X-MEN UNITED #1 – Classic and Brand New

Creative Team – Eve L. Ewing, Tiago Palma, Brian Reber, VC’s Joe Sabino, Stefano Caselli, Federico Blee

Published by Marvel Comics

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The Story

This comic review is brought to you by the dynamic duo of Megan and Shawn!

Shawn – Man, I loved what Eve L. Ewing did with this issue. I really like the idea of X-Men United and having a “central hub” of sorts for X-Men and issue #1 shows that Ewing is the perfect person to take that mantle and run with it. As a self professed Kitty Pryde fan, I love that she is front and center. In addition, I like that Ewing is giving us a familiar idea in a way that feels new and different. Sure trouble is around the corner, because when is it not for the X-Men. That said seeing Ewing write Scott Summers as complaining about people being unwilling to compromise feels like a piece of delicious irony for X-Men fans to enjoy.

Megan – Charles Xavier’s dream of having a school for young and wayward mutants continues to be something to achieve, and it seems like Emma Frost and Kitty Pryde did it! Introducing Graymatter Lane, created and run by some of the most iconic mutants around! Graymatter Lae is a mind palace that can be accessed anywhere across the world by any mutant that holds the telepathic key. Inside Graymatter Lane, there are classes, there is safety, and there’s unity. That is, until someone is against the plan and goes out of their way to watch it all burn.

Inside X-Men United #1, you’re taken back to when the X-Men were training in the Danger Room, or when students were taught by famous mutant mentors. There’s a sense of familiarity while having the new and shiny feeling. With characters that we’ve all read about and loved under one roof, continuing the dream of Professor X, you’re reminded of that special thing that made the X-Men what they are.

Eve L. Ewing, the writer of United X-Men #1, brought back beloved characters, new characters, and characters that we’ve gotten to know in the From the Ashes era. Ewing brilliantly creates a fantastic and smooth flow for the story while having so many different characters in the story. The heightened emotions, twists and turns, and brand new world-building while still having the classic X-Men vibes is a testament to her spectacular writing skills.

The Art

Shawn – Tiago Palma and Brian Reber really had their work cut out for them with this debut issue, and they hit a home run. When you’re bringing together mutants from all different places and situations, you’re going to have a wide variety of art styles and color palettes. Palma and Reber come off as a Swiss Army knife in the art for this issue, with every setting, background, and character feeling perfect for the narrative. One of my favorite things the art team accomplished with this issue is the expressiveness of the characters. I feel like if you had given me blank speech bubbles, I would still know how characters are feeling based on their art alone. Joe Sabino juggles lots of characters perfectly, making it clear who is speaking while controlling the flow of the story and letting the words and art sing.

Megan – The artwork of X-Men United #1 is simply divine. The artists captured the magic of the mutants through their looks and through their powersets with ease. Tiago Palma provides excellently detailed panels that allow the pictures to speak for themselves. Brian Reber brought a beautiful amount of vibrancy through his work on the colors that make the characters feel like they’re popping off the pages. Joe Sabino was able to capture each character’s personality through their dialogue, which brought a lot of depth to what they were saying.

Final Thoughts

Shawn – 10/10. This feels good. This feels like a race jumping off on the right foot. Eve L. Ewing’s writing is spectacular, and Marvel has paired the writer with an art team that emotes the characters so well to match her narrative. I love the idea and the concept of Graymatter Lane. I can’t wait to see how the story evolves.

Megan – 10/10. This comic was made with the X-Men fans in mind. There’s an incredible essence of what makes the X-Men who they are, while introducing new factors. This was an absolute home run!

Overall Grade – 10/10

Let us know in the comments what you thought of X-Men United #1!