Exceptional X-Men (2024) #1 is a beautiful book in both art and writing, with a genuine heart and growing towards something crazier. Read Full Review

Based on previous solicits Exceptional X-Men is going to introduce more new characters in the future. It is safe to assume that Kitty will become a de facto leader of a group of new characters, combining her leadership from the Krakoa era, and her time as Head Mistress of Xaviers School. If as much care is taken with the new characters as is done with Trista here, then Exceptional X-Men will become a must-read book. Read Full Review

An excellent character driven script from Eve Ewing combined with beautiful, vibrantly colored and superbly lettered art from Carnero, Woodward and Sabino make EXCEPTIONAL X-MEN #1 an exceptional debut issue that continue to explore various facets of the fall of Krakoa and it's effects on fan favorites asd they struggle find their way in a world that hates and fears them more than ever. Read Full Review

Kate Pyrdes past haunts her present in a solid addition to the ever-growing X line. Ewings writing builds on her search for a new normal while jumping back into what she does best: help others and kick ass. The art from Carnero, Woodard and Sabino set the stage for the next generation of X-Men to take off. The title fits the story: It was Exceptional. Read Full Review

Carnero delivers wonderful art throughout the issue. The visuals are stunning and I love the vibrant visual style to the characters. Read Full Review

Spending its time on establishing grounded characters and a delightful tone, Exceptional X-Men #1 promises a great addition to the long line of Young X-Men series. Read Full Review

Exceptional X-Men #1 is an interesting voice in the X line of comics and it should be intriguing to see how it builds from this issue. It has a clear viewpoint of events from Kitty and also a sense of torn duty many individuals feel in their lives. Though it may be fantastical, it still is grounded in a way that makes it easy to connect to. Out of all of the "From the Ashes launches so far, Exceptional X-Men #1 has the most potential to shine. Read Full Review

Really good introductory issue that uses its time nicely to establish the status quo of Kitty Pryde, our main character, while setting up the story and characters going forward. I enjoy character-focused comics. Read Full Review

Things are off to a good start with Exceptional X-Men #1. It will be good to see how well Eve Ewing provides her voice to the history of Kitty Pryde and this new team she will help lead. Read Full Review

Exceptional X-Men #1 is not the worst or the best new X-title out of the From the Ashes era. Eve L. Ewing's turn on an X-Men title gives you all you need to know about Kitty Pryde's whereabouts with lots of emotion and introspection. That said, the issue lacks wow moments, the one action scene feels forced, and this first issue tells you almost nothing about where this series is headed or why it exists in the first place. Read Full Review

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.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.

@carmencarneroart’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!
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Excellent world building and writing, it did a good job describing and showing Kitty's state of mind given the things she had to do fighting Orchis while trying to function in normal society. The new character seems interesting as well, not entirely unique in powers or personality but an interesting combination of the two. The art was also pretty good. Very good, grounded first issue and I can't wait to see where it goes from here.

Bonus points for the amazing art.

A super solid start for the last of the three "X-Men" series for From the Ashes. I really liked the way Ewing handled Kitty's character here, and I think it has the potential to be one of the stronger aspects of this run going forward. Speaking of characters, I'm interested to see more of Bronze, and I'm intrigued to see how Emma will fit into this. Oh yeah, and Carnero's art was really nice throughout.

Art: 4/5
Story: 3.5/5
Total: 7.5/10

I'm wondering if all the glowing reviewers actually read all the dialogue in this issue because the tone is all over the place. Cutesy-wootsy one minute, skirting serious depression the next. And despite Kitty being written pretty well, overall this was a boring opening issue to the new series.

A brand new X-Men number one should be pulling out all the stops to grab and hook readers. Aside from the very good art, the only interesting part of this issue was that app on the final page.

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JBL Reviews - Sep 7, 2024

I think it’s mostly that it fits into the fanfic world so many of them want in the X-Men these days, so as long as those elements were there, they were going to rate it high. I mean, I can’t fault them for liking what they like, but it’s not for me.

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Did I see a different book than everyone? Art is ok, plot is meh. Nothing inspiring in this one. This wont last.

Uncanny>X-Men>>Exceptional. Easily.

If this is what came from the ashes call the crematorium and tell them you got got a turd in your urn.