DNX #3 – It All Comes To A Head

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

Published by Marvel Comics

Catch up with DNX #2!

The Story

This review is brought to you by Nerd Initiative’s Megan and Shawn!

Shawn – Jed MacKay really begins to pull out all the stops in this series with DNX #3. After picking up where we last left off, we see the aftermath of the cliffhanger from the last issue. One thing I really love about DNX so far is that Cyclops doesn’t get to take the easy way out. I’ve always had difficulty with the character because it always feels like he gets to win. He gets to make easy decisions and is proven right. In DNX #3, MacKay forces Scott to make some really tough decisions without the promise that they will turn out right. It makes for a high-stakes story that draws you in.

One thing I really enjoy is that from Krakoa to her solo series to now DNX, MacKay has kept Magik as sassy and hilarious as ever. There’s no shortage of snappy comebacks and humor from Illyana, even amidst all of the drama the team is facing. The climax of this issue was perfectly done. While it was predictable if you’ve been reading the series and the tie-ins, it was done by MacKay in a way that still makes it impactful and an awe-inspiring moment.

Megan – There was so much packed into this issue! Picking up right where we left off, the Chairman unleashed the virus in Jupiter. Pandamonium follows. The X-Men have more than one problem on their plates. Along with the X-Virus, there’s also a gigantic spaceship slowly making its way to a crash landing in Philadelphia. The X-Men don’t have much to work with besides each other, so they’ll have to get creative. Meanwhile, Sue Storm and Reed Richards are preparing to shrink themselves down to help cure Magneto. Coincidentally, Magneto is the only one that would be able to stop the crashing ship.

The energy in DNX #3 was electric all the way through. The energy was high, but the stakes were higher. I have to say that this is easily my favorite issue so far. While the other issues were setting this up, it paid off handsomely with the X-Men trying to handle each issue as a team.

The Art

Shawn – Federico Vicentini, David Curiel, and Clayton Cowles really did a great job right out of the gate with DNX #3. Vicentini in particular had an uphill battle ahead of him with the aftermath of the fights in the last issue. He masterfully crafts the settings of each scene, ensuring there is significant line work to create details in the background without feeling like the scenery is so complex that it distracts from the narrative. The major reveal of the issue is given a full-page panel, and Vicentini takes full advantage of the space to craft a beautiful, poster-worthy panel.

That big panel works as well as it does in part because of the work of David Curiel. Curiel has done a spectacular job coloring DNX #3. The scenes are dynamic, and characters stand out because of his work. The deployment of the X Virus in the previous issue and the beginning of this issue really stand out. Curiel chooses a purple hue that feels both menacing and non-threatening at the same time. Clayton Cowles is the final piece of the puzzle on that full-page panel, with the lettering really making the reveal pop. Throughout the whole issue, Cowles helps guide readers through the story and feel the emotion coming from both the members of 3K as well as the X-Men.

Megan – Federico Vicentini, David Curiel, and Clayton Cowles set the tone immediately with looks at Juniper which is now a hazardous zone. Mutants are being made, humans are dying, and you can feel the high emotions throughout the panels. Vicentini gives an enormous amount of detail on every page, but I have to say that what pulled me in were the characters. The characters wore their emotions on their sleeves and could practically tell the story themselves. David Curiel handled the colors and brought a ton of vibrancy to a story that was drenched in darkness. With powersets on full display, Curiel made each one feel larger than life. My favorite panel is towards the end with a full-page appearance of an unexpected character. Keep an eye out for that! Clayton Cowles captures the different tones of the characters and allows the emotions to do the talking in the dialogue, while providing an even flow throughout the story.

Final Thoughts

Shawn – 9/10. DNX #3 is exactly what you would want for the middle issue of a five-issue arc. The story raises the stakes in a meaningful way. This creative team does a great job in this issue of giving you some resolution while also beginning to unwind new threads that may have lasting impact beyond even the DNX event.

Megan – 9.2/10. DNX #3 is easily my favorite issue yet! This issue captures you and doesn’t let you go until the very end. The energy was high, the stakes were even higher, and I was locked in.

Overall Grade – 9.1/10

Let us know in the comments what you thought of DNX #3!