ComicsMarvel ComicsExceptional X-Men #1 explained - Everything you need to know about Kitty Pryde and Emma Frost’s new mutant teamWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
ComicsMarvel ComicsExceptional X-Men #1 explained - Everything you need to know about Kitty Pryde and Emma Frost’s new mutant teamWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Marvel Comics)
And while Kitty’s trauma and reluctance as a result of Krakoa’s end have her keeping her distance from the X-Men, the plight of young mutants everywhere has her reconsidering what’s next - and another A-list mutant has her eyes on a renewed future for mutants that puts Kitty front-and-center.
Spoilers ahead for Exceptional X-Men #1
(Image credit: Marvel Comics)
This mutant turns out to be the previously revealed new recruit Bronze, whose skin becomes metal and creates lashing whips as weapons - though for now she’s still simply Trista Marshall, as her X-Men training has yet to begin.
Kitty intervenes to help Trista escape the security guards who give chase after she uses her powers to defend herself, using her phasing abilities to get them both to safety before giving Trista a ride home. As Kitty gets ready for work the next day, she receives a gift from Trista thanking her for her help, putting the first cracks in the shell Kitty has put around herself to insulate herself from X-Men business.
Meanwhile, as Kitty tries to get back to immersing herself in working way too hard, another mutant is scanning the minds of all her possible mutant allies in the vicinity - Emma Frost, who is living in the lap of luxury in a hotel. As Emma chooses not to psychically contact several other X-Men in the area, she decides to make contact with Kitty, apparently with the intent of recruiting her into a new team.
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(Image credit: Marvel Comics)
We know that this will form the basis of the Exceptional X-Men team, with Emma and Kitty training several young recruits including Trista/Bronze. But there’s also one more surprise cast member who is revealed in the last pages of Exceptional X-Men #1: Iceman, who is shown boarding a plane to Chicago.
So far, Exceptional X-Men may be the most subdued of the new X-Men flagship titles, focusing more on the idea of training and recruiting young mutants who are still being introduced to the title. But it also puts a light directly on what the concept of the so-called “mutant metaphor” means in a post-Krakoa world.
(Image credit: Marvel Comics)
Meanwhile, Carmen Carnero and Nolan Woodward’s art strikes a strong balance between the youthful energy of Trista and her environment against Kitty Pryde’s world-weariness, setting up Kitty’s place as a mentor to Trista while the younger mutant helps revitalize Kitty’s own sense of purpose in her community.
Exceptional X-Men #1 may be a bit slower start thanX-Men #1orUncanny X-Men #1, but the issue’s ‘handle with care’ approach to Kitty Pryde’s recovery and the new place of mutants in the Marvel Universe may in fact be setting the title up as the most thoughtful and emotional comic of the new X-Men line - qualities that the X-Men soap opera thrives on.
Exceptional X-Men #2 goes on sale October 9.
Stay up to date on all thenew X-Men comicsMarvel has planned for release.
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GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands"5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”
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GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS
1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1
Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
2
Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
3
Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
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Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
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Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
1
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
2
Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
3
Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4
The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
5
Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
1
Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
2
Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
3
Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
4
Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”
5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”
5
Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”