Three artists join forces this week on X-Men Annual 2026 #1 to tell a unique story, with art itself being part of the story. Ryan Stegman writes this tale, with Steve Skroce as the main artist, and Stegman and Sanford Greene tagging in for specific pages. Mostly a fight comic, the issue is entertaining while fitting in within the current continuity, and even introducing a new mutant.
X-Men Annual 2026 #1 opens at the Haven House, where Wolverine, Gambit, Jubilee, and Nightcrawler are visited by Jean Grey. She’s been off-world for some time, but rushes back to Earth due to a psychic pull in her mind. She’s sensed an idea trying to manifest, and fairly quickly, we see a monster, drawn mostly as a sketch without color, bursting into their reality. In fact, the hand that is coming through is colored, revealing how whatever this beast is, it started as a sketch and is becoming more real in the 616 universe.
So begins a battle of the imagination and the mind, with Jean and Wolverine eventually taking the lead to stop the threat. Similar to the classic Looney Tunes “Duck Amuck,” Stegman plays with form and breaks the fourth wall. That makes this a unique and creative take on abilities in the universe, let alone mutant abilities. Throw in the fact that the artists are in this story as themselves, and it’s a lot of fun.
Skroce draws a great Jean.
Credit: Marvel
The visuals are also well done, with Stegman’s art in pencil and Skroce taking the lead on the main art, colored by Arthur Hesli. I can’t pinpoint what Greene draws, but it’s safe to say there isn’t an ugly or bad panel in this entire book. It looks good, is exciting, and the action feels intense in the moment. Jean, in particular, looks fabulous in her new suit.
The dialogue and plotting are also well done. Stegman is obviously known as an artist, but he’s clearly got the chops to keep the story moving. As far as annual tales, there’s enough here to entertain you for the price of admission, with the added bonus of a possible future mutant popping up somewhere. The story may not directly influence ongoing storylines, but for most annuals, that’s not the point. As an action comic first, the general story may feel a bit thin for some, but make no mistake, this is an art-forward tale.
X-Men Annual 2026 #1 is a bold, visually driven showcase that understands exactly what an annual should be: a playground. Ryan Stegman leans into the elasticity of comics as a medium, turning sketches into monsters and breaking the fourth wall in ways that feel playful rather than indulgent. Steve Skroce anchors the chaos with strong storytelling fundamentals, while the shifting artistic hands reinforce the theme that creation itself is the threat. The narrative may be light compared to a core series installment, but the confidence in execution and sheer visual fun make this an easy recommendation. It is a reminder that superhero comics can still surprise you when they let the art take center stage.
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