- Written by: Jed MacKay
- Art by: Netho Diaz, Sean Parson, JP Mayer, Livesay
- Colors by: Fer Sifuentes-Sujo
- Letters by: VC’s Clayton Cowles
- Cover art by: Ryan Stegman, Marte Gracia (cover A)
- Cover price: $4.99
- Release date: August 27, 2025
X-Men #21, by Marvel on 8/27/25, sends the leaderless X-Men into a rematch against the Upstarts. Meanwhile, Jennifer Starkey laments her place in the world as a new mutant.
First Impressions
This issue drops readers directly into character introspection before quickly pivoting to confrontational action. The immediate shift in focus from quiet dialogue to hunting villains establishes a brisk narrative pace, but the X-Men #21 feels more like tying up B-plots and treading water than a must-have chapter.
Recap
In X-Men #20, A new group of mutants called 3K aims to transform nonpowered humans into mutants to replace the X-Men. When Agent Lundqvist from the Office of National Emergency (ONE) got wind of this and discovered that the X-Men had been sheltering Ben Liu, one of 3K’s successful experiments, he confronted the X-Men’s leader, Cyclops. The confrontation turned into a brawl that landed Lundqvist and Cyclops in the local jail! 3K aren’t the only villainous group with a mutant obsession. The Upstarts, a group of mutant thrill-killers led by Trevor Fitzroy, are sponsored by Sugar Man–a mad genius who learned of 3K’s success in hacking the X-Gene and wants in on the secret…
Plot Analysis
The issue begins at The Factory in Merle, Alaska, where Kid Omega, also known as Quentin, confronts Jennifer Starkey. He notes her thoughts are too loud, disturbing his reading. Jennifer Starkey reveals her profound loneliness before becoming a mutant, feeling invisible and lacking impact on anyone in her life back in Detroit. She admits her first thought was to let the Upstarts kill her when they came for her.
Magik interrupts their conversation, announcing that she has found the Upstarts. Magik then rallies the available X-Men for a mission while Cyclops remains in jail. She reminds the team that he was in charge during their last encounter with the Upstarts, a mission he considers unfinished, meaning she remains in command for this new pursuit. He demands to know who is ready to confront the Upstarts.
The X-Men proceed to Sugarland, the Upstarts’ secret headquarters. Inside, Trevor Fitzroy reports to the Sugar Man on the status of his team’s operations. Fitzroy details how their hunt for X-Gene hacking experiments are proceeding, with some failures but promising successes in finding Sugar Man’s prize. The Upstarts continue their work, converting more humans into mutants while avoiding detection.
The X-Men initiate their assault on Sugarland. Magik leads the charge, while Juggernaut and Kid Omega engage various targets. The confrontation escalates quickly as the X-Men aim to dismantle the Upstarts’ operations and rescue any unwilling test subjects. The battle for Sugarland is in full swing by the issue’s end.
Detailed Review
Writing
Jed MacKay’s script focuses heavily on character development early on, particularly Jennifer Starkey’s backstory, which is delivered through dialogue with Kid Omega. The pacing accelerates rapidly as the mission to confront the Upstarts is initiated. Magik’s leadership is re-established with a clear directive, setting a no-nonsense tone for the operation. The dialogue flows naturally between characters, particularly in the initial exchange between Quentin and Starkey, and later when Magik addresses the team. The plot moves from introspection to direct action efficiently.
Art
Netho Diaz’s pencils, with inks by Sean Parsons, JP Mayer, and Livesay, deliver distinct character renderings. Starkey’s expressive eyes convey her internal struggles during her conversation with Kid Omega. The action sequences in Sugarland are dynamic, depicting the X-Men’s assault with clear panel progression. Fer Sifuentes-Sujo’s colors maintain a consistent mood, from the quieter factory setting to the more chaotic battleground. The visual storytelling complements the narrative, making it easy to follow the characters’ movements and emotional states.
Characters
The issue highlights Starkey’s emotional depth, revealing her feelings of isolation before joining the X-Men. Kid Omega offers an unexpected moment of empathy and encouragement, underscoring a developing dynamic between them. Magik is portrayed as a decisive leader, reclaiming command with confidence for the Upstarts mission, and she serves as a pragmatic and efficient strategist, locating the enemy and initiating the team’s next move. Trevor Fitzroy and Sugar Man operate as effective antagonists, their plans for mutant creation driving the central conflict.
Positives
The character exploration, especially Starkey’s monologue about her past loneliness and feelings of invisibility, adds a surprising emotional depth often missing in action-heavy comics. This moment provides genuine insight into her motivations and current allegiances, making her feel more substantial than a mere power set. The rapid shift from intimate character reflection to full-blown team engagement against the Upstarts showcases effective narrative control, keeping the reader engaged through varied pacing. Magik’s straightforward assertion of leadership also provides a refreshing clarity of purpose for the X-Men’s mission.
Negatives
The quick transition from Starkey’s emotional revelation to the action sequence feels somewhat abrupt, preventing the full impact of her backstory from lingering. While necessary for plot progression, the sudden shift could have benefited from a slightly smoother bridge. The Upstarts’ activities, specifically their hunt for X-Gene hacked humans, are described rather than fully shown in development, leaving some of the villain’s menace implied. The issue relies on established knowledge of the X-Men’s previous encounter with the Upstarts, which might leave new readers slightly out of the loop without the recap.
About The Reviewer: Gabriel Hernandez is the Publisher & EIC of ComicalOpinions.com, a comics review site dedicated to indie, small, and mid-sized publishers.Follow @ComicalOpinions on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter
Final Thoughts
X-Men #21 delivers a serviceable continuation of the ongoing Upstarts saga, offering a few compelling character beats amidst its action. While the emotional core of Jennifer Starkey’s past is a notable highlight, the narrative’s quick pivot to combat might feel rushed to some. The art remains a consistent strength, portraying characters and action with clarity, though the villains’ operational details could use more visual fleshing out. It’s a solid entry, but one that largely relies on previous installments to maintain its momentum, ultimately offering more of what fans expect rather than groundbreaking surprises.
7/10
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