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X-Men #14 (2022)
- Writer:
- Gerry Duggan
- Artist:
- C.F. Villa
- Letterer:
- VC's Clayton Cowles
- Cover Artist:
- Martin Coccolo, Jesus Aburtov
- Publisher:
- Marvel
- Price:
- $3.99
- Release Date:
- 2022-08-31
- Colorist:
- Matt Milla
Marvel's X-Men have their hands full. Judgment Day has arrived, and after dealing with the Eternals and summoning the Progenitor. Things are about to get even worse for the heroes now that aliens have dumped a flare generator on the Sun, which will cause a solar flare so great it will literally scorch the Earth.
Written by Gerry Duggan, drawn by C.F. Villa, with colors by Matt Milla and letters by VC's Clayton Cowles, X-Men #14 continues the Judgment Day arc with a twist. Tying in with A.X.E.: Judgment Day, the newest appointed band of X-Men -- Firestar, Iceman, Cyclops, Jean Grey, Magick, Synch, Force, and Havok -- must prove themselves by dealing with a last-minute threat to humanity amidst the chaos of Judgment Day. Luckily, one standout member has just the skills to cool things down.
Judgment day has caused a sense of panic to spread throughout the Marvel Universe. Some moments give the audience glimmers of hope, but for the most part, things are looking bleak for the X-Men. Much like the previous issue, X-Men #14 provides a sense of optimism in the midst of the chaos, depicting the newly appointed team of X-Men as competent heroes able to rise to any challenge. Duggan throws them a narrative curveball in the form of a solar flare subplot. While this sudden turn of events might seem like a distraction from Judgment Day, this little detour is a step in the right direction for the X-Men. Duggan gives every member of this unconventional team a chance to prove themselves. Iceman utilizes his powers to literally shield the Earth from the Sun, Magick demonstrates her blunt and brutal brand of justice, Cyclops and Jean Grey handle Progenitor splendidly, and Captain America joins the fray to produce jaw-dropping results.
The only downside is the rather predictable framing device of the civilian newspaper journalist and editor, arguing about Iceman's interview and disclosing his sexuality. While it sends a lofty message about journalism, censorship, and telling "his truth," it comes across as superfluous, a case of telling rather than showing. It certainly ties in with the theme of judgment, but this would have benefited from a more direct approach. X-Men #14 is strongest when it shows the heroes being heroes, being themselves in public, having each other's backs, and saving humanity.
X-Men #14 has bright, bold, and vibrant visuals. Each page is an explosion of color thanks to Matt Milla's increasingly saturated palette. The Sun's fiery golds and yellows contrast superbly with Iceman's cool and crisp blues and whites, offset by a glorious celestial backdrop. Urban landscapes, sunset beaches, and snowy wastelands are rendered by artist C.F. Villa and Milla's colors in cinematic glory. The X-Men look incredible as well. The fight choreography and movements flow nicely from page to page. Each page feels like a work of art, hammering in the tone of hopefulness and defiance that runs throughout this issue.
While it derails from the main plot for the majority of the issue, X-Men #14 is the much-needed silver lining on the cloud of Judgment Day, quite literally turning down the heat in favor of reminding readers just how heroic the X-Men can be.