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Exceptional X-Men (2024) (Single Issues)
Exceptional X-Men (2024-) #1
KATE PRYDE LEADS A TEAM OF ALL-NEW X-MEN! After the fall of Krakoa, Kate Pryde is trying to get as far away from all things X as she possibly can. She's just a regular-degular bartender now. Definitely NOT getting ready to head up an ALL-NEW TEAM of wayward young mutants while avoiding the watchful gaze of Emma Frost. Nothing in this title but work, dating and staving off depression. That's it. No never-before-seen EXCEPTIONAL X-MEN to see here!
Kindle Edition
Published September 4, 2024
20 people are currently reading
36 people want to read
About the author
Eve L. Ewing
102 books1,216 followersDr. Eve Louise Ewing is a writer and a sociologist of education from Chicago. Ewing is a prolific writer across multiple genres. Her 2018 book Ghosts in the Schoolyard: Racism & School Closings on Chicago's South Side explores the relationship between the closing of public schools and the structural history of race and racism in Chicago's Bronzeville community.
Ewing's first collection of poetry, essays, and visual art, Electric Arches, was published by Haymarket Books in 2017. Her second collection, 1919, tells the story of the race riot that rocked Chicago in the summer of that year. Her first book for elementary readers, Maya and the Robot, is forthcoming in 2020 from Kokila, an imprint of Penguin Random House.
Her work has been published in many venues, including The New Yorker, The New York Times, The Atlantic, The Nation, The Washington Post, The New Republic, Poetry Magazine, and the anthology American Journal: Fifty Poems for Our Time, curated by Tracy K. Smith, Poet Laureate of the United States. With Nate Marshall, she co-wrote the play No Blue Memories: The Life of Gwendolyn Brooks, produced by Manual Cinema and commissioned by the Poetry Foundation. She also currently writes the Champions series for Marvel Comics and previously wrote the acclaimed Ironheart series, as well as other projects.
Ewing's first collection of poetry, essays, and visual art, Electric Arches, was published by Haymarket Books in 2017. Her second collection, 1919, tells the story of the race riot that rocked Chicago in the summer of that year. Her first book for elementary readers, Maya and the Robot, is forthcoming in 2020 from Kokila, an imprint of Penguin Random House.
Her work has been published in many venues, including The New Yorker, The New York Times, The Atlantic, The Nation, The Washington Post, The New Republic, Poetry Magazine, and the anthology American Journal: Fifty Poems for Our Time, curated by Tracy K. Smith, Poet Laureate of the United States. With Nate Marshall, she co-wrote the play No Blue Memories: The Life of Gwendolyn Brooks, produced by Manual Cinema and commissioned by the Poetry Foundation. She also currently writes the Champions series for Marvel Comics and previously wrote the acclaimed Ironheart series, as well as other projects.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
September 4, 2024
I’m so mad at Marvel for failing to give this title a proper marketing push! This was an Omega-level character story from Eve L Ewing. We got to see Kate (now going by Kitty again) dealing with her new place in the world, which included a be try open & frank discussion about mental health. Ewing navigated that topic w/ grace & provided everyone an example on how we can talk to people in our lives if we think something might be wrong. Not just great comic dialogue — a vital human lesson!
Ewing also does an awesome job introducing Bronze as one of the first of 3 new mutants we’ll meet in this series. The dynamic between Kitty/Bronze was excellent & it’s fascinating to watch Kitty act as a mentor after spending so much of her comic book history as the mentee. I loved the scene between Bronze & her grandma — if only we all had such a positive, encouraging force in our lives! Bronze is absolutely adorable & I can see her becoming a fan favorite for years to come.
Trauma is a theme I’ve noticed developing in several FTA books now: X-Men #3 introduced Scott’s issues, & NYX has now shown Kamala & Laura individually dealing w/ their own emotional weights. It can be easy to use trauma as a cheap hook, but so far these new X-writers have been using trauma to tell poignant narratives while be respectful to the individual characters.
Carmen Carnero’s art is simply stunning. Character designs are impeccable, background scenery is detailed & has depth, action panels are fluid, & the visuals for Kitty phasing through objects looked great. Add in Nolan Woodard’s colors & Travis Lanham’s lettering & you’ve got a visual delight on every page, no matter the scene.
I just can’t say enough great things about this book. Easily one of my favorite FTA issues so far & I really hope Marvel recognizes their mistake. Let’s get this book the major push it deserves!
