This fall X (Ten) of Swords will be coming our way, but until that happens, we get to
enjoy and prepare for the huge mutant Marvel event by perusing and reading a bunch of new
X-Men related comics tied to Jonathan Hickman’s relaunch known as Dawn of X. Leading up to
Dawn of X was House and Powers of X, two joint series that explained just how we got to the
beginning of Dawn of X and the mutant nation of Krakoa, where all mutants are welcome,
no matter who they are, where they’re from or what they did before.
As long as they love mutants.
Actually they don’t even have to love mutants.
They just have to agree to a few laws which apply to the entire mutant population of the
nation and show up.
In this new world that Hickman and this creative team have created there are tons of amazing
new series to check out.
But if you’re just diving in, you might be wondering which ones to prioritize.
Where do you start?
What should you read first?
What is the best of the best?
Don’t panic.
Don’t worry.
We’ve got you.
Welcome back, nerd squad.
Today one top 10 nerd we are going to be taking a look at some of the greatest comics to come
out of Dawn of X thus far.
And there a lot.
So although we were only able to list 10 here, know that almost everything Dawn of X is worth
your money and time, these are just our top picks.
As always be sure to stick around till the end of this list where I will have some bonus
content coming your way in the form of some honourable mentions.
Now, let’s get counting.
10 Excalibur
Excalibur is known for being one of the more complex ones.
It’s more recommended for those fans who have a better sense of X-Men and mutant history.
Those who have that foundation will likely enjoy the slower but sure boil of this plot,
which ramps up more steadily in comparison to some of the other newer titles.
Excalibur is filled with magic and whimsy, featuring some of your favourite but often
underrated characters like Jubilee, Gambit and of course Betty Braddock who takes up
the mantle of Captain Britain mixed in with the standard powerhouses of Apocalypse and
Rogue.
Though really popular or not, this entire team is an epic and strong one.
The art and colours have been described as both flashy, clean and vibrant, helping to
keep the through line of each issue clearer for readers.
Tini Howard writes, while Marcus To and Wilton Santos are responsible for the series art
and Erick Arcineiga (Arse-in-neigh-ih-ga) is on colours.
9 Hellions
What can I say about Hellions?
It’s just a really fun time.
It’s sort of like the X-Men’s version of the Suicide Squad this time around and
features a very odd ragtag crew who are all not great at playing nice, with each other
or anyone for that matter.
With Psylocke as the teams reluctant leader slash handler, Mister Sinister taking on the
role of Suicide Squad’s Amanda Waller, and Madelyne Pryor, aka the Goblin Queen stepping
in as the teams first insanely powerful adversary this series is shaping up to be quite the
rollercoaster ride or action, mayhem and chaos.
You’ll want to keep your hands and feet inside all at times by the way, you won’t
like it if Wild Child’s claws get hold of them.
Art for Hellions is by Stephan Segovia with colours by David Curiel and writing by Zeb
Wells.
8 Giant Size X-Men: Nightcrawler
Goodness, these Giant Sizes have all been so interesting so far, with Nightcrawler being
perhaps one of the strangest yet.
Though I wouldn’t be surprised if Fantomex’s giant size later ends up topping it for weirdness
factor.
Nightcrawler is sent to investigate some mysterious going ons at the X-Mansion which has been
abandoned.
This issue has a sort Stranger Things, slash sci-fi detective type vibe to it that is really
fun and features odd mishmash characters that all really play off each other in a very entertaining
way.
You can also tell with this issue that these Giant Sizes are giving us info that is definitely
going to play into something much larger later down the road.
Hickman is building to something with these stories and I don’t think you’ll want
to miss it.
Giant size Nightcrawler features art by Alan Davis with colours by Carlos Lopez.
7 Cable
While young Cable usually isn’t the more preferred between him and older Cable, he’s
the Cable we have right now.
And if there’s anyone who could make you fall in love with him and brilliant, usually
big-action scenes, it’s artist and colourist Phil Noto and his partner in crime, writer
Gerry Duggan.
Cable only had its first issue release to rave reviews, even by reviewers who like myself
prefer OG older gruff Cable to the younger one.
Not only is Cable stunning thus far but it’s entertaining and a great read, especially
for those who are just jumping in.
It’s fun and different.
The first issue also ends with a cliffhanger that I won’t spoil but that will definitely
leave you desperate to get your hands on issue two.
So if you’re picking up one, you might want to pick up issue two at the same time, if
you’re shopping on or after July 29th, which is when issue 2 is set to release.
6 X-Men
What is so great about this X-Men run and this entire relaunch really is both the acknowledgement
of both growth for mutant kind as well as mutant history.
It’s this acknowledgement that really sets the tone for the series and makes it a fun
one to read, especially if you are a long time fan of X-Men.
There are lots of little things, bits of dialogue, that take you back to moments you read and
loved.
It also acknowledges not just the good but the bad and some of the more ridiculous moments
we’ve seen members of the X-Men have.
The series also introduces new standout and creative villains, like Horedecultre.
A group of old ladies who are brilliant and powerful botanists who end up kicking the
X-Men’s butt.
