Spinning out of the opening issue of Age of Revelation, Amazing X-Men has been exciting, excellently drawn, and a definitive Scott Summers story. In Amazing X-Men #2, the team ends up in Providence, Rhode Island, where Darkchild is the ruler. By her side is an agro Juggernaut, and everyone is tense and ready to fight. This issue also acts as the penultimate issue, making it a key turning point and an issue Cyclops fans can’t miss.
In the realm of sweet treats, Amazing X-Men #2 is a tasty crepe. It’s delicious, hits the spot when you’re in the mood, but it’s a tad thin. The entire issue is basically an extended fight with Darkchild, who has taken over for Magik and rules over humans, hoping for peace. There’s a price for protection, but at this stage, Cyclops doesn’t care. The X-Men need safe passage.
You can break this issue down into two parts. The first is the X-Men getting the bearings and learning about Darkchild, and the second is the battle of truths between Darkchild and Cyclops. That isn’t to say these scenes aren’t enough to satisfy readers, but it’s a quicker read and a more straightforward plot.
Glob is hardcore.
Credit: Marvel
The first part continues to show writer Jed MacKay excels at team books, giving characters something to say or add, even when there’s a clear, prominent character leading the story forward. From Glob’s nihilistic view on life to Schwartzchild showing he can fall in line and follow orders, there’s nuance to every character, making them fleshed out and interesting.
The second part is not a battle of fists and powers, but a battle of magical truth-telling. As expected, Darkchild is ruthless, while Cyclops is seemingly tepid and uninterested in fighting. Truth be told, Cyclops is a master tactician, and it’s interesting to see how he gains an edge and tries to guess what he’s up to. Mixed in with the battle are bigger reveals about the X-Men’s plan, which add even more stakes to this event and recontextualize Cyclops’ need to lead and do what’s right, no matter what.
The art by Mahmud Asrar is as good as ever, with Cyclops’ heroic bits of dialogue looking quite cool with his meaty visor. Cutaways to Darkchild are lustful and feature her demonic vibe, with excellent character acting throughout. When there’s a battle of truths, getting a bead on what they’re thinking is key. Colors by Matthew Wilson add a realistic, but toned-down look to the scenes, which helps make Darkchild’s red skin all the more striking. The fact that Cyclops wears a short red cape is quite telling that he’s the hero in all of this, and it’s rendered well by both artists.
Amazing X-Men #2 may be lean on story, but it’s loaded with style, character nuance, and thematic precision. Jed MacKay and Mahmud Asrar craft a tight, visually stunning showdown that frames Cyclops as both strategist and moral compass in a world on the brink. While its brevity keeps it from feeling like a meal, it’s still a perfectly cooked crepe of mutant heroism—layered, flavorful, and satisfying for any Cyclops fan.
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