Ewing also does an awesome job introducing Bronze as one of the first of 3 new mutants we’ll meet in this series. The dynamic between Kitty/Bronze was excellent & it’s fascinating to watch Kitty act as a mentor after spending so much of her comic book history as the mentee. I loved the scene between Bronze & her grandma — if only we all had such a positive, encouraging force in our lives! Bronze is absolutely adorable & I can see her becoming a fan favorite for years to come.
Trauma is a theme I’ve noticed developing in several FTA books now: X-Men #3 introduced Scott’s issues, & NYX has now shown Kamala & Laura individually dealing w/ their own emotional weights. It can be easy to use trauma as a cheap hook, but so far these new X-writers have been using trauma to tell poignant narratives while be respectful to the individual characters.
Carmen Carnero’s art is simply stunning. Character designs are impeccable, background scenery is detailed & has depth, action panels are fluid, & the visuals for Kitty phasing through objects looked great. Add in Nolan Woodard’s colors & Travis Lanham’s lettering & you’ve got a visual delight on every page, no matter the scene.
I just can’t say enough great things about this book. Easily one of my favorite FTA issues so far & I really hope Marvel recognizes their mistake. Let’s get this book the major push it deserves!
October 5, 2024
"KATE PRYDE". Sep 2024.
After Krakoa Kitty is working in a bar in Chicago trying to be totally non mutant...but that doesn't last long..as she helps a young troubled Mutant.
Apparently most of the talk around this is Kitty's variable sexuality and what this writer is going to do with that...
Who knows?
It's a pretty light story in more ways than one..but Emma Frost's involvement in this may liven things up.
After Krakoa Kitty is working in a bar in Chicago trying to be totally non mutant...but that doesn't last long..as she helps a young troubled Mutant.
Apparently most of the talk around this is Kitty's variable sexuality and what this writer is going to do with that...
Who knows?
It's a pretty light story in more ways than one..but Emma Frost's involvement in this may liven things up.
September 4, 2024
Looking forward to this title especially with Eve Ewing writing!
September 1, 2025
Yes, I am counting a single comic issue towards my reading goal since I'm so far behind and bought it with my own money.
2.5. A decent first issue. Nothing wowed me but there was nothing to really dislike either. I liked the glimpses of Kitty's mental state and trauma that she apparently gained from the last big event (idk I haven't read it yet). The art was good and characters were fine. My main problem with this isn't even specifically tied to this run but is instead what I would say the biggest issue with X-Men comics is. The incredibly large cast. Every decade a new generation of characters is introduced only to be immediately discarded in a few years. If you're lucky you might graduate to a b-tier character but most of them become glorified extras. It just makes it a little hard to invest when you know it won't matter by the time the next group rolls in.
2.5. A decent first issue. Nothing wowed me but there was nothing to really dislike either. I liked the glimpses of Kitty's mental state and trauma that she apparently gained from the last big event (idk I haven't read it yet). The art was good and characters were fine. My main problem with this isn't even specifically tied to this run but is instead what I would say the biggest issue with X-Men comics is. The incredibly large cast. Every decade a new generation of characters is introduced only to be immediately discarded in a few years. If you're lucky you might graduate to a b-tier character but most of them become glorified extras. It just makes it a little hard to invest when you know it won't matter by the time the next group rolls in.
September 7, 2024
LOVE Kitty's pov in this story, her internal conflict and seeing the world's hatred of mutantkind despite EVERYTHING was fascinating and I love it sm!! Trista is adorable, and I can't wait to meet the rest of the new kids! Also yayyy Kitty with her star of David necklace <333
September 5, 2024
Loved the art and the story even though I’m still learning more about the characters
November 21, 2024
I WANT MORE NOW. This feels like a promising start to a fun story filled with themes that hit even harder in a post-election 2024.
February 17, 2025
I don’t know what I was expecting when I started this series but I’ve been blown away by it! Kitty as a potential mentor/leader to the next generation of mutants is something I didn’t know I needed in my life. And seeing her struggle with mental health issues as a result of the fall of Krakoa and the things she had to do and become is just fantastic writing. Really makes her relatable, at least to me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 6, 2024
I was surprised by how good this comic was. It has a rather hyper-realistic but soft detailed style, reminiscent of the early Ms. Marvel series. And the story pulls you in as it goes, handling the PTSD and trauma Kathryn "Kitty" Pryde went through in the previous series. Kitty wants nothing to do with the world of superheroes, the X-men, Mutants - still reeling from what she became - seeking vengeance for the lives lost. In the Aftermath of Kraoka's demise - there's a group of highly traumatized characters that each book is addressing in different ways (with the possible exception of UnCanny). Here it is Kitty Pryde - who'd become a ninja assassin and is attempting to return to a normal life.
