“From the Ashes,” the latest era of X-Men comics, has certainly sparked debate among fans. Frequent comparisons to the “lost decade” of the 2010s post- Avengers vs. X-Men are often made, referencing a perceived lack of a unifying overarching story. However, this comparison is a bit unfair. While the X-Men’s direction after Avengers vs. X-Men had its flaws, it also produced genuinely good work, like Christina Strain’s Generation X. The “From the Ashes” era is every bit an improvement.
The creative teams are a major reason for this. Writers like Jed MacKay and Gail Simone are well-established names in the industry, and their primary artists, Ryan Stegman and David Marquez, are among Marvel’s best. Upcoming events like the Age of Revelation appear to be built around the X-Men, a welcome shift from the passive inclusion of X-Men characters in event comics that characterized the mid to late 2010s. While some may see a move toward safer stories compared to the ambitious Krakoa era, this style isn’t out of the norm for the franchise, echoing the post-New X-Men era of the mid-2000s or the comics of the ’90s.
A More Diverse X-Office
The “From the Ashes” era also marks a significant milestone for diversity within the X-Men office, perhaps even for Marvel Comics as a whole at its launch. For the first time, more women were writing X-Men titles than ever before. Additionally, writers like Eve Ewing, Geoffrey Thorne, Jason Loo, and Murewa Ayodele broke barriers for writers of color in the X-Office. This is a record worth celebrating.
These diverse creative teams have produced some truly excellent comics. Their good work has been overshadowed by a negative undertow that has lingered in the X-Men fandom, arguably since Jonathan Hickman’s Inferno and especially since the final Hellfire Gala.
To highlight that great work, here is our Top 10 Best X-Men issues since the “From the Ashes” launch.
10. NYX #8 by Colin Kelly, Jackson Lanzing & Francesco Mortarino
NYX launched with a premise as bold as any from the Krakoa era. Less focused on traditional superheroics and more on the daily lives of young people in a big city, it felt like the perfect story to tell with the X-Men. The mutant metaphor has always been at the heart of the franchise, and this book leaned into it without the typical X-Men team trappings.
NYX #8 zeroes in on a more personal story: the reunion of Laura Kinney and Julian Heller, or Hellion. Their relationship, which had been left unresolved since Marjorie Liu’s X-23 series, finally gets the closure fans have longed for. Laura’s career has soared, as she took on the mantle of Wolverine, while Julian faded into obscurity. Writers Colin Kelly and Jackson Lanzing perfectly capture this divergence. The issue is largely a conversation between the two, filled with emotional weight and beautifully aided by Francesco Mortarino’s artwork. It shows Julian at his darkest point, with Laura serving as either an avenger or a savior. In the end, they both choose hope. NYX is a great read for fans of the 2000s-era Academy X titles.
9. Phoenix #1 by Stephanie Phillips & Alessandro Miracolo
Phoenix #1 showcases the vast potential of its series, potential that may yet be fully realized in 2026. Given 30 pages instead of the usual 20, writer Stephanie Phillips and artist Alessandro Miracolo make the most of the space. Jean Grey, as the Phoenix, blazes through the cosmos, a symbol of both salvation and fear. Her cosmic power is both her greatest asset and her biggest liability.
The core of Phoenix #1 is this theme of immense power. Phillips tackles the age-old writing conundrum of a character who can functionally do anything by showing the risks and consequences of using that power. This provides a very realistic sense of constraint on her main character. Alessandro Miracolo’s artwork is his best work to date, with epic, towering flames and dynamic fight sequences. The sequence where Jean performs a ballet routine before a fight is particularly inspired. Phoenix #1 is a true highlight of the series.
8. Storm #2 by Murewa Ayodele & Lucas Werneck
Much like Phoenix, the Storm comic hasn’t quite met its full potential. The iconic Ororo Munroe, with her versatile powers and decades of incredible stories, has been somewhat lost in a narrative focused on a cosmic entity and possession. However, Storm #2 is a beautiful exception.
This issue provides a much-needed look into the heart of the character, making it the best in the series. Lucas Werneck’s artwork is exquisite, illustrating Storm at her most heroic and her most sorrowful with vivid colors by Alex Guimaraes. Murewa Ayodele’s story focuses on Storm’s impending demise, highlighting her heroic spirit even when all seems lost. It’s a grounded, personal story that cuts through the cosmic plot, touching on something real and emotional. This is where you see the true hero and warrior that Storm is, her best qualities brought to the forefront.
7. Wolverine #8 by Saladin Ahmed, Martin Coccolo & Daniel Warren Johnson
Wolverine #8 marks the character’s 400th issue, a monumental achievement, especially for a character best known for being on a team. This oversized issue is a true celebration, broken into three distinct stories.
The first two stories, by Saladin Ahmed and Martin Coccolo, wrap up an arc involving Adamantine and Wendigo before bringing back Arcade to menace Wolverine. This second part is more memorable, as Wolverine reveals that his old rivalries with Cyclops and fixations on Jean Grey have evolved into mutual respect and friendship. The main event, however, is a short story written and drawn by the masterful Daniel Warren Johnson.
This alternate universe “elseworlds” tale recasts Wolverine in a Japanese fable involving Yokai and his beloved Mariko. It’s a visual treat, brilliantly and quickly told, solidifying Johnson’s status as one of the most sought-after comic creators today. This issue is a perfect tribute to the character.
6. Exceptional X-Men #5 by Eve Ewing & Carmen Carnero
Exceptional X-Men had the tough task of launching a book with a main cast of mostly new mutants, mentored by Kitty Pryde, Emma Frost, and Bobby Drake. Each mentor brings a different philosophy, but the story primarily revolves around Kitty, who is wracked with guilt over her actions during the Fall of Krakoa.
