In this review of NYX #6, scan your tickets, nab some merch, and find your seats – the show’s about to begin! So long as the NYX team can save the day in time…
NYX #6
Written by: Collin Kelly & Jackson Lanzing
Art by: Michael Shelfer
Main Cover by: Sara Pichelli
Variant Cover: Elizabeth Torque, Frany Kinden Nixon
Page Count: 32 pages
Release Date: December 4, 2024
NYX #6 is a special crossover, as the cast of NYX, in need of reprieve, gets a chance to unwind at the Dazzler concert. But there’s no rest for the weary! Local, a mutant with the power to manipulate the electrical grid, slips into the arena with the intent of co-opting the live feed for his boss, Mojo, a slimy villain who feeds on attention. Kamala Khan, Sophie Cuckoo, Prodigy, and Anolé – plus a secret new addition to the team – plead with Local to rethink his actions… or else!
Tying up the first five issues in a bow, writers Collin Kelly & Jackson Lanzing are laying the groundwork for what’s next. It appears Mojo, the mind-controlling energy vampire, is the next big threat (as hinted at back in issue #2). Mojo’s powerset seems uniquely capable of draining the spirit of phone-addled young adults, as any screen can become a vessel of his abilities. Dark deeds are in the works, and surely the NYX team hasn’t seen the last of him!
Dazzler concerts in the current Marvel run have been a terrific fixture, adding texture to the larger X-Universe. Dazzler’s crew is made up entirely of mutants – like Multiple Man, who works every single security checkpoint and merch table, or Strong Guy, who can simply pick up the stage when it’s time to load out. Characteristically jovial, the concert is heaven for Kamala Khan, who has already made enough friendship bracelets to share. The Swiftian influences are thinly veiled; it pays homage to a titan of the zeitgeist and hopefully draws new readers of an underserved age and gender demographic. It remains to be seen if the crossover will entice more young fans to either series – NYX or Dazzler.
NYX #6 features the work of artist Michael Shelfer, new to the series. Together with colorist Raúl Angulo, Shelfer brings a digital watercolor style that augments the NYX palette without upstaging it. Characterized by expressive eyes and upturned noses, his work maintains the playfulness of Francesco Mortarino’s pen.
A fun romp in an exciting setting, but little more; what NYX #6 lacks in substance, it makes up for in style. As Kelly and Lanzing introduce new heroes and returning villains, NYX can only hope to aim higher and swing harder! Rating 7.0
