In this review of DNX #1, Cyclops leads the assault on 3K to prevent the release of the X-Virus. Meanwhile, Beast and Reed Richards debate the ethics of restoring Magneto’s powers.
DNX #1
Written by: Jed MacKay
Art: Federico Vicentini
Main Cover: Kaare Andrews
Variant Covers: Kaaree Andrews, Chip Zdarsky, Jim Lee, Federico Vicentini, Marco Checchetto, Ken Lashley, Stanley Lau, Ryan Stegman, Fanyang, Jeehyung Lee, John Tyler Christopher, Chris Giarrusso, Leinil Francis Yu, Skottie Young, Puppeteer Lee
Page Count: 31 pages
Release Date: September 16, 2026
This review contains spoilers
Jed MacKay’s DNX #1, the long-awaited crossover event between the Fantastic Four and Cyclops’ Alaskan X Men, is here. The team arrives in Philadelphia to stop Chairman Hank McCoy and 3K from releasing the X-Virus. Hoping to prevent the tragic death of humanity as Scott and Hank witnessed in the future Age of Revelation, they ready themselves to stop one of the original five X-Men.
3K reaches Philadelphia amidst has an internal argument. Cassandra Nova and Astra think the bold plan is foolish, but Chairman Beast trusts it’ll come to pass due to the future he’s seen. Their toast is interrupted by the X-Men raiding 3K’s ship, with Cyclops orchestrating their takedown and stating he’s prepared for them.
In a different city in the north, New York’s Baxter Building holds Magneto’s incapacitated body. Chairman Beast had viciously attacked him in X-Men #36. Beast (a non-evil clone of McCoy, not chairman Beast) asks Mr. Fantastic to heal Max and return his powers. The two have a philosophical debate about whether or not it’s okay to restore Magneto.
Reed has an outcome-based approach, believing if Magneto turns evil again and harms humans, the blood will be on Reed’s hands. Even if it feels like the right thing to do, the logical fear of Magneto’s reversion keeps Reed from following through.
Sue overhears and joins the conversation. The Invisible Woman tells her husband she knows he wants to, and is confident in her powers’ ability to stop Magneto if he reverts. Beast adds that Magneto’s genetic code contains a key to avoiding the virus, adding stakes to his revival.
Meanwhile, Chairman Beast yells at 3K for not trusting him. He’s interrupted by the arrival of the Human Torch and The Thing, coming to back up the X-Men.
Analysis
Despite it being a crossover, the only member of the 4 that’s prominently featured in DNX #1 is Mr. Fantastic. However, it’s acceptable because he’s used in a very interesting manner. The same heart over logic idea that was beautifully done by Ryan North in the 16th installment of his latest Fantastic Four series is subtly rehashed here. It’s without the same level of depth, but the debate between him and Hank is well-done.
Reed is the same guy who believed the law was absolute and breaking it was wrong in Civil War. He was worried about the consequences in a world where superheroes set the precedent to behave against the law. It’s understandable to see him against bringing Magneto back. At one point, he compares the once-monstrous Magneto to a weapon, to which Beast and Ben Liu retaliate that he’s a person. Truly, the conversation is the highlight of the issue.
The philosophical debate is a good way to set the tone, since the series will focus on the philosophical differences between two of the original five X-Men. Both Cyclops and Beast were tutored by Xavier, but now on two very different sides of the fence.
On the topic of McCoy, I like the juxtaposition of Beast and Chairman Beast scenes. They have similar cadences, showing that they are the same person, but differ massively in personality. It highlights how experiences shape a person, as despite their resemblance, they couldn’t be further apart due to everything Chairman Beast went through.
That also falls back onto Magneto. His discriminatory experiences are what killed the heart he once had for humanity. His further experiences with the oppressed swung him back on the pendulum, and who knows there they’ll swing him to next.
Final Thoughts
A good tone-setter, DNX #1 kicks off Marvel’s other big crossover event of the year by diving into philosophical debate. Alongside it comes a strong showcase of the X-Men’s powers, as they engage the villainous 3K.
