The first line-wide event in Hickman’s X-Men run started this week. X of Swords will be a 22 part crossover event that is sure to shake everything up. It’s also been almost a full year since House of X and Powers of X wrapped up. This is a great time to take a look back at how the X-Men titles have done so far. Here is a report card for every Dawn of X book so far.
Fallen Angels
Grade: D
Fallen Angel‘s might be the only “failure” in the Dawn of X relaunch so far. It certainly isn’t an awful book. Unfortunately, this six-issue miniseries simply failed to contribute to the rest of the line. It doesn’t have a compelling story and its full of poor execution. Fallen Angels is hard to recommend to anyone but the most hardcore Psylocke fans. It’s all a shame because the premise is fantastic.
Excalibur
Grade: C+
Excalibur feels like a niche series in the Dawn of X run. It’s heavy on magic and British lore and history. It’s also the hardest X-Men book to read. It requires tons of investment and a willingness to not understand everything. Despite this, Excalibur has some fantastic moments that make it a worthwhile read. Every issue isn’t a home run, but Excalibur rewards its readers. Plus it gave Jubilee one of her best moments in the character’s history.
X-Force
Grade: B-
X-Force is neat in Dawn of X. It’s a fine blend of political intrigue and intense action. It is the most adult book in the line, with some genuinely shocking (And borderline edgy) moments. It’s also one of the few books in the line that constantly introduces plot points and villains that heavily influences all of the other X-Men titles. It’s almost a must-read just because of how vital it is to Hickman’s story. It isn’t for everyone, but the book’s target audience will love what X-Force offers.
X-Men
Grade: B
X-Men is the flagship title in the lineup and for the most part, it lives up the expectations. Most of the series is enjoyable, with great drama and action throughout. What makes X-Men so interesting is that every few issues, Hickman delivers an absolutely incredible moment. If every issue could be like issues #4 or #7, X-Men would be one of the best books on the stands. Still, it’s a solid read that is easy to look forward to every month.
X-Factor
Grade: B
X-Factor is the youngest series in Dawn of X so far. The series is about a team of mutants tasked with investigating mutant deaths. It reads like a detective show, making it fun for those who like episodic crime series. The series mostly utilizes less popular characters, giving them a great opportunity to shine. Leah Williams is crafting a series that is unlike anything else in the line so far. It’s a nice break from all the fancy high concept stuff that the rest of Dawn of X is throwing at readers.
Cable
Grade: B
Cable doesn’t have the wide appeal that Wolverine has. Despite this, Cable is still a respectable book that does its titular character justice. It’s funny and it makes great use of the supporting cast. Young Cable has plenty of new stories for readers to consume, so if there is any interest, this is a great new series to pick up.
Marauders
Grade: A
Marauders is an astounding book. It’s one of the most adventurous books in the line, taking a team of mutants to the seas. Gerry Duggan brings an entertaining issue every month, while the artists bring the charm to the panels. The series is full of charming humor that is absent from most of the X-Men titles. It’s a fun title that feels fresh and is possibly the best Dawn of X book.
New Mutants
Grade: A
While Marauders is a solid blend of drama and humor, New Mutants almost goes all-in on the humor. The cast is almost completely made up of the B-Heroes, with the biggest name on the roster being Magik. Still, the cast of New Mutants has incredible chemistry, and the team’s antics in space are thoroughly entertaining. The art can be a bit inconsistent sometimes, but Hickman and Brisson consistently deliver a fun experience for readers.
Wolverine
Grade: A
There have been tons of Wolverine stories, but none feel quite as fresh as Ben Percy’s ongoing run. Wolverine is a thrilling series that breathes new life into the character. The mystery elements are fantastic, giving readers a new look at Logan. It’s only five issues in, but this is easily one of the most satisfying books in the current line. Fans of the character owe it to themselves to read Wolverine.
Hellions
Grade: A
The baddies of the X-Men universe star in one of the most entertaining new series to come out of Dawn of X. Hellions is simply thrilling. It’s full of fantastic action, fun banter, and a wild story. This series is wrapping up its first arc, so it is hard to call it the best of the bunch just yet. Still, this series is just nonstop fun and will be at the top of your read pile every month if it is added to your pull list. Don’t sleep on this title.
