- Written by: Jed MacKay
- Art by: Tony Daniel, Mark Morales
- Colors by: Fer Sifuentes-Sujo
- Letters by: VC’s Clayton Cowles
- Cover art by: Tony Daniel, Mark Morales, Fer Sifuentes-Sujo (cover A)
- Cover price: $5.99
- Release date: February 18, 2026
X-Men #25 (Marvel, 2/18/26): Writer Jed MacKay and artist Tony Daniel deftly juggle X-Men fieldwork with 3K intrigue as Cyclops leads the hunt for Doug Ramsey amid escalating threats, shifting into intense skirmish mode against mutant supremacists. Unevenly executed with masterful action visuals but heavy-handed messaging, Verdict: For die-hard fans only.
First Impressions
The issue bursts open with raw, visceral energy as Juggernaut rampantly demolishes Nazi vehicles in the desert, instantly hooking you with unbridled chaos that feels brilliantly kinetic and true to his unstoppable nature. Tony Daniel’s sharply inked destruction panels deliver an immediate gut punch of excitement, making the high-stakes brawl pop off the page in gloriously destructive fashion. Yet, that thrill quickly tempers as political speeches and stalled searches creep in, leaving a lingering sense of frustration amid the otherwise sharply delivered spectacle.
The packaging shines through from the first splash, with Fer Sifuentes-Sujo’s moody desert tones perfectly enhancing the tense Arizona showdown, creating a vividly immersive atmosphere right away. Cyclops’ tactical poise radiates confidently, pulling you into the team’s dynamic rhythm effortlessly. Still, the nagging absence of Doug Ramsey progress nags like an unresolved cliffhanger, diluting the initial adrenaline rush with pointedly unsubtle undertones.
Recap
The issue continues directly from X-Men #24, where the Chairman returned to 3K after his future jaunt, decisively executing a traitor and unveiling stolen knowledge of Doug Ramsey’s X-virus formula to unify the group under his vision of mutant dominance.
Plot Analysis (SPOILERS)
Cyclops briefs the X-Men on the Age of Revelation crisis, stressing the urgent need to locate Doug Ramsey before he evolves into the apocalyptic Revelation. Doug’s failed assassination has driven him underground, possibly with the Morlocks in Rio Verde, Arizona, prompting the team to mobilize swiftly. Meanwhile, Beast uncovers a chilling twist: Magneto’s resurrection-linked degeneration syndrome never occurred in that future, hinting at retrocausal interference from future events.
En route to Rio Verde, the X-Men encounter Fenris neo-Nazis preaching twisted mutant-human unity under “white mutant” supremacy, targeting Morlocks as tainted squatters. Juggernaut unleashes devastating fury, smashing their convoy with truck-sized force while Cyclops, Magik, and Psylocke dispatch foes in a flurry of optic blasts, swords, and telekinetic strikes. The von Struckers, Andreas and Andrea, intervene with psychic energy assaults, sharpening the chaotic melee into a brutal standoff.
Post-battle, Crimson Commando – now ONE’s mutant director Frank Bohannan – arrives with forces, claiming credit alongside the X-Men for a press spectacle. He preaches strict rules for mutants as “guests” in America, proposing deputization while thinly veiling authoritarian control. Cyclops rebuffs the ploy sharply, warning of bigger stakes in saving the world from Revelation.
In Alaska, Beast contacts 3K using Wyre’s card, decoding their “Make More Mutants” ethos and confronting the Chairman – revealed as his future self – in a tense revelation that blurs timelines further.
Writing
Jed MacKay paces the issue with electrifying precision during action beats, letting dialogue snap authentically amid the frenzy as Psylocke and Magik banter competitively over blade sharpness. The structure flows seamlessly from briefing to brawl to bureaucratic clash, building thematic depth around mutant identity tensions without ever dragging. However, the persistent lack of Doug Ramsey advancement stalls core momentum frustratingly, forcing reliance on side skirmishes that, while sharply scripted, sideline the central Revelation threat.
MacKay weaves interpersonal sparks brilliantly, like Cyclops’ defiant standoff with Bohannan, where terse exchanges crackle with authority and wit. Yet, heavy-handed political messaging undermines subtlety; Fenris speeches ramble didactically, hammering “white mutant” ideology so overtly it feels like a lecture shoehorned into drama. The Alaska twist lands cleverly, but overall, dialogue authenticity dips when exposition prioritizes preaching over propulsion.
Art
Tony Daniel and Mark Morales compose layouts with masterful clarity, guiding the eye fluidly through Juggernaut’s rampage via dynamic angles that amplify his colossal scale against puny foes. Character acting shines vividly in expressions -Cyclops’ visor-glowering resolve, Magik’s smirking bravado – while Fer Sifuentes-Sujo’s sun-baked oranges and reds evoke Arizona’s harsh mood, heightening combat intensity. Inks flow sharply, with debris and energy blasts rendered kinetically to make every punch land viscerally.
Visual storytelling synergizes perfectly in the press conference, where Bohannan’s arm around Cyclops composes a falsely chummy frame that screams tension through body language alone. Color theory builds unease masterfully, shifting to cooler blues for psychic assaults and stark whites for Fenris purity rants, mirroring thematic pollution. Panel flow remains impeccably readable, even in chaotic multi-character clashes, proving the team’s execution elevates the page-turning thrill.
Character Development
Cyclops anchors motivations consistently as tactical linchpin, his world-saving drive clashing relatably with Bohannan’s jingoism, revealing layered leadership under pressure. Juggernaut’s brutal glee stays true to his unstoppable core, blending raw power with team loyalty for gritty relatability. Bohannan evolves from WWII hero to manipulative director convincingly, his smug patriotism feeling authentically slimy and consistent.
Originality & Concept Execution
The mutant Nazi clash refreshes Fenris ideology with “white mutant” twists, executing the premise sharply through visceral action that ties into broader mutant-human divides. Revelation prevention feels freshly urgent with retrocausality hints, delivering timeline stakes without retreading tropes lazily. Yet, Doug’s stalled search hampers premise payoff, rendering the hunt mode more procedural than revolutionary.
Pros and Cons
What We Loved
- Brilliantly kinetic Juggernaut rampage shreds convoy dynamically.
- Sharply inked action panels flow with explosive clarity.
- Masterful desert color tonality amplifies tense skirmishes.
Room for Improvement
- No Doug Ramsey progress halts central plot momentum.
- Heavy-handed Fenris speeches preach unsubtly.
- Revelation threat recedes behind side distractions.
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): 3.5/4
Value (Originality & Entertainment): 1/2
Final Verdict
X-Men #25 packs thrilling action and art into a globe-spanning mutant melee, but the fruitless Doug Ramsey chase and thuddingly obvious political jabs sap its full potential as a series milestone. Does it claim a slot in your selective pull list? Only if you crave explosive brawls enough to overlook the narrative stall and sermonizing detours; casual readers might wait for the payoff.
7.5/10
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