I don't know if this is easily accessible to new readers or not? Maybe? I've been reading the X-men off and on since the 1980s, so wouldn't know. I was pleasantly surprised by this issue - and how Ewing handles one of my favorite female characters, Kitty Pryde. It was relatable, and I fell in love with the character all over again.
The dialogue and writing are well done, and we have cell phones and social media referenced, more than in previous comics. Also unlike the previous run - it is far more character centric, and refreshing return to the characters interacting with people who aren't mutants, yet still friendly and kind. This is less speculative science fiction and more relatable character study.
I'm also pleased to see that the emphasis will be on the characters, and their interelationship drama, as opposed to the big sci-fi plot or convoluted world-building. Nor are we returning to superhero antics or taking down the monster of the week - the focus is definitely on human rights, being an outsider, bullying and prejudice as it always has been with the X-men.
I don't know if this is easily accessible to new readers or not? Maybe? I've been reading the X-men off and on since the 1980s, so wouldn't know. I was pleasantly surprised by this issue - and how Ewing handles one of my favorite female characters, Kitty Pryde. It was relatable, and I fell in love with the character all over again.
The dialogue and writing are well done, and we have cell phones and social media referenced, more than in previous comics. Also unlike the previous run - it is far more character centric, and refreshing return to the characters interacting with people who aren't mutants, yet still friendly and kind. This is less speculative science fiction and more relatable character study.
I'm also pleased to see that the emphasis will be on the characters, and their interelationship drama, as opposed to the big sci-fi plot or convoluted world-building. Nor are we returning to superhero antics or taking down the monster of the week - the focus is definitely on human rights, being an outsider, bullying and prejudice as it always has been with the X-men.
September 10, 2024
Exceptional X-Men #1 is a great introduction to Kitty's new life in Chicago and her supporting cast.
Eve L. Ewing's Kitty is relatable in her in her anxiety and human in her outlook on work, dates, and current events. Despite trying to live a quiet life she will still step up when needed which is the Kitty we all know and love.
Carmen Carnero's art is wonderful and certainly the most appealing from this new era so far. Her expressions, backgrounds, and character designs are exquisite and I'm looking forward to seeing other characters in her style.
All in all Exceptional X-Men #1 is easily the best introductory issue of the From the Ashes era so far and I hope Marvel keeps promoting it and people keep pulling it because it deserves to continue being an original and exciting ongoing.
Eve L. Ewing's Kitty is relatable in her in her anxiety and human in her outlook on work, dates, and current events. Despite trying to live a quiet life she will still step up when needed which is the Kitty we all know and love.
Carmen Carnero's art is wonderful and certainly the most appealing from this new era so far. Her expressions, backgrounds, and character designs are exquisite and I'm looking forward to seeing other characters in her style.
All in all Exceptional X-Men #1 is easily the best introductory issue of the From the Ashes era so far and I hope Marvel keeps promoting it and people keep pulling it because it deserves to continue being an original and exciting ongoing.
September 15, 2024
Misleading cover for a first issue that took me by surprise and was really good. I hope this run will take Kitty back to the character I once loved.
September 5, 2024
So, we're supposed to just relate to Kitty as she goes through her traumatized, anxious period, trying to hide away from her PTSD. And, yeah. I kind of can relate to that. But, along the way, we're dealing with some irritating bits.
This whole issue is about setting the scene for Kitty's new life. She is rooming with someone I don't recognize, named "Priti." She is working at a coffee shop. She is trying to be "normal." Her thought bubbles are a little confusing. Why is she thinking to herself, "What did I do with my life?" as if she doesn't think she has ever accomplished anything? She has saved the world. Several times. At least once, single-handedly. And if she wanted meaningful work, I'm sure she could have gotten it. Choosing to hole up at a coffee shop is an act of desperation. Or, attempting to just hide. Under the radar.
I'm particularly annoyed by the LGBTQ/queer/whatever angle. Kitty let the reader know that she was supposed to go on a date. Then, at the last minute, she uses a "she" pronoun about her date. So, we're supposed to think that Kitty is bi. For real, this time.
Technically, Kitty has never come out. Fans are all proud of the fact Chris Claremont said that he intended for Kitty to be bi. But, despite some intentions to pair Kitty with either Illyana Rasputina or Rachel Summers, she never ACTUALLY dated either of them. A couple years ago we saw Kitty inexplicably --and without consent-- kiss a female tattoo artist. The tattoo artist had not said anything about letting Kitty kiss her, and we don't even have proof that she was any kind of queer herself. After this random kiss, Kitty never spoke of it again. And we never heard from the --lightly assaulted-- tattoo artist ever again.
