THE X-VIRUS UNLEASHED! The X-Men and 3K. Each steered by an original heir of Xavier, each with their own vision for the mutant people. Each at one another’s throats. Cyclops and the Chairman both experienced the future of the Age of Revelation and came home with a renewed mission: The X-Men to prevent that future. 3K to own it. While the X-Men seek out the Fantastic Four to help save one of their own, the White Beast begins his plan to unleash the X-Virus in a major population area! EVOLUTION IS CONTAGIOUS! DNX #1 is the start of the next X-event with Cyclop’s X-Men and the Fantastic Four clashing with the Chairman and 3K.

It’s been a little over a year since 3K’s X-Men were first introduced and a little over two years since this volume of X-Men began. DNX #1 feels like the beginning of the payoff for those who have stuck through the series which has delivered some rather intriguing twists and turns. It’s also the follow of to the “Age of Revelation” storyline that jumped the series ten years into the future where mutants dominate and a virus runs loose. That storyline had Cyclops and the Chairman return to the current time with knowledge of what’s to come. One is determined to prevent it while the other is determined to see it through. It’s yet another alternate timeline type story where someone needs to prevent it from occurring. But, there’s something intriguing about this as in some ways it gets to the roots of the X-Men.

Written by Jed MacKay, the story pits Cyclops’ duty against the Chairman’s vision. One wants to bring about mutant dominance while the other wants to protect mutants as well as humanity. The basic plot feels very much like the classic split of vision between Professor X and Magneto, one wanting peace and coexistence while the other wants militant domination. It’s also a clear shift from the recent Krakoan Age which saw mutants more as nationalists manipulating the world in many ways.

What’s solid about the issue is it feels like a bit of a throwback in some ways. Cyclops’ team really works as a team, each bringing their strengths to help the whole. Quentin Quire’s way of finding 3K’s cloaked ship is particularly cool and shows a use of the team’s mutant powers for more than just blunt force. Once confronting 3K’s X-Men, there’s also more than just the usual bash showing off the experience of the team as well. But that unity of a team and experience is in stark contrast to the Chairman and 3K who are unable to peacefully work together. MacKay keeps things shaky where readers have no idea who they can trust when it comes to the villains.

The inclusion of the Fantastic Four adds to the story as well. Having Beast work with Mr. Fantastic not only keeps the X-Men’s abilities in check (Beast can’t solve his problem) but it also allows for a morality debate about how to proceed. But, as we’ve seen elsewhere, it’s Sue Storm who really steps up showing she’s a badass leader who gets shit done (and makes us want to see MacKay take on the FF more).

The art by Federico Vicentini is pretty solid. With color by David Curiel and lettering by Clayton Cowles, the art is engaging and interesting. The issue’s visuals are able to shift from a debate between two characters to an outright brawl. Where things really stand out with DNX #1‘s art is its ability to deliver the tension and uncertainty during certain scenes. 3K unsure if they’re about to be killed by the Chairman creates a certain paranoia that the art is able to depict perfectly.

DNX #1 is for those truly invested in the current X-Men storyline. It continues a story that began some time ago and is a continuation of the reveals in the “Age of Revelation.” New readers might enjoy it, the team does a good job and making it new reader friendly, but the interesting details might be lost. Overall, not a bad start to an event that has us interested in seeing how it plays out.

Story: Jed MacKay Art: Federico Vicentini
Color: David Curiel Letters: Clayton Cowles
Story: 8.0 Art: 8.0 Overall: 8.0 Recommendation: Read

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

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