- Written by: Jed MacKay
- Art by: Mahmud Asrar
- Colors by: Matthew Wilson
- Letters by: VC’s Clayton Cowles
- Cover art by: Mahmud Asrar, Matthew Wilson
- Cover price: $4.99
- Release date: November 5, 2025
Amazing X-Men #2, by Marvel on 11/5/25, charges into Limbo with the bravado of a stock pick moments before earnings call – either a buy or a burn, no take-backs.
First Impressions
From panel one, the mood is a sprint through a demonic factory where suffering pays overtime. No lazy setup here, just hellfire screen doors and witty, lethal banter. The opening pages let Cyclops and Beast fumble for resolve against loneliness and despair, offering the reader a punch of dread with just enough hope for returns. The concept – that Revelation’s regime is truly horrible and Limbo even worse – comes off as bracingly clear, never muddy.
Recap
Previously in Amazing X-Men #1: After the catastrophic X-Virus gene bomb, Doug Ramsey (Revelation) created a mutant nation where he silences dissenters by turning them into Babels: mute and powerless victims. Cyclops and Beast, sent from the past, lead a desperate mission against Revelation, suffering brutal losses, including Magneto, Forge, and Archangel at the claws of Wolverine, now Revelation’s brainwashed Angel of Death. Xorn’s self-sacrifice allowed Cyclops, Beast, Animalia, Glob, and Schwarzschild to escape, regrouping for their perilous push toward Philadelphia and the hope of ending Revelation’s reign.
Plot Analysis
The issue opens with the battered X-Men finding themselves in Providence, Rhode Island, Limbo’s industrial hellscape, ruled by Darkchild, Illyana’s demonic alter ego. Cyclops, Beast, Animalia, Glob, and Schwarzschild encounter Darkchild, who runs a suffering-brokered “company town,” its residents toiling endlessly under contracts rewarded only in misery. Psylocke and Juggernaut appear as Limbo’s strange enforcers, forcing the X-Men into a deadly deal. If they win a duel of hurtful truths, Darkchild will help them; if they lose, one must stay behind as her worker.
The contest is brutal. Cyclops and Darkchild trade sharp truths that cut deep, exposing guilt and painful failures. Glob and Animalia are wracked by Illyana’s fate, while Cyclops wrestles with the legacy of his own mistakes, framed not as melodrama but hard-earned regret. Beast, ever the tactician, mediates, as the X-Men must gather themselves and accept the ugly facts of their situation in order to move forward.
Darkchild ultimately accepts their challenge and Cyclops wins her reluctant respect, earning the team a portal toward their true target: Philadelphia, ground zero for their do-or-die mission against Revelation. The final page teases next issue’s all-out assault, promising alliances, betrayals, and the return of Apocalypse, plus more gut-punches than a Wall Street correction.
Writing
Jed Mackay’s script stays razor-focused on tension and momentum, rarely losing energy in the weeds. Dialogue lands with acidic wit and bruised honesty; characters argue, plot, and grieve without padding or purple prose, maintaining clarity even as the emotional stakes get savage. Pacing is breakneck and perfectly balanced. There’s little filler, and scene structure builds toward payoff, not endless setup.
Art
Mahmud Asrar’s art captures Limbo’s maniacal menace, grimly detailed with sharp lines and chaotic backgrounds that never overwhelm character action. Panel composition keeps conflict front and center, while Matthew Wilson’s color work underscores mood: cool tones for despair, scorching reds for violence and revelation. All central characters are visually distinct, making it easy to track emotion and intent through expressions and gestures.
Character Development
Cyclops is haunted but determined; his failures are laid bare, but he doesn’t flinch from responsibility or leadership. Beast complements Cyclops with practicality and skepticism, grounding the team amid chaos. Animalia and Glob’s reactions to Illyana’s fate feel authentic, adding pathos and stakes. Darkchild emerges as a fascinating anti-hero, with motives both cruel and necessary, never reduced to flat villainy.
Originality & Concept Execution
The core concept of a mutant diaspora under Revelation, with Limbo as a surreal hell feels freshly imagined, never a retread of classic dystopian tropes. The “duel of truths” structure is inventive and provides actual stakes, keeping characterization at the heart of the plot rather than dressing up empty spectacle. The execution? Mostly spot-on, with a few minor stalls in exposition, but always propelling the premise forward.
Positives
The standout is the tense, character-driven “duel of truths,” which elevates emotional stakes and showcases Cyclops as an imperfect hero worth rooting for. Asrar’s layouts and Wilson’s colors bring Limbo to life while keeping action clear, making every battle, argument, and twist pop. The plot’s momentum and sharp scripting mean readers get maximum payoff for attention. There’s no wasted investment here.
Negatives
Worldbuilding occasionally gets bogged down. Limbo’s mechanics and mutant politics are dumped fast, risking confusion for new readers. A few side characters (Juggernaut, Schwarzschild) remain thin, and the emotional cost of “company town misery” is more suggested than shown. The relentless pace sacrifices moments for reflection, and not all character motivations perfect clarity.
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
The Scorecard
Writing Quality (Clarity & Pacing): [3/4]
Art Quality (Execution & Synergy): [3/4]
Value (Originality & Entertainment): [2/2]
Final Verdict
Amazing X-Men #2 is a bullish bet for anyone seeking high-stakes mutant drama, bold art, and rollicking conflict. There’s teeth in every page, and very little wasted ink. It’s not the sleeper hit for long-term holders, but if you’re seeking a comic that justifies its premium, this issue earns its place on a curated pull list. Your entertainment dollar goes a long way if you’re ready for a challenge; for less adventurous investors, this may be too much volatility in one shot.
8/10
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