprison the X-Men. It should be said that reading only one side of the crossover will be difficult, as each chapter will take place in alternating books.

The characters in X-Men #8 are forced to rely on training and strategies they’ve had to learn over their whole lives. The X-Men are tactical, dark, and effective in a war setting. This X-Men team, in particular, has had an interesting relationship with killing. There is a lethality setting within the squad, which can escalate or de-escalate when needed. With soldiers like Magik, Juggernaut, and Psylocke, this is not a cuddly group of heroes.

Even if the X-Men don’t kill, what they do to the prisoner guards can be brutal and surprising. They are seasoned veterans who have lost everything. Cyclops is the epitome of that. X-Men #8 sees Scott Summers as a real military leader. He’s got backup plans for his backup plans. The pain that this team has seen and experienced influences every decision they make, and they are done letting others walk all over them.

It will be fascinating to see how Mackay and Gail Simone, the writers of the two series, approach the dialogue of the characters from each other’s series. The first hints can be seen in X-Men #8, with Calico and Jubilee. What is clear is how in tune the creative teams are because many of the themes and personalities are so well translated and emulated by MacKay, especially Calico. Her upper-class country upbringing, which has slightly broken her brain, is perfect in X-Men #8. He also realises the growth she has achieved since her first appearance, demonstrating that in only a few panels.

Stegman and the inkers return to the series for the crossover. They tap into the ruthlessness with which both heroes and villains are approaching this war. The prison is a dingy, inhumane location, turning a school into a dungeon. Corina Ellis, the facility’s overseer, looks down at the mutants with true disdain, viewing them as nothing less than animals. Stegman adds a rough edge to this X-Men team and book, making their missions look vicious and desperate.

The artists execute the mutant powers superbly, hitting the jail with equal parts precision and power. Many of the heroes demonstrate what they are capable of. Similarly to their personalities, the Uncanny X-Men have brand new characters that have only been drawn by two artists in their whole history. So it is fascinating to see different approaches by an alternative penciller and inkers.

The colors are stunning. X-Men #8 has a bleak outlook whilst occasionally turning the pages vibrant and striking. Mutants inherently add color to comics. The prison jumpsuits, oppressive as they are, are a bright red that stands out among the beige stone walls of their surroundings.

Then the battle begins, and the various powers of the superheroes start tearing apart those bland rocks of Graymalkin. The letters are fantastic. They are always easy to read, and the SFX enriches the action immensely. There are numerous instances where violence happens off-panel, only detailed by the sound effects.

X-Men #8 is the result of spectacular synergy. Both sides release a lot of pent-up frustration in this issue. Those in Greymalkin have been building their power for a while, and the various books have been allowed to display their first arcs without much interruption. But now that prison has become the focus of attention, spreading its influence in a way that neither team can ignore, this first part of the crossover is the X-Men’s chance to start tearing the place up.

These blows have happened across the books, gathering an army so neither mutant group knows the full extent of what they’re facing. Two absolute heavyweight writers are at the helm of this crossover, and merging those minds will be amazing. Not only will it shake the prison to its foundations, but it will also shape the future of all X-Men stories.

X-Men #8 is available where comics are sold.