Against all odds, I am very excited about Age of X-Man. This is an event that is going to cost me over $120 centered around X-Man, a character that, after reading literally every single comic he has been in, I despise. None the less, I feel sheer joy when thinking about Age of X-Man, and that comes from the fact that I trust these creators. Since all I do around here is rank things, and that’s the content people want anyway, I have decided to rank the Age Of X-Man mini-series based only on my first impressions. I have seen no art but the covers, not read a single page, I don’t even have a solicit. This is the proper way to judge a comic, I am sure of it.
6. APOCALYPSE AND THE X-TRACTS
What a cover right? Gerardo Sandoval killed it with this one. Beyond that, however, nothing is blowing my mind. Apocalypse isn’t a character I’m pumped about building a book around. Surrounding him with Kitty, Dazzler, Kid Apocalypse, Eye-Boy, and who is that Oya(?) a gender-swapped Synch(?) (EDITORS NOTE: it is a new character named Unveil), does nothing to excite me. Tim Seeley is a good writer but his SHATTERSTAR has left me cold. Similarly, Salva Espin is a solid artist but isn’t all that memorable. I hope this book wins me over, it looks like it could be a ton of fun, but for now, it is the book I’m least into.
5. PRISONER X
Gambit Bishop, Beast, Polaris, Honey Badger, and Dani Moonstar (EDITORS NOTE: or someone else maybe, not really confirmed)? OK you have my attention. Patch Zircher (who’s cousin did my son’s infant photos), nails the dour mood here. This is a group of people who have lost, but have not been broken. I’m down for that, and I’m down for a solid prison story from Vita Ayala. They are an up and coming talent, though one who’s work I’m unfamiliar with. I am, however, very familiar with German Peralta who’s work on CABLE this year with incredibly moving. His ability to set a mood on the page has me excited about this release.
4. THE X-TREMISTS
I’m a well known Leah Williams fan. I’ve made no apologies about that. We bonded over Maggott and Emma and garbage on Twitter. And the fact that her comic is coming in at #4 on this list should tell you just how stacked Age of X-Man is. THE X-TREMISTS is an interesting cast comprised of Jubilee, Psylocke, Iceman, Northstar, Blob, and a new character named Moneta. They have a paramilitary feel to them and look dope on this Rahzzah cover. Georges Jeanty is doing interiors and I’m not too familiar with his stuff, though he was heavily praised for BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER: SEASON EIGHT. I know this will be a good book because Leah is writing it, and I know that my top four could change based on my mood, so y’all need to get pumped for this.
3. NEXTGEN
Chris Bachalo drew Moggott, Glob Herman, and Goldballs so, yeah, that’s a cover targeted specifically at me. Teen books are able to give underutilized characters a real voice and can often be a breath of fresh air. Ed Brisson has excelled with arcs like “Glob Loves, Man Kills” and EXTERMINATION has shown he can do a big story. Furthermore, Marcus To really stretched himself on X-MEN BLUE and could surprise a ton of people with this book. The final cast will make or break this book for me, but it does promise that Glob Herman tries to raise some hens and I don’t know what else I want in a comic.
2. THE MARVELOUS X-MEN
Being the “core” book for this event probably gives this a bonus but I am really excited to see where this goes. This is a fun mix of classic characters with oddballs like X-Man and Nature Girl added to the mix. Marco Failla has a nice, clean style that should make this book inviting for a lot of readers. But the big draw for me is Lonnie Nadler & Zac Thompson. This duo has blown me away with THE DREGS, COME INTO ME, CABLE, and their work on X-MEN BLACK. They are passionate about the X-Men, but more than that, they are talented storytellers. Also, I think this Phil Noto guy might be good at cover art.
1. THE AMAZING NIGHTCRAWLER
That adjective, amazing, is so important here. I have been saying for years that Nightcrawler is too good of a character to be relegated to just the X-Men. He should have just as much appeal to the general public as Spider-Man but for whatever reason, he has been underutilized. Seanan McGuire is a fabulous choice to try and push him into the spotlight. Her success in prose mixed with her passion for the source material inspires a ton of confidence from me. Juan Frigeri has been doing great work on PETER PARKER, THE SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN and Kurt needs that same energy. This reminds me of Carol Danvers in HOUSE OF M. This could be a watershed moment for Nightcrawler and I am so energized to see what comes from this.
Fellow true believers, the Age of X-Man is upon us, but fear not! This shall be more than a rehash of a decades-old event, this is an opportunity for the X-Books to try fresh ideas, to give fresh creators a chance to spread their wings. This is the dawning of a new age, and one we should all look to with wonder.
Zachary Jenkins runs ComicsXF and is a co-host on the podcast “Battle of the Atom.” Shocking everyone, he has a full and vibrant life outside of all this.
