Exceptional X-Men #3

The artists really captured the beauty and terror of Emma Frost's powers throughout Exceptional X-Men #3. From her diamond skin, to her hallucinations she can make others see, it was really great to see it all showcased in such a real way. I think the artists really made you feel the X-Men energy in each panel, while making this more specific of a story for Kate Pryde and Emma Frost. Hats off to the artists! Read Full Review

The storys a slow burn, but the new characters are being developed, and we get to be reintroduced to Kitty in this post Krakoan era. Its nice to see a grown up Kitty who genuinely wants to reach out to the younger generation, and show them that their lives dont have to become soldiers in this unending war for mutant survival. Emmas addition to the mix seems to indicate that is about to change. Either way, Ewing and Carnero are going to be giving us an absolutely gorgeous book. Read Full Review

With its small, tightknit cast and lack of missions/fight for the sake of fights, Exceptional X-Men is a breath of fresh air in the mutant/superhero space. Read Full Review

Exceptional X-Men #3 delivers a satisfying mix of heartfelt character dynamics, genuine conflict, and compelling teenage mutant drama, all anchored by Eve L. Ewing's sharp writing and Carmen Carenro's expressive art. The nuanced relationship between Kitty Pryde and Emma Frost provides a strong emotional core, while the new mutants bring authenticity and energy to the story. Read Full Review

Exception X-Men #3 is the issue that gives this series an identity of its own. There's a bit too much going on in this issue, but that doesn't impact its bigger themes. Read Full Review

Exceptional X-Men #3 continues to lean into a YA version of the New Mutants with mean girl cat fights, teenagers who talk like they live on Twitter, and a complete lack of drama or urgency. Carmen Carnero's art is excellent, and Eve Ewing's plot is predictably moving toward where you expect it to go, but this issue is soft in every sense of the word. Read Full Review

Criminology.

Nov 21, 2024

So much to love here really, but what shines through the most is the characterization(honestly I don't know when was the last time I read a kitty I enjoyed so much) and just how much this series has space to breathe and not be concerned with battles and big issues. Obviously Uncanny is way more refined, but still is something, that I can read and never be tired of, also because I feel like it takes its time in a way a lot of the comics that come from the Big 2 don't. I like the snappy nature of the dialogue, it feels mostly genuine, and it fits the lower stakes, it may come as cliche sometimes, or like too much, but it's like when it starts tipping its toes in those water, it pulls them out and for the important moments, it works really well. This issue actually used the snappy nature of the dialogue with the plot when better both with comedic intent and also surprises to shake the pages, but again not with too much to stray away from what this book is. Again it's like it tips its toes in a more aggressive territory and it's immediately back to slice of life/ the endless afternoon. But again it all works because the dialogue and the characters act so well together. There are small phrases, that indicate the characters in a very clear way, borderline too clear, but they are sprinkled between a lot of dialogue, that feel natural for people who have been through what those have been through, so they are never too much. This way it's not really hard to analyze what the characters think or feel, both are kinda intertwined, but again very clearly. I am a pretty young guy and because of my job I'm in a lot of contact with a lot of kids, especially teens, so I find the portrayal here to be quite accurate to a lot of those harmless, kinda random kids I meet, that kinda are this figuring out how to communicate. Those are lost kids, they are not really strong and like Kitty Pryde in the 80s, they feel vulnerable.But even now, part of the reason why Kitty is so compelling to me is because she is vulnerable. The comics let her not make her mind and even when made her mind, she is still not sure what exactly she is doing and this goes great with the chiller vibe, because the kids are also without much ideas about what they wanna do. Definitely, the art gives a very strong helping hand, with those expressions soft but very clear expressions and specific body language and a more brownish color scheme bringing a lot of comfort. The pacing is also something I love. It's slow, but it does not feel as such. Again because the characters are both well-defined and are interesting, they are just interesting personalities and their clashes are also like that. I also like that especially in this issue we get to see a character's identity and how this character sees themself be affected by his mutation, which again is quite claremontian or morissonian(?)(their ideas are extension of Claremont's anyway). It's a triumph for Eve Ewing to have so many ideas about what she wants out of the characters and to infuse the comics with so much personality especially so much of Kitty's personality and the whole idea behind her existence. So even tho we've seen Kate in similar position, to me it feels like progress, or at least interesting steps more

