In this review of Exceptional X-Men #2, Kitty continues to try to live a normal life only to find life, and an old friend, have bigger plans in mind.
Exceptional X-Men #2
Written by: Eve L. Ewing
Art and Main Cover by: Carmen Carnero
Variant Covers: David Baldeón, Miguel Mercado, Terry Dodson
Page Count: 22 pages
Release Date: October 9, 2024
This review may contain spoilers
Despite the consistent trials experienced thus far, Exceptional X-Men is a good, fun book. Exceptional X-Men #2 continues that trend. Eve L. Ewing provides readers with a really good story that finds young mutants deal with life as it is while also coping with their newly manifested abilities. In issue #1, we were introduced to Trista Marshall. This issue readers are introduced to Alex Luna and Thao Tran. We’ve now been introduced to all the members of the team and they all couldn’t be any different from one another.
Last issue, we met Trista, who just wants to be accepted for who she is and have friends. Thao is a fighter. She has no problem fighting for mutants who can’t fight for themselves. She has phasing powers, but like all new mutants, doesn’t know how to control them. Alex, on the other hand, just wants to be left alone. An empath, Alex has colored skin, which makes it impossible to hide the fact that he is a mutant.
Then there’s the common denominator — Katherine “Kitty” Pryde. Since the From The Ashes storyline began after Krakoa’s fall, Ewing has presented us with a Kitty Pryde who wants nothing more than to live a life more as a homo sapien and less as homo superior. Yet through no fault of her own, she constantly find herself coming to the rescue of young mutants who don’t know how to control their newly manifested abilities. I think that by the time Ewing is done, we will see it was not coincidence at all.
For all that the Eve L. Ewing has produced with Kitty, the one I enjoy the most is Kitty breaking the fourth wall and speaking to us, the readers. It’s not a lot either. In issue #1, it was a few panels. In Exceptional X-Men #2, it’s only the first few pages. It’s just enough to get a laugh out of her getting ticket and Kitty introducing us to her date, Nina.
I truly like the grasp on Emma Frost that Ewing takes. She presents the long-time character in her usual manipulative way. She makes herself known quite early in Exceptional X-Men #2, spying on Kitty while she’s on her day date. She ultimately makes herself known to Kitty as the issue ends when the young trio goes to Kitty and when Kitty opens the door, Emma is walking away with them. It would not shock me if Ewing reveals that the White Queen moved all of the chess pieces and manipulated everything to place Trist, Alex, and Thao in front of Kitty.
Carmen Carnero’s art continues to be really good. If there is one thing I am not a fan of, it is her depiction of Kitty, which is quite different from other renditions. I’m sure it is something I’ll get used to, but as of now, it doesn’t sit well with me. The colors from Nolan Woodard is great. The palette hasn’t changed from the first issue to now. I hope this consistency remains for the entirety of the series.
Final Thoughts
Exceptional X-Men #2 continues its trend of being a serious, yet fun series. Kitty’s breaking of the fourth wall is an interesting idea, despite it not being a new concept. Ewing’s rendition of Emma Frost is exactly what I would expect from the character.
Editor’s Note: Marvel Comics provided The Comic Book Spot with an advanced copy of this comic for review purposes. You can find this comic and help support us in the process by ordering this issue digitally on Amazon or a physical copy of the title through Things From Another World.
