Wolverine, Uncanny X-Men, and the best X-comic books of the month

As much as this writer enjoyed the Krakoan Age of X-Men, From the Ashes has been better. It’s a reminder of what the X-Men stand for and why they’re not like the Avengers or the Fantastic Four. They’re fighting for more than just the little person. They’re battling for survival.

Since it’s been difficult to rank the best titles of the past month from least to best, I’ve decided to break them down into categories. This way you can see what made each comic book special. However, there’s one title that’s stood out above them all and I’ll start with that.

X-Comic of the Month

• Comic book: Wolverine No. 3
• Writer: Saladin Ahmed
• Artist: Martin Coccolo

Saladin Ahemed’s run of Wolverine has kept Logan in the wilderness of Canada. Instead of being a wild man in the woods, he’s helping a kid who’s turned into a wendigo. Normally, Logan would just kill them, but he knows it isn’t the kid’s fault and that he's resisting the mystical monster’s natural urges.

One thing to pay attention to is how this ends. In issue No. 2 of Gail Simone’s Uncanny X-Men, Wolverine says that not all the kids he’s been around are still alive. Since this story takes place before Uncanny X-Men, Logan could be talking about the Wendigo he's protecting.

"Because sometimes, all we can ask... is to see another sunrise." - Wolverine

The Reveal of the Month

• Comic book: Uncanny X-Men No. 6
• Writer: Gail Simone
• Artist: Javier Garron

Rogue has noticed that Wolverine’s been off lately. She thinks it’s her until he tries to give her and Gambit a bottle of alcohol. Logan says it’s from his war buddies and it’s supposed to go to the last one alive. Knowing he’ll be around forever, Logan thinks they should have it. That’s when Rogue says that Logan has PTSD and isn’t dealing with it properly. Considering everything Logan’s been through, it makes sense.

"I been a little busted up inside..." - Wolverine

“Oh snap” of the Month

• Comic book: Phoenix No. 5
• Writer: Stephanie Phillips 
• Artist: Alessandro Miracolo

Just when you think Jean Grey and the Phoenix can’t get more powerful, she does another amazing feat. In this issue, she doesn’t just defeat Gorr the God Butcher (something the gods couldn’t do). She turns him into a sun. She says this way she can nourish an entire ecosystem of planets to make up for the pain he’s caused. 

"I am not a god, Gorr. You were mistaken. A god has limits." - Jean Grey

Return of the Month

• Comic book: Exceptional X-Men No. 3
• Writer: Eve Ewing
• Artist: Carmen Carnero

There were two returns in Exceptional X-Men No. 3. First, Kitty Pryde goes back to being a teacher. She says that part of her journey is behind her, but when three kids need her help (Bronze, Axo, and Melee) she becomes a teacher again. Then, when she’s about to quit, the second return happens. Her ex-boyfriend and X-Men teammate Iceman shows up.

"I don't want to fight you, Emma. I don't do that anymore." - Kitty Pryde

OH NO! X-Comic of the month

• Comic book: Storm No. 2
• Writer: Murewa Ayodele
• Artist: Lucas Werneck

In the previous issue, Storm starts to cough up blood. Like most readers, this seemed like something that would be dragged out for a while. Instead, she goes to a hospital and finds out she has six hours to live. Thankfully, Doctor Voodoo is able and willing to help her.

"Miss, Ororo... you have perhaps six hours to live." - Dr. Daye

The Biggest shock of the month

• Comic book: Ultimate X-Men No. 9
• Writer: Peach Momoko
• Artist: Peach Momoko

Peach Momoko’s Ultimate X-Men has continuously included new versions of mutants throughout the series. The most recent addition was shocking. Readers learn that Logan isn’t mutant zero this time around. On this Earth, it’s Akihiro (Logan’s son on Earth-616). It makes you wonder if the Winter Soldier in Ultimate Wolverine is Logan or someone else.

"Where is my divinity? When will I be free?" - Akihiro

Action X-Comic of the Month

• Comic book: Psylocke No. 1
• Writer: Alyssa Wong
• Artist: Vincenzo Carratu

Psylocke No. 1 had the best-looking fight scenes of the month. Artist Vincenzo Carratu made Kwannon look amazing as she defeated Skullbuster and Donald Pierce. However, with the punches, swords, and psychic attacks, Alyssa Wong showed that, while Psylocke is good at killing, she isn’t proud of it. It added depth to the blood being spilled.

"I should feel horrified. But what scares me... is that I don't." - Psylocke