Was that supposed to be the coming out? Are we supposed to treat Kitty's queerness as just a fact now? Or, is this comment about her date being a "she" going to be all the coming-out that we're going to get?
This is like watching Xena. I saw in interviews that the show's writers admit there is no true coming out point for Xena and Gabrielle. Over the course of the show, their relationship just became more and more sapphic.
But I AM gay. And I LIKE coming out stories. I WANT the characters I have known for years to struggle through the same stuff I struggled through. I WANT the satisfaction of watching them come out to their parents. I WANT the joy from the sight of them being accepted, and I even want the realism of friends and family sometimes rejecting them. I WANT to see the homophobia, and I want to see characters actively fight it.
This new mutant girl is just too too. African-American, twee, and making it crystal clear how young she is with every line of dialogue spoken. I hate her dress. I hate the sunny earrings that she gifted to Kitty. I hate that she cried about the fact she was in a fight. I hate that she thinks crying in front of a stranger is worse than getting shot at by bigots. Just, overall, unimpressed. But maybe we're supposed to find it meaningful that her power is so similar to Colossus' (what with both characters developing metal skins), and Kitty almost married Colossus. Maybe Kitty is going to say that this girl reminds her of what she imagined her kids with Peter might be like.
The artwork is clean. I like this better than the art over in Adjectiveless right now. But, that might be all that I like.
Emma Frost's appearance at the end was unremarkable. We know that she is going to be in this book, but she contributed nothing to the story.
This whole issue is about setting the scene for Kitty's new life. She is rooming with someone I don't recognize, named "Priti." She is working at a coffee shop. She is trying to be "normal." Her thought bubbles are a little confusing. Why is she thinking to herself, "What did I do with my life?" as if she doesn't think she has ever accomplished anything? She has saved the world. Several times. At least once, single-handedly. And if she wanted meaningful work, I'm sure she could have gotten it. Choosing to hole up at a coffee shop is an act of desperation. Or, attempting to just hide. Under the radar.
I'm particularly annoyed by the LGBTQ/queer/whatever angle. Kitty let the reader know that she was supposed to go on a date. Then, at the last minute, she uses a "she" pronoun about her date. So, we're supposed to think that Kitty is bi. For real, this time.
Technically, Kitty has never come out. Fans are all proud of the fact Chris Claremont said that he intended for Kitty to be bi. But, despite some intentions to pair Kitty with either Illyana Rasputina or Rachel Summers, she never ACTUALLY dated either of them. A couple years ago we saw Kitty inexplicably --and without consent-- kiss a female tattoo artist. The tattoo artist had not said anything about letting Kitty kiss her, and we don't even have proof that she was any kind of queer herself. After this random kiss, Kitty never spoke of it again. And we never heard from the --lightly assaulted-- tattoo artist ever again.
Was that supposed to be the coming out? Are we supposed to treat Kitty's queerness as just a fact now? Or, is this comment about her date being a "she" going to be all the coming-out that we're going to get?
This is like watching Xena. I saw in interviews that the show's writers admit there is no true coming out point for Xena and Gabrielle. Over the course of the show, their relationship just became more and more sapphic.
But I AM gay. And I LIKE coming out stories. I WANT the characters I have known for years to struggle through the same stuff I struggled through. I WANT the satisfaction of watching them come out to their parents. I WANT the joy from the sight of them being accepted, and I even want the realism of friends and family sometimes rejecting them. I WANT to see the homophobia, and I want to see characters actively fight it.
This new mutant girl is just too too. African-American, twee, and making it crystal clear how young she is with every line of dialogue spoken. I hate her dress. I hate the sunny earrings that she gifted to Kitty. I hate that she cried about the fact she was in a fight. I hate that she thinks crying in front of a stranger is worse than getting shot at by bigots. Just, overall, unimpressed. But maybe we're supposed to find it meaningful that her power is so similar to Colossus' (what with both characters developing metal skins), and Kitty almost married Colossus. Maybe Kitty is going to say that this girl reminds her of what she imagined her kids with Peter might be like.
The artwork is clean. I like this better than the art over in Adjectiveless right now. But, that might be all that I like.
Emma Frost's appearance at the end was unremarkable. We know that she is going to be in this book, but she contributed nothing to the story.
