Exceptional X-Men #2

Exceptional X-Men #2 is another home run issue, further showing that this teen-focused X-Men book has all the DNA of classic X-Men greatness. Read Full Review

Exceptional X-Men #2 continues its trend of being a serious, yet fun series. Kitty's breaking of the fourth wall is an interesting idea, despite it not being a new concept. Ewing's rendition of Emma Frost is exactly what I would expect from the character. Read Full Review

I found Exceptional X-Men #2 to be a pretty fun read that added great new characters to the story. Alex and Thao seem to have a lot of depth in their characters and I look forward to learning more about them. It's interesting to see Kate want to have this normal and relatable life, while being one of the strongest mutants. Of course, we know that that just isn't feasible for Kate, but it's nice to see her try. I think the writing perfectly illustrates just how badly she wants a normal life and how frustrated she is that she keeps getting pulled back into mutant problems. Read Full Review

Carnero delivers beautiful art throughout the issue. The imagery is brilliantly detailed and perfectly captures the lighter tone of the story and its characters. Read Full Review

The personal, character-focus of this series is a real standout amidst the other X-books, making Exceptional X-Team truly exceptional. Read Full Review

Eve Ewing and Carmen Carnero's Exceptional X-Men continues to be a delightful slice of life title (Cubs and White Sox fans arguing at the bar Kitty Pryde works at, cute dates at soccer games), but is starting to shape up into a proper X-title with the introduction of two additional young mutants. Read Full Review

I like the central theme of Kitty versus Emma for the souls of the next generation of mutants, but the pacing feels somewhat sluggish. Read Full Review

Exceptional X-Men #2 is a slow, boring, and sometimes uncomfortable chapter in the series. Eve Ewing may be too successful in showing Kitty's attempt to live a mundane life, while Carmen Carnero's art is much better than it has a right to be for the script. Read Full Review

Jawnyblaze

Oct 10, 2024

Another fantastic issue that feels perfectly at home in an X-Men catalog while still being fresh and new. Kitty vs Emma is a classic conflict and having these new, young mutants kinda falling into Kitty's lap is an entertaining way to drive the story, as opposed to the typical "seeking out new mutants to mentor" path they usually take. The writing has been impeccable and the art has been pretty good. I like all three of the new characters, with the chatty girl from #1 being my favorite so far probably (their names haven't stuck with me yet). The athlete from issue #2 is a little annoying, but a common character trope and a good character while the moody dude who just wants to be left alone is another common character trope but his personality matches his [apparent] power set. When other peoples' emotions and problems are constantly bombarding you, of course it gets tiresome. I very much look forward to seeing where they go next, and if there will be any more new mutants. Is Emma building a new Hellions team? Issue #2's mutants seem to fit the type, though the chatty girl doesn't so much. I'm intrigued. more

derbycomics

Oct 12, 2024

I'm completely hooked on Exceptional X-Men, and issue #2 only solidifies my love for this series! Eve L. Ewing and Carmen Carnero are crafting a captivating, street-level X-Men story that's quickly becoming one of my favorite “From the Ashes” titles. At the heart of this series is Kate Pryde, who Ewing expertly writes as a complex and deeply human character struggling to come to terms with the traumas she experienced throughout Krakoa. Her begrudging attitude toward mentoring is a sad reminder of the scars she’s carrying after everything we went through. Ewing conveys Kate's inner turmoil, but ultimately lets her natural inclination to help those in need shine thought. I also loved the additional story beat featuring Kate’s date and frustration with getting a parking ticket. It's a beautiful portrayal of a character who's flawed and resilient. But Kate's not the only star of the show – the introduction of Axo and Melee, and the continued presence of Bronze is absolute perfection! Their interactions later in the book are adorable, and their unique personalities shine through in when they start discussing their connections. I'm thrilled to see this generation of new mutants getting the spotlight, and I'm convinced they'll have a long and exciting shelf life. Between this trio and the Outliers in Gail Simone's Uncanny X-Men, the future for new mutants X-Men universe is looking more promising than ever! Carmen Carnero's artwork is a huge part of what makes this series so special. Her facial designs and body language bring the characters' emotions to life, adding even more depth and nuance to Ewing’s story. The details in every panel are meticulously crafted, from the characters' appearances to the environments they inhabit. Overall, Exceptional X-Men #2 is a delightful, character-driven issue that continues to set the stage for a new group dynamic. With its focus on slice-of-life storytelling and its cast of lovable, complex characters, this series is becoming a must-read. The final page brings Emma’s role in the series even closer to the forefront and the early previews for the next issue indicate we’re about to see the dramatic events of Kate and Emma’s reunion. more

Screaming Enigma

Jan 10, 2025

I didn't find this as engaging as the first issue, but I still liked it for what it was. I'm glad we finally got the two other new characters shown on the main cover of the first issue, and I'm interested enough in them, especially the one who changes colors (I don't remember getting a name yet). Yeah, all things considered, I liked this. What I don't really get is people complaining about "woke identity crap" in an X-Men comic. If you're complaining about "wokeness" in an X-Men comic, that makes me think you either don't understand the X-Men, or you've just never read an X-Men comic before in the first place.

DabidK

Oct 10, 2024

This second issue is my jumping off point for this title. Compared with groups of burgeoning mutants rom New Mutants to Young X-Men to Generation Hope, the young mutants in this book feel like the dullest and most caricature-ish batch to date. With an almost infinite number of existing teenage mutants to pick from, creating yet more needlessly feels derivative—especially with how flat this assortment is. As much as I love Kate Pryde and Emma Frost, this book feels too juvenile and too played-out to retain its spot in my pull list.

Kenjamin

Dec 10, 2024

Art: 3.5/5 Story: 3/5 Total: 6.5/10

fthissite

Oct 10, 2024

Can we get some X stories this decade that aren't victim culture vehicles. Fighting bigotry has a big place in X-men of course but it feels like this has become the easy go-to (not to mention often blown out of proportion) overused trope we see too much and this series seems to be making it the central theme. Just too much too often and it gets stale. I guess this is supposed to be Shadowcat, I refuse to call her Kate, being the reluctant, modern day, bartender prof X helping mutant kids but it's marketed as a team book with the X-men name. This feels like a bad CW version of a New Mutants book. I think this title is an argument for way too many X books released at the beginning of from the ashes. So far the emotion\empath color changin g mutant is the only thing I kinda like. more

Chris Y

Nov 25, 2024

Woke identity crap disguised as an X-Men comic. At least the art is solid.