DNX #2 – In the Name of Science

Creative Team – Jed MacKay, Federico Vicentini, David Curiel, VC’s Clayton Cowles, Kaare Andrews

Published by Marvel Comics

Catch up with DNX #1!

The Story

Shawn – “Say Uncle, Hillbilly” might be my new favorite Magik line ever. Jed MacKay puts us right back into the action where DNX #1 stopped. It’s an all-hands-on-deck approach, and I love an opportunity for Johnny and Ben to team up. One of my favorite parts of this issue, other than that hilarious line from Magik, was seeing MacKay remind us how cerebral and calculating Psylocke can be. This issue also serves as a great reminder of how The Chairman continues to be the most depraved and cold version of Beast that exists.

On the other hand, I really enjoyed the high-level banter between Beast and Reed Richards. It was a nice reminder that even for someone familiar with various physiologies like Richards, the only thing essentially the same from X-Man to X-Man is the presence of that X-gene. MacKay doesn’t wait until the third, the midway point of this series, to get to the action. DNX #2 sees the issue end with a massive plot twist that will set the tone for the rest of the story moving forward.

Megan – DNX #2 picks up right where it left off with the X-Men taking on the Chairman’s X-Men, with Johnny Storm and Ben Grimm valiantly joining the battle. The X-Men have more than enough on their plates with handling these mutants, so it’s a blessing that Johnny and Ben offered their help. The Chairman’s plan to release the X-Virus isn’t exactly going according to plan, but when dealing with Beast, it’s best to assume he has a backup plan. That assumption is right because it seems that he’s considered every possibility.

Meanwhile, Reed Richards, Sue Storm, and Beast are working hard to find a way to cure Magneto. Running into complications, it seems even the brightest minds in the world are having trouble trying to understand a way to help Magneto.

DNX #2 feels like the stakes have been turned up to a 10. The issue is action from beginning to end, with both teams of X-Men bringing all they have to the battle. There’s an excellent juxtaposition in the differing team members’ powers, and it was fantastic to see it all at work. We’re left on a huge note that I didn’t think would happen, so I’m excited to see where we go from here.

The Art

Shawn -Federico Vicentini, David curiel, and Clayton Cowles gave us some really great art in this issue. Where DNX #1 was more of a story establishing issue except for the end, Vincentini gets to go full gas out of the gate on this issue. Picking up where the last issue left off give Vincentini lots of line work and he begins to build up these massive action scenes not only littered with the physical characters but the debris from the characters using their powers. Combine this with the addition of Johnny Storm and Ben Grimm and Vincentini had his work cut out for him but he nails it.

David Curiel blew me away with his colors. I’m always excited to see, from artist to artist, how they will color the Human Torch. Some focus on the brightness, while some add more detail and depth with the colors. Curiel manages to find a sweet spot. The colors really set the mood and help you move easily between the two primary settings for this issue. Clayton Cowles, in part, helps you remember that you’re moving between The Chairman and The Beast. Both are versions of Hank McCoy, but the way Cowles manages to make you feel the independent voice of each is a credit to his talent and ability as a letterer.

Megan – Federico Vicentini, David Curiel, and Clayton Cowles continue to knock it out of the park with the artwork in this second issue. Vicentini absolutely thrives when it comes to the action-filled panels. Bringing so many powersets to the front row and having the X-Men flex all they have, you feel yourself sitting on the edge of your seat because you know literally anything could happen at any point. Vicentini is able to draw this battle in a way that keeps you guessing. The hits are dynamic, the powers are huge, and it seems that almost everyone has a trick up their sleeve. David Curiel brings so many different contrasting colors that look absolutely stunning on each and every page. The powersets are what truly lights up the pages, especially pages that involve Johnny Storm. Each power comes with its own energy as far as colors go and Curiel brings all the heat to the pages of DNX #2. Clayton Cowles nails the voice of the many different characters, allowing you to see just how different they all are in their dialogue.

Final Thoughts

Shawn – 9/10. DNX #2 ramps up the story by dropping a bombshell cliffhanger. It’s a bold move on a series with three more issues of story to tell, but Jed MacKay, along with the rest of the creative team, has shown they have the chops to take it the distance.

Megan – 8/10. We’re left on a huge note that really turns the whole event around. Jed MacKay knows how to keep your eyes locked on the story expertly, as he does in DNX #2. My eyes didn’t leave the comic until the very end, and even then, I wanted to know more.

Overall Grade – 8.5 / 10

Let us know in the comments what you thought of DNX #2!