EXCEPTIONAL X-MEN #6 – On the Path to Change

Creative Team – Eve L. Ewing(writing). Carmen Carnero(artist). Nolan Woodard(color artist). VC’s Travis Lanham(letterer). Carmen Carnero, Nolan Woodard(cover artists).

Published by Marvel Entertainment

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“WHO IS SHELDON XENOS? AXO, the Exceptional X-Men’s resident empath, goes to work for the creator of the wildly popular Verate app. Maybe Xenos and his inventions can bring mutants the support, recognition and connection they deserve. But the charismatic technology mogul seems to be hiding a secret… or two… or four… or…”(Credit: Marvel)

The Story

Bronze, Axo, and Melee are the new mutants on the block and they have been training their tails off. Fortunately for them, they have the best mentors anyone could ask for, Kitty, Emma, and now Iceman to show them how to use their powers and survive as mutants in a world that isn’t too accepting of them.

While some mutants have it easier than others because their x-gene isn’t on display for the world to see like Bronze and Melee, you have the other mutants like Axo who is constantly judged for his mutant looks. This has always been an issue in the X-Men world, and now it’s an issue Axo has to deal with.

Going back to the teenagers training, it seems much more than just their powers are improving. The mutant trio wants to be independent and not have to depend on others for financial freedom, so they made the decision to get jobs. Kitty’s roommate, Priti, just so happens to have a job opening for them as interns at her consulting firm. Jumping straight into the action of the consulting world, the trio has their first client, Sheldon Xeno of the company, Verate.

Verate

Sheldon’s goal of his company is to improve the problems people face every day personally, such as weight loss, damaged skin, or mental health problems. It all sounds well and good until he says that customers send in samples of their own DNA to the company so they can get their own personalized bio-informed portfolio. Bronze and Melee have already made up their minds about Sheldon, but Axo wants to know more.

Of course this hits home for the young empath mutant, as he deals with judgement every day from strangers on the street. Sheldon, being a mutant himself, takes a personal interest in Axo, and wants to meet with him one on one. While Axo feels a real connection to Sheldon, as he understands what Axo has gone through, the other mutants and their mentors know something isn’t right.

The Writing

Eve L. Ewing gives us a great bit on continuity by giving a better look at the app that’s been loosely mentioned, Verate. I’m very intrigued as to where this goes given there’s so many possibilities of the app being used for evil, as mutants sending in their DNA to the company is never a good idea. What’s more interesting is that the owner of the company is a mutant himself, and is mutant-presenting. It feels like something wild is going to happen with Verate and I can’t wait to read about it.

What I really enjoy about Exceptional X-Men #6 is how Ewing put a spotlight on Axo and what he’s gone through as a young mutant. It’s something that his mutant friends can never relate to.

Being judged for looking the way a mutant does isn’t new to the X-Men world, but to see how relatable Ewing has made Axo was a breath of fresh air.

The Art

I think what stands out to me the most is the excellent cover art by Carmen Carnero and Nolan Woodard. It perfectly shows the depth of Axo’s emotions and how alone he truly feelings, even though he’s surrounded by fellow mutants.

Inside the comic, Carnero, Woodard, and Travis Lanham continue to impress by capturing the tone of the story and bringing it to life. From the perfect illustrations of the character’s emotions, to the larger than life look of their power sets, from beginning to end, Exceptional X-Men #6 is a visually exciting comic to read.

Overall Grade – 8.8/10

Be sure to let me know in the comments what you thought of Exceptional X-Men #6!

This review was written by Megan from the Vigilante Vibes Podcast. If you liked my review, be sure to check out my other reviews! Let me know what you think of Exceptional X-Men #6, or tell me what comics you’d recommend me trying out! Find me on my socials, and check out my Marvel podcast, Vigilante Vibes, by clicking here!