Eve Ewing is a writer who excels at quiet, character-driven moments, and Exceptional X-Men #5 is a perfect example of her skill. It focuses on the reaction of Melee, a young student who idolizes Kitty, to the revelation of her hero’s violent past. Melee storms off, feeling her idol is a hypocrite. The issue is a mature, reflective look at the complexities of heroism and shame. Melee comes to understand that people sometimes do things they don’t want to for a cause they believe in. The issue ends on a note of reconciliation and understanding, with Carmen Carnero’s strong artwork and Nolan Woodard’s bright colors perfectly capturing the somber yet hopeful mood.
5. Uncanny X-Men #11 by Gail Simone & Javier Garron
The X-Manhunt crossover wasn’t as successful as it could have been, with its “1-2-3-4” format failing to create a consistent narrative flow. However, Uncanny X-Men #11, the event’s starting point, is a standout issue on its own.
Told primarily from the point of view of a detained Professor X, the issue follows his torturous imprisonment in Greymalkin, his former home. His poor health and the danger his daughter, Xandra Neramani, faces cause psychic “bleeds,” which affect the Greymalkin staff in devastating ways. Javier Garron and Matthew Wilson’s artwork perfectly depicts the tragic consequences of his loss of control. The issue uses powerful imagery, such as a haunting Sentinel family sequence and Xavier’s nightmares, to make you feel his plight. Despite the rest of the crossover not living up to it, Uncanny X-Men #11 is a strong issue in its own right.
4. From the Ashes: Pygmalion Part 3 by Alex Paknadel, Phillip Sevy & Diogenes Neves
This is a surprise entry from the under-discussed Marvel Unlimited Infinity comics. From the Ashes serves as a bridge between the end of the Krakoa era and the start of the new one. While the Eversong story by the same creative team was a strong contender for its feminist themes, Pygmalion just slightly edges it out.
The story provides the best Beast story in years, exploring a new, cloned version of the character who has been created to replace the increasingly villainous original. This new Beast meets a mutant who can mimic the appearance and memories of others, and the mimic quickly copies him. This forces Beast to confront his own potential for darkness, wondering if his turn to evil is inevitable. The story is a thoughtful exploration of second chances, blending tragic musings with moments of humor and levity. Pygmalion is proof that digital comics can be just as compelling as their print counterparts.
3. X-Men #10 by Jed MacKay & Netho Diaz
Following the Raid on Greymalkin, the X-Men are under siege at their Alaska fortress. With ONE at their doorstep and an army of Sentinels, a battle seems imminent. But the X-Men’s leader, Cyclops, has other plans.
Instead of an action sequence, X-Men #10 focuses on a conversation between Cyclops and ONE leader Lundqvist. Both are seasoned fighters and experienced leaders. Lundqvist has the advantage in numbers, but Cyclops makes his move, masterfully demonstrating why Lundqvist should back down. The word of the issue is “brinksmanship.”
Jed MacKay captures Cyclops as a brilliant strategist, revealing his preparations for this exact scenario. He details how he has deployed the Hellions, a team of rogue mutants, to sabotage government facilities and threatens to unleash even more chaos. When Lundqvist pulls a gun, Cyclops calmly reminds him of his wife and the revenge she’d seek. Faced with a devastatingly Pyrrhic victory, Lundqvist backs down. Jed MacKay, Netho Diaz, and Ser Fuentes-Sujo work perfectly together to bring incredible intensity to a simple conversation.
2. Giant-Size Dark Phoenix Saga #1 by Colin Kelly, Jackson Lanzing, & More
The Giant-Size series, which featured Kamala Khan, was a celebration of various X-Men milestones. While some fans mistakenly thought Kamala was being retconned into the X-Men’s past, she was simply a point-of-view character, learning lessons as she traveled through iconic stories.
Giant-Size Dark Phoenix Saga #1 celebrates the 45th anniversary of the legendary story. Written by Colin Kelly and Jackson Lanzing and illustrated by Rod Reis, this issue is a visual masterpiece. Reis’s watercolor style makes the book one of the most stunning of the year. The writing is solid, too, with the duo packing a lot of weight into a tight, 30-page story. The characterization of both Jean Grey and Kamala Khan is excellent, and the story effectively captures the essence of the original saga. The back-up story by Steve Foxe and Lucas Werneck is beautifully drawn and features some of the most romantic writing the X-Men line has seen in years.
1. Uncanny X-Men #16 by Gail Simone & David Marquez
The top issue of the “From the Ashes” era belongs to Uncanny X-Men, from the dynamic duo of Gail Simone and series artist David Marquez. When these two are on a book together, every story is elevated. Marquez’s visual style is among the best at Marvel, and Matthew Wilson’s colors complement his work wonderfully.
Uncanny X-Men #16 concludes the “Dark Artery” arc, in which Deathdream of the Outliers is drawn into a mysterious fissure in reality. The Outliers soon find themselves fighting for their lives as the X-Men race to their aid. The issue shines in its focus on the character moments between the Outliers: Calico and Jitter admitting their love, and Ransom stepping in as the big brother Deathdream has always needed. As demons emerge, the X-Men charge to the rescue in a visually cool and stylish sequence. Uncanny X-Men #16 is a story that blends mutant history with the self-discovery of young mutants. It truly gets to the heart of what the X-Men are all about: friendship, found family, blossoming love, and fighting demons.
What are your thoughts on the best issues from “From The Ashes”?
