X-Manhunt Omega serves as a crucial conclusion to the second major X-Men event in the From the Ashes era, tying up loose ends while leaving readers with more questions about the future of mutantkind. In this issue, we witness the X-Men navigating the aftermath of Xavier’s escape from Graymalkin Prison. After the loss of their island nation and one of their greatest leaders on the run, the X-Men’s future is in disarray, divided between those trying to rebuild and those grappling with the loss.
Cyclops, a key figure in this tumultuous era, is presented as caught between being a steadfast leader and a revolutionary. His opening line—"They killed it..."—strikes a deep chord, encapsulating the disillusionment many mutants feel after Krakoa’s fall. While the narrative seeks to inject hope by showing the resilience of mutants in various corners of the X-universe, it’