October 23, 2024
Por supuesto que las mejores propuestas de este nuevo rumbo editorial mutante no están entre las dos principales dedicadas a mantener a los "cabezas de cartel" de la Patrulla-X en sus misiones hiper pijameras. Exceptional X-Men nos ha descubierto la situación de Kitty Pride. Una de las mutantes más queridas por los lectores y las propias historias de los X-Men al punto de ser hasta corsaria espacial... Pero actualmente ha decidido bajar por completo el perfil y actuar "normal". Profesión: camarera superada. Vivienda: Piso alquilado junto a una amiga de la infancia. ¿Situación sentimental? Plantada y a punto de tener que salvar la vida a una jovencísima mutante en una situación de estrés y descubrimiento de sus habilidades.
Esto es el número de presentación de Exceprtional X-Men y Eve Ewing no necesita mucho más para encandilarnos con un agradecida exposición íntima de este personaje que, evidentemente, seguro que cambiará con la "llamada" que irrumpe como cliffhanger y que inevitablemente derivará en una nueva formación mutante en este retorno al panorama de ostracismo nacional post-Krakoa.
Esto es el número de presentación de Exceprtional X-Men y Eve Ewing no necesita mucho más para encandilarnos con un agradecida exposición íntima de este personaje que, evidentemente, seguro que cambiará con la "llamada" que irrumpe como cliffhanger y que inevitablemente derivará en una nueva formación mutante en este retorno al panorama de ostracismo nacional post-Krakoa.
January 20, 2025
Genuinely embarrassed that I wasn’t familiar with Eve Ewing & Carmen Carnero because this wasn’t just the best of the X-Men relaunch (which took some wild, bold, and fun swings), it’s not just the Kitty Pryde in Chicago book, it’s one of the best first issues I’ve ever read. X-Men is the big bombastic super hero book, Uncanny is the on the run book, Exceptional the heart? This book is taking its time to make you care about why Kitty is hiding, and why these new kids need her help.
Also wonderful to be on issue five with the same creative team with no change.
Also wonderful to be on issue five with the same creative team with no change.
October 11, 2024
Un inicio que te deja con ganas de más. Una historia de superheroínas que te habla de temas de rabiosa actualidad: discursos ultra, discriminación a las minorías, la identidad...Y en medio de todo eso dos personajes femeninos potentes: Kitty Pride y Emma Frost. ¿Por qué no le pongo 5 estrellas? Porque no me gusta el diseño de Emma Frost. ¿A qué viene ese body de licra cut out? No tiene sentido más que para despertar el interés del fandom más baboso del mundo del cómic de superhéroes.
May 6, 2025
Some people might say this is a slow roll out of a team, and they're right and that's why I love it so much. Ewing and Carnero and delivering a well executed, well paced superhero story month after month. The new mutants are great. Kitty and Emma 'working together' is sublime, and I'm enjoying the distance this book is keeping from the other titles. It's had room and time to grow into it's own thing and I love it.
September 6, 2025
Good, solid first issue, I think this is gonna be pretty good. I've been a fan of Emma and Kate for a while now. They were center stage on Gerry Duggan's Marauders title, which was fantastic btw, and definitely one of the best things to come from the whole Krakoan era, in my opinion anyway. I'm several issues behind, but I'm looking forward to catching up on this series.
September 5, 2024
If you ever watched an episode of Supergirl you're used to stories like this about a depressed girl who decides to go out and ends up becoming a hero for someone else - without spoiling the details. It was a meaty adventure with well-developed characters and good art.
September 19, 2024
A wonderful introduction to a new X-Team after the fall of Krakoa. Great story and superb artwork by Carmen Carnero. I loved that this issue is just a standalone about the life of "Kitty" (She changed back to her original name) Pride. I'm looking forward to the next issue
September 5, 2024
It was a nice simple story about a woman trying to deal with the trauma that was her life. It felt like a one-shot and didn't make me eager to read the next one.
September 22, 2024
Not a fan of Kitty Pryde but this was good. Gorgeous art too. Excited for more.
September 28, 2024
I like this start so far.
October 17, 2024
Starting to get tired of first issues for team books that only feature a few members of the actual team. I get why it happens tho
October 23, 2024
So fun. Love seeing a Kitty Pride centric story.
November 1, 2024
Great starting point for a new story.
An experienced mutant looking out for a teenager just discovering who they are?
I'm here for it!
An experienced mutant looking out for a teenager just discovering who they are?
I'm here for it!
December 17, 2024
UGHHHHH I NEED TO CATCH UP!!!! Forgot Emma was an omega level.
January 31, 2025
4.5☆ :)
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews