Bring on the bad guys! In the wake of the Age of Revelation, the gene-terrorist group 3K has been revitalized. But will their internal schemes undo them? X-Men #24 puts the spotlight on the villains after the events of the “Age of Revelation.”

While I read the first few issues of the latest X-Men run, I quickly dropped off. It wasn’t bad but it also didn’t hook me like it did when I was a regular reader. So, when it comes to groups like 3K, I’m fairly in the dark as to their history and motivations. But, X-Men #24 delivers enough you don’t need to know any of that. After the previous issue focused on Cyclops’ return to the present after being flung into the future, X-Men #24 focuses on the impact of the event for 3K.

Writer Jed MacKay delivers an interesting issue that shows a group of villains in disarray and sniping at each other as leadership vacuum is present. In just one issue, you get a sense of personalities and motivations, but most importantly the conflict within the group. This is one that will be its own undoing with attacks on each other as they each try to take control. You don’t get the full history, but the issue catches readers up and then charts a path forward.

The art by Tony Daniel is good with interesting character designs and some nice action as the situation plays out. With ink by Mark Morales, color by Fer Sifuentes-Sujo, and lettering by Clayton Cowles, this isn’t an issue of flash, full page spreads, and memorable art. It plays out more like a focused play with a few sets and mainly about characters interacting with each other.

X-Men #24 is good in that it catches up readers, reflects on the recent event, and then moves the story forward. It shows off a group of villains that are flawed and interesting in their dysfunction. They don’t come off as major threats though, overall they feel like the villains who are constantly defeated due to some minor detail they missed. Still, the issue answers some questions and sets things up for what’s to come.

Story: Jed MacKay Art: Tony Daniel
Ink: Mark Morales Color: Fer Sifuentes-Sujo Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Story: 7.75 Art: 7.75 Overall: 7.75 Recommendation: Read

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

---

Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle

One X-Man of the present has been stranded in the Age of Revelation, fighting against impossible odds in the world of tomorrow. But while they’ve been there, what has their future counterpart been doing in their body in the present? X-Men #23 fills in a gap in the “Age of Revelation” storyline and sets up the next storyline “Shadows of Tomorrow.”

Written by Jed MacKay, X-Men #23 is an interesting comic. It is sort of an epilogue to the recent “Age of Revelation” event, but also leads into what comes next. It answers some questions readers might have had that weren’t answered during the event.

In “Age of Revelation” the consciousness of Cyclops got pulled into the future into his body while his future consciousness was put into his younger body. We know what happened to the “future self” version but this reveals what happened in the present and checks off one burning question… why didn’t they just try to kill Doug Ramsey aka Revelation?

We see how things played out and yes, future Cyclops attempts to kill Ramsey and clearly fails but that sets up strife within the group and also teases, maybe the “Age of Revelation” isn’t a guaranteed future?

Though it’s subtle, MacKay gives an out with future Cyclops remarking how things were slightly different and not how he remembered it. It could mean that he just misremembered or it means that this past is different and might not lead to his future. It’s a two page interaction and moment, but is a key one going forward that hopefully will be revisited when things revert back.

The art by Tony Daniel is solid as expected. There’s some great pages and panels and while the action is solid, it’s a simple moment between Magneto and Cyclops that stands out. With ink by Mark Morales, color by Fer Sifuentes-Sujo, and lettering by Clayton Cowles, the comic looks great with a visual feel of tension and chaos. The characters look solid and Daniel really emphasizes the emotional aspects to MacKay’s story.

X-Men #23 is a comic that’s key for those all in on the “Age of Revelation” storyline and what comes next with “Shadows of Tomorrow.” It answers some questions but also sets up some key aspects for what’s to come. This is more for the die-hards already invested in the story but those who want to jump on might want to start here too.

Story: Jed MacKay Art: Tony Daniel
Ink: Mark Morales Color: Fer Sifuentes-Sujo Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Story: 8.0 Art: 8.0 Overall: 8.0 Recommendation: Read

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

---

Purchase: Comix Experience – Zeus Comics – Kindle