NostalgiaKills

Nov 21, 2024

This book is a delightful slice of life, even if it's a rather exceptional life. Kate and Emma were pirate queens of an intergalactic trade organization and two of the leaders of an island paradise of super-powered immortals. The plummet into the mundane to unpack the trauma of losing that life is such a surprisingly fantastic approach that gives us something quiet and introspective as compared to the rest of the line and particularly the other two core books which aren't nearly as grounded or character-driven. I dreaded the return to mundanity when this book was announced, but Kate going from a life of unlimited resources and adventures across spacetime to sharing an apartment with a childhood friend while bartending really resonates. Whi le we've seen her do something like this before, it didn't have the emotional weight and tragedy that is does here. I'm so in love with the story and the cast, particularly Bronze. Don't get me started on the art which so perfectly suits the tone. more

derbycomics

Nov 23, 2024

Emma Frost has arrived! I was a little worried this issue was going to only revolve around a showdown between Kate/Emma based on previews, but darn it Eve L. Ewing knew exactly what she was doing! This series has been chock full of character development so far and that continued here as Ewing quickly pivoted from the tussle between these two former Marauders to more character progression for the entire cast. Axo, Bronze, and Melee are an exciting new trio — their interactions together are adorable! I loved Bronze being the one to come up with their nicknames and her drawings put a huge smile on face. It’s also so cute to see how much they already look up to Kate. Speaking of Kate, Ewing is doing a phenomenal job balancing her moments of hesitation about training young mutants for combat and rising to the occasion as the ideal teacher/mentor. Kate has literally been fighting for mutants for so much of her life that it makes complete sense as to why she is so torn in her current position. On the other hand, Emma completely deserves to take a few victory laps after what shes been through recently. She has never quite gotten the credit she deserves so a bit of tough love seems appropriate. Also, would she really be Emma Frost if she weren’t just the right amount of sass? I feel bad for whatever villain crosses this mutant quintet once they’re fully prepared and that’s all thanks to how much work Ewing is doing to build such a solid foundation. Visually, Carmen Carnero has quickly established herself as a top-tier X-Men artist. Her characters look like they’re straight out of a design sketchbook, plus she’s able to evoke so much emotion out of facial expressions (the panel of Bronze smiling in the mirror made me stop and stare) and body language even for characters who aren’t the main focus of a panel. Nolan Woodward’s colors elevate Carnero’s designs even higher. The icy blues he used for Emma’s eyes, outfit, and makeup, and then for Iceman were chillingly (pun very much intended) gorgeous. We may not yet be knee-deep in action like other From the Ashes books are right now, but I’m totally happy with these slow-burn, stellar characters moments! Ewing, Carnero, and crew have my complete attention and trust. more

Screaming Enigma

Jan 12, 2025

I might be rating this a little high, but I enjoyed it. There are certain aspects I'm not the biggest fan of, such as Kate and Emma fighting and then, suddenly, being fine and going back to the former's apartment. However, I liked the training stuff here and I'm definitely interested to see how Iceman fits into this going forward.

Kenjamin

Feb 24, 2025

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

Chris Y

Nov 25, 2024

I found this issue a bit less annoying than the previous ones. However, it's still all about preaching identity politics and how not to be a bigot. The only thing I really like about this book is Carnero's art. She deserves a better book.

fthissite

Nov 20, 2024

The green emo kid really sums it up saying they were throwing hands then just....having a tea party. WTF? This book is all over the place with no real direction and some realllllly bad\cringe dialogue. Kitty really doesn't know it's Emma making them see red demons??? Really? She says Emma knows she can't get in her head RIGHT AFTER saying she was giving her blackouts in the last 2 issues!!!!! Again....WTF?! Just another YA style mutant book where nothing happens and the comic rots on the shelf. This is tied with NYX for worst relaunch title. Just awful.

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JBL Reviews - Nov 22, 2024

Lots of 10 ratings. I can't help but wonder what they think is so perfect about it.

fthissite - Nov 23, 2024 (edited)

IDK. Just different strokes for different folks I guess. A perfect 10 does seems high but maybe this is great YA/slice of life. Not my type of style for a superhero comic. I do see the 10's are giving 10's pretty much everywhere so most likely fluffing if they have nothing to say.

Smithd33 - Nov 25, 2024

Check the other reviews of the people who gave 10’s. They give out tens to everything. Makes it meaningless

Smithd33

Nov 25, 2024

Boring then it lost me at the pronoun exchange. No thanks. To YA for me.