‘Way of X’ #1 provides insight into very important questions

Way of X’s first issue might just be the most exciting installment in the Krakoa era in a long time.

April 19, 2021

Like many readers, when Si Spurrier first announced he was taking over another X-Men title, I was initially hopeful — after all, X-Men: Legacy was easily one of the most enjoyable X-titles at the time it was coming out. Way of X #1 proves that faith was put in the right place.

Without giving too many spoilers, Way of X #1 presents very familiar X-Men in a very new setting. Back in X-Men #7, many noted that Nightcrawler’s voice and actions seemed all off — and he hasn’t appeared much elsewhere in the current era beyond some cameos. Way of X #1 is a very familiar Kurt Wagner, and Si Spurrier is clearly pushing this character to ask some very challenging questions that only the new era can bring. It’s great character work for Kurt and this is precisely the book Kurt fans have wanted since the Hickman era of X-Men began.

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There are some really interesting philosophical questions that Way of X brings up, many that fans themselves have been debating on for the better part of the year. That’s part of what makes Way of X such an enjoyable read — seeing these questions brought up and knowing they’ll be explored. It’s a comic that makes you think and sometimes the answers aren’t as black and white as you’d like to think.

The characters in this title are lesser-used characters of the era, making this one of the most exciting titles in the X-line at the moment. While many readers, myself included, had deduced the identity of the Patchwork Man before the series had ever begun, the predictability of that plot here isn’t even an issue — it’s absolutely exciting. And without too many spoilers, seeing that character at that person’s gravesite made me instantly geek out. Way of X and the Patchwork Man plot as a whole provides Si Spurrier a chance to write a character he knows better than anyone else.

While it’s nice to see Alani Ryan aka Loa back in action, it’s important to note that she’s still being terribly whitewashed in her appearances –a lesson the X-books have not learned even after the Monet St. Croix coloring fiasco mere weeks ago. There’s a stark difference between the Alani that shows up in Way of X and the one from New X-Men (2004) who was visibly darker-skinned.

'Way of X' #1 provides insight into very important questions

Image Credit: Marvel Comics

This cannot keep happening to the X-Men’s characters of color.

If you enjoyed X-Men: Legacy, you’ll absolutely enjoy Way of X. And if you’ve been interested in the more philosophical elements of Krakoa, this title gives you all the food you wanted and more. Way of X‘s first issue might just be the most exciting installment in the Krakoa era in a long time, and Si Spurrier and Bob Quinn are the perfect duo to provide this book.