Review: Way of X #1

Way of X is a fascinating examination of the hubris brought on by the nation of Krakoa as they cast themselves as God. Nightcrawler has always been the voice of religious faith within the X-Men fold, and here he struggles with the massive power of the Mutant Nation, bringing the dead back to life with renewed power, providing healing and miracles to the world.

This comic is a welcome addition to the current X-Cannon as Nightcrawler is not only acting as a heretic to his own religion, going so far as to having proposed creating a new mutant religion, but also questioning the ethical principles laid down by his fellow mutants. This allows for a fascinating outsiders look at the mutant nation and clearly mirrors many readers’ perspectives. When Magneto is the most sane person in the room, something is clearly amiss.

The story also has a second thread, something is clearly amiss in the mind of Professor X and others and something is slowly attacking their minds. The issue begins with Professor X waking from a nightmare. He reaches out to Nightcrawler who is visiting Venice with a group of young mutants who consider fundamental principles of morality, respect and fear of death to be below them. They find an anti-mutant hate group and a fight ensues in which Pixie recklessly allows herself to be shot knowing that Krakoan resurrection is always awaiting those mutants who die.

On their return the team sets up a celebration for Magneto, commemorating his initial defeat at the hands of the X-Men. Magneto alludes to the fact that this is all simply to distract from the horrors of the Crucible coming that night and Nightcrawler argues this is simply murder. As the Crucible approaches Nightcrawler runs into Dr Nemesis who was behind much of the Krakoan advancements but now is in psychedelic thoughtfulness.

Magneto meanwhile violently kills a former mutant in the crucible with a crowd cheering on the violence, ostensibly so he can be resurrected with his original powers. After the resurrection goes wrong, Nightcrawler has deeper worries about the moral implications of the mutant nation’s actions and the mysterious Patchwork Man makes an appearance. The issue ends with another resurrection, this time an unexpected one as Legion returns from the beyond.

There is a lot of complexity and depth to the religious and philosophical questions being asked throughout this issue. The mutant nation and it’s clear God-complex are seen in its full problematic nature through the eyes of a truly religious man finally facing just how far from religion he and Krakoa has gone.

The art is a bit too classic in construction but each panel is well done, making pages of dialogue interesting and keeping characters active and expressive. This is a book that was badly needed in the current X-Men universe. The X-Men need a conscience and it will be fascinating to see if Nightcrawler can move Krakoa at all back toward God and morality.

Writing: 4.6 of 5 stars
Art: 3.8 of 5 stars
Colors: 4.0 of 5 stars

Overall: 4.2 of 5 stars

Writer: Si Spurrier
Artist: Bob Quinn
Colors: Java Tartaglia
Letters: Clayton Cowles
Publisher: Marvel Comics

Author Profile

M.R. Jafri

M.R. Jafri was born and raised in Niagara Falls New York and now lives with his family in Detroit Michigan. He's a talkative introvert and argumentative geek. His loves include Star Wars, Star Trek, Superheroes, Ninja Turtles, Power Rangers, Transformers, GI Joe, Films, Comics, TV Shows, Action Figures and Twizzlers.