Phoenix, Storm, and the best X-comic books of December 2024

The X-Men close the year with hope after beginning it with doubt (read Fall of X for that story). Each of the sections on this list breaks down the best X-comic books of the month into different categories. The categories go from things like moment of the month to most violent, funniest, and biggest flex. Let’s start with the best X-Book of December.

Best X-Book of the month

• Comic books: X-Men: Raid on Graymalkin (X-Men No. 8/Mo. 9 and Uncanny X-Men No. 7)
• Writers: Jed MacKay and Gail Simone
• Artists: Ryan Stegman and David Marquez

Both titles flawlessly build up the story of the X-Men’s attempt to save their people and show the animosity between Rogue and Cyclops. The action was perfect, the humor was hilarious, and both characters who’ve just been introduced and around for decades improved. Plus the villains were shown to be just as awful as enemies of mutants tend to be. Overall it was three fantastic issues from two amazing creative teams.

Funniest Moment

• Comic book: Wolverine No. 4
• Writer: Saladin Ahmed
• Artist: Martin Coccolo

The fight between Constrictor and Wolverine shouldn’t have been close and it wasn’t. But seeing Constrictor get whooped and then pass out due to fear was hilarious. Not all of Logan’s fights need to be drag-out battles and this was an example of why that’s the case.

Fight of the Month

• Comic book: Mystique No. 3
• Writer: Declan Shalvey
• Artist: Declan Shalvey

The benefit of writing and drawing your comic book is being able to make it look exactly like you want. In this case, Declan Shalvey’s Mystique as the shape-shifting mutant fights Sentinels with *checks notes* Magneto's powers.

We see how Raven would fair with the Master of Magnetism’s power and she’d be terrifying. And if a little boost from Fabian Cortez gave her the abilities of an omega-level mutant, imagine what she’d do if she changed into Thanos or Jean Grey. This won’t be the last time we see Raven explore the upper extent of her powers.

Biggest flex of the month

• Comic book: Phoenix No. 6 
• Writer: Stephanie Phillips
• Artist: Martin Coccolo

Jean Grey and Richard Rider (Nova) defeat an armada of Thanos without breaking a sweat. It was so easy that Nova was making jokes and saying he'd put this win on his résumé. This may not have been the feat of beating the Black Order (Phoenix No. 3) or Gorr the God Butcher (Phoenix No. 5), but it was still a dope moment.

Violent X-Book of the Month

• Comic book: Sabretooth: The Dead Don’t Talk
• Writer: Frank Tieri
• Artist: Michael Sta Maria

Sabretooth is dead (for now), but his legend remains. This is the story of how Victor Creed leaves his “job” as Mr. Sinister’s assistant to work with Wilson Fisk’s ancestor, Anatoly Fyskov (who changed his name to Fisk later). It’s a bloody and brutal story told in a way only Frank Tieri can. It’s also perfectly drawn by Michael Sta. Maria.

Moment of the month

• Comic book: Storm No. 3 
• Writer: Murewa Ayodele
• Artist: Lucas Werneck

The relationship between Wolverine and Storm has been more than friendly for decades. So when they flirt, kiss, or have sex it shouldn’t be shocking. Nevertheless, it’s still great to see. This issue is highlighted because artist Lucas Werneck drew it better than anyone and Murewa Ayodele wrote the build-up beautifully. 

Underrated X-title

• Comic book: Hellverine No. 1
• Writer: Benjamin Percy
• Artist:  Raffaele Ienco

The title Hellverine seems silly, but the story isn’t. Benjamin Percy is writing a tale fit for a horror flick. However, Akihiro’s story about how he feels about being inhabited by the demon Bagra-ghul and why it relates to his past is deep. It’s the perfect combination of scary moments and thought-provoking dialogue.

X-Hero of the month

• Comic book: Laura Kinney: Wolverine No. 1
• Writer: Erica Schultz
• Artist: Giada Belviso

All of the X-Men did something amazing, but Wolverine (Laura Kinney) saved mutants and humans from unpaid servitude. It was a great way to begin Erica Schultz’s run of Laura Kinney: Wolverine. Wolverine's mission is similar to the one in NYX where she’s helping regular people instead of fighting in the clouds. The difference is she's doing it solo.

Emotional X-Book

• Comic book: Exceptional X-Men No. 4
• Writer: Eve Ewing
• Artist: Carmen Carnero

Creating a new character isn’t easy. Four is downright difficult. Each of them needs a different background, and storyline, and give readers a reason to care about them. Thankfully, Eve Ewing is an amazing writer.

What she did for Trista Marshall (codename Bronze) within the first couple of pages was a prime example. She spoke on something plenty of Black Women talk about and adopted it to Trista. It's a deep moment that everyone should read.