With the Shadows of Tomorrow looming and From the Ashes fading into the rearview, a new era of X-Men is officially upon us. This coming Wednesday sees the arrival of X-Men #23 and Wolverine #14, but before we embrace the new status quo, we need to take stock of where we’ve been.
Let’s look back at the highs and lows of the past year to determine which X-titles truly stood out. For this retrospective, we’ll be ranking every X-Men series that debuted or concluded during 2025.
KPB Comics Presents: Ranking Every Major 2025 X-Men Series
#10. Phoenix by Stephanie Phillips, Alessandro Miracolo, Et al.
Phoenix has been a mixed experiment since its launch in 2025. While the premise was brimming with promise, Phoenix never quite met the potential it had over the course of 2025. The sheer possibilities seemed endless, but felt strangely limited by a more traditional superhero narrative. But while the series has its flaws, it stands out in an X-Men line that has favored the conventional over the original.
Phoenix is original in many respects, even if it hews pretty closely to the overall superhero storytelling format, rather than something bolder, like Ram V and Evan Cagle’s excellent New Gods over at DC. Phoenix takes place in the underused Marvel cosmos, brought back villains such as Perrikus who had seen major disuse, featured one of the strongest fight scenes in an X-Men comic since From the Ashes began (with Gorr the God-Butcher), and has attempted to do unique things with Phoenix as a character, such as focusing on why rampant use of these awesome powers comes with a cost.
However, it wasn’t always consistent, and Phoenix #15 ends on a somewhat unsatisfying note. Still, there’s plenty of potential there, and the gorgeous covers by Yasmine Putri and then Lucas Werneck guarantee it’ll look good on your shelf.
#9. Mystique by Declan Shalvey and Matt Hollingsworth
Mystique began in 2024 but ran through to February 2025 and thus barely qualifies. Written and drawn by Declan Shalvey, with colors by Matt Hollingsworth, Mystique is one of those rare Big 2 comics that showcases a near-complete artistic experience, all from one hand. Shalvey’s Mystique is an excellent take on the character, fitting the mold of a spy thriller with a character who is the ultimate spy.
Shalvey, best known for Moon Knight, shines in the action sequences, where his violent and kinetic style absolutely soars with Mystique. The writing and narrative are entertaining and easy to follow as well, with Mystique occupying a refreshingly morally grey role despite being the protagonist. It’s well worth the read and one of the best mini-series the X-Office has put out over the last 5 years.
#8. Cable: Love and Chrome by David Pepose, Mike Henderson, and Arif Prianto
David Pepose tells a Cable love story in a tight five issues, and it’s surprisingly good and refreshing. The premise isn’t wholly unique; there have been stories across media about time travelers having to reckon with the deaths of those they love and struggling to use their powers to change that; however, it works well here, and no character is more fitting for the trope than Cable.
The usually stern and stoic soldier is given a softer side, even while his gruff exterior shines. Capably drawn by Mike Henderson, Cable: Love and Chrome is as much of a romance as it is an action series and serves as a reminder that Marvel would do well to greenlight more series with this balance in mind.
#7. Magik by Ashley Allen, German Peralta, Athur Hesli w/Matt Horak
Perhaps the strongest solo title released so far, Magik is a fun quest featuring one of the breakout stars of the X-Men in her first truly solo ongoing. Brought to the page by Ashley Allen and featuring strong art by German Peralta and Matt Horak (complemented by Arthur Hesli’s lovely, paint-like colors), Magik succeeds by doing the simple things well. The series effectively builds a rogues’ gallery with two major villains in the first ten issues, weaves in thoughtful callbacks to past foes, and establishes a solid supporting cast through the Society of the Eternal Dawn, Cal, and Magik’s close friend and fellow New Mutant, Dani Moonstar. It is the balance of doing all these essential things well that helps Magik feel like a strong foothold for future adventures.
#6. Sentinels by Alex Paknadel, Justin Mason, and Federico Blee
Alex Paknadel is an exciting hire by the X-Office. In addition to a strong showing in the X-Men: From the Ashes Infinity comics (where his work on the Beast-focused story “Pygmalion” and the Cyclops and Phoenix-focused story “Eversong” stood out in particular), Sentinels was the writer’s first printed work with Marvel and represents a strong debut.
With a daring premise and cast, Sentinels stands out for focusing on truly original characters, ones who have not been seen before. It was a risk, but one well worth taking, as Paknadel explores the lives of these angry, violent, and desperate people: individuals who are so shaped by tragedy and misfortune, and whose ire is redirected by menacing, cruel people. Sentinels shows how the plight of people can be manipulated by malicious actors into causing acts of hate, and how these people become part of the machinery of evil systems.
Justin Mason’s art is gnarly and unique, with a grittiness and roughness that suits the comic and stands out among the more sanitized look of other Marvel comics. It’s a standout read and one well worth checking out.
#5. Exceptional X-Men by Eve Ewing, Carmen Carnero, Et al.
Exceptional X-Men has pitched itself as the teaching book from the very beginning. Featuring and focusing on three brand new mutant characters, the series invokes Academy X, Generation X, and Young X-Men, with Eve Ewing’s characteristic depictions of the lives and habits of young people.
Exceptional X-Men succeeds through a very realistic portrayal of young people, with the central three new characters depicted in a way that feels authentic yet engaging. While the series sometimes missteps, such as poorly scripted action sequences and not utilizing the full team to their full potential (particularly Iceman), it is still a good read, particularly in the trade format it is now collected in or on Marvel Unlimited.
Carmen Carnero pulls off an impressive feat: 10 issues in a row, with assistance from a fill-in artist on only one of those. It’s a feat only matched by Bob Quinn of X-Factor for the new era, and Nolan Woodard enhances the art with a unique, bright coloring style.
#4. Giant-Size X-Men by Jackson Lanzing, Colin Kelly, Et al.
The Giant-Size X-Men series celebrates four event anniversaries from 2025, namely the 50th anniversary of Giant-Size X-Men by Len Wein and Dave Cockrum, which helped reinvent the X-Men and send them into what became a true golden era of the franchise. Other anniversaries celebrated include the Dark Phoenix Saga, with the 45th anniversary being celebrated in the Giant-Size Dark Phoenix Saga #1 issue in the series (a true standout and one of the best single issues of the From the Ashes era), the 30th anniversary of the Age of Apocalypse, and the 20th anniversary of House of M.
The series is a fun romp through time, revisiting these events and highlighting Kamala Khan’s growth as a mutant through meeting guiding figures, such as Cyclops, Jean Grey, Rogue, and Kitty Pryde. The finale is fun and features a satisfying payoff for the antagonist. Artistically, it is a showcase of some excellent artists, with Rod Reis and C.F. Villa in particular standing out.
#3. X-Men by Jed MacKay, Ryan Stegman, J.P. Mayer, Et al.
X-Men serves as the flagship of the era, standing out even among fellow titles like Uncanny X-Men and Exceptional X-Men by dictating the broader mutant landscape and setting the tone for the threats the world faces. Jed MacKay’s core strengths lie in building multilayered narratives and teasing major events to come. He has established a robust gallery of villains (including 3K, Sugar Man, the Upstarts, and the Hellions) while alluding to broader threats like Locus Vile and those who seek to use Cyclops as a hostage against Phoenix.
If there is a weakness in the title, it involves the actual payoff to these stories. Much of the first 22 issues have been spent building these threats rather than fully resolving them. Additionally, MacKay’s voice for Cyclops feels somewhat shaky; it focuses on his capable leadership but offers little interiority for the character. He is much stronger at writing Beast, however, who has become one of the most exciting characters of the entire era, thanks to MacKay’s narrative twists. MacKay also excels with characters such as Ben Liu, Jen Starkey, and Juggernaut.
Ryan Stegman shines in action sequences and synergizes effectively with his main fill-in artist, Netho Diaz. X-Men is well worth a read, even if the homages to mid-2000s titles can occasionally feel a bit overbearing.
#2. Uncanny X-Men by Gail Simone, David Marquez, Et al.
It is Gail Simone’s Uncanny X-Men who take the lead, however, with her Louisiana-based X-Men team blending the best of a classic roster of characters with four brand new characters. Gail Simone’s signature accomplishment has been in making this blend feel seamless; the Outliers truly feel like they belong in the X-Men comics, and that’s no small feat in a franchise full of abandoned next-generation characters.
David Marquez stands equal to her with brilliant artistic work that showcases the X-Men both as superheroes and as the human beings they are. Matthew Wilson’s phenomenal coloring work enhances his excellent visual style.
Uncanny X-Men sometimes missteps with crossovers and ideas that seem more fun than they are in execution, but at its heart remains an optimistic, hopeful story that blends the new with the old in a stylish, entertaining flourish.
#1. Ultimate X-Men by Peach Momoko
Nowhere in Marvel is there as singular an artistic experience as there is with Ultimate X-Men. Written, drawn, and colored by one remarkable talent, Peach Momoko stands out as a truly genius of concept and design, with imagination that astounds and a visual flair that always captures the eye.
Ultimate X-Men has been one of the most refreshing takes on the X-Men ever, with an almost entirely new team featuring analogues of the main continuity X-Men. At the heart of Ultimate X-Men is the struggle of young people in a world that does not care about them, does not protect them, does not provide for them, and squanders their opportunities and potential.
The Ultimate X-Men stand out as a group of oddities and young women who have finally had enough and have found hope and resilience in one another. It’s an inspiring and artistically gorgeous X-Men story, and you won’t find another like it in all the annals of X-Men.