X-Men is written by Jonathan Hickman with a variety of artist and colourists involved,
including RB Silva and Marte Gracia (Marrr-te Gra-see-ah).
5 X-Force
One thing I’ve really enjoyed with a lot of the series is the new team lineups.
And X-Force is another series and team that doesn’t disappoint when it comes to giving
us what we know but adding a fun twist with it’s roster.
This X-Force team is officially founded in issue 3 of the series and has been described
by the Quiet Council as the mutant nation of Krakoa’s CIA equivalent--but also, mutant
organizations shouldn’t be compared to human organizations!
Except that they did, for a moment.
The team is assembled and later solidified following the assasination and resurrection
of Professor X and it’s primary members are Domino, Wolverine, and then it gets a
little interesting with Sage, Jean Grey, Best and Kid Omega also being on the team.
X-Force is written by Benjamin Percy with a variety of talented artists and colourists
involved.
4 Wolverine
Most Wolverine series have been known for having solid writing and engaging storylines
and this newest series featuring everyone’s favourite underdog is no exception.
Not only is the artwork electric and vibrant with Adam Kubert on pencils and ink and Frank
Martin doing colours, but the stories are also compelling.
The first issue is comes with a b-side story featuring vampires which was just super exciting
but the main story has more of a thriller, murder mystery type feel to it, with Wolverine
teaming up with CIA agent, Jeff Bannister to find out who behind the Flower Cartel,
responsible smuggling Krakoan flowers and turning them into a powerful hallucinogenic
drug.
Writing for all the above is accredited to Benjamin Percy in this series.
3 Giant Size X-Men: Jean Grey and Emma Frost
This is probably going to be considered one of the most beautiful comics of the year,
despite the fact that it came out in 2020 so this is one I would recommend everyone
pick up.
Just because it’s so beautiful.
If you can, get your hands on a physical copy.
Personal opinion, I love digital comics but with something this stunning, it’s better
viewed on paper.
The story is mostly told through imagery and involves Jean Grey and Emma Frost being forced
to team up in order to try and help fellow mutant, Ororo Munroe, aka Storm, who is unwell.
They must venture into her mind in order to try and diagnose just what is wrong with their
fellow colleague, Jean’s best friend and Emma’s sometime enemy.
Our main man behind Dawn of X, Jonathan Hickman is the writer behind this issue and all of
the other Giant Size X-Men issues.
With art by Russel Dauterman and colours by one the best colorists in the biz right now,
Matthew Wilson.
2 New Mutants
Since their early days, the New Mutants team has always been known as being one of the
weirdest and most bizarre when it came to their members and the hijinks they usually
got involved with.
And I’m happy to say that this new series stays true to that feeling, with each issue
internally being as brilliantly weird and trippy as it’s external cover.
New Mutants is an adrenaline filled joyride where all the rules are meant to be broken.
So if you’re ready to get weird, then this is the series for you.
Writing credits go to Jonathan Hickman earlier on in the series who has since passed on the
torch to Ed Brisson starting with issue 8.
With art and colours originally by Rod Reis (Reece), before Marco Failla (Fi-ee-la) and
later Flaviano Armentaro took up ink and pencils and Carlos Lopez took up colours beginning
in issue 8.
1 Marauders
If you only end up getting into a single series from Dawn of X right now.
If that, for some reason, is all you're willing to commit to, I would encourage you to pick
up Marauders above all else.
I would also encourage you to check out House and Powers of X, if you haven’t yet as well,
just so you kinda get some background on what’s happening.
But even if you don’t do that, Marauders is still a must read.
And still a comic I think you can just jump right into, without too much exposition really
needed.
The series is about a new team of Marauders.
No, not the former evil team that you are familiar with if you are a long time X-Men
fan.
This is Kitty Pryde, currently Kate Pryde’s team of basically mutant pirates who work
for the interests of Krakoa with the Hellfire Trading Company to bring freedom to the oppressed
mutants of the world.
Thus far Marauders has been a thrilling and cheeky page-turner of an adventure.
With a variety of amazing artists, including Matteo Lolli and Mario Del Pennino and Gerry
Duggan in the writer’s seat.
Thank you so much for watching, nerd squad.
Are you reading anything from the Dawn of X line right now?
What is your favourite new X-Men related comic?
Or are you more focused on Empyre and what’s going on with that Marvel event currently?
Let us know in the comments below.
For honourable mentions I wanted to acknowledge Fallen Angels, which is a mini-comic series
featuring Kwannon who ends up permanently taking on the name Psylocke and focuses on
her finding her own sense of self, as she is now; separate but informed by both her
past and her weird and intense connection to Betsy Braddock.
All while attempting to seek revenge after losing someone from her past and teaming up
with X-23 and young Cable to do so.
And I wanted to get everyone hyped for X-Factor, which is set to release July 29th and is basically
a mutant detective team that will be featuring one of my favourite mutant usually C-lister,
Eye Boy!
This series will also be written by Leah Williams.
Yay!
If you love all things mutant, be sure to show that love, by giving this video a thumbs
up and smashing that subscribe, if you haven’t already.
This has been top 10 nerd and I’m your host, Amanda McKnight, reminding you to stay nerdy,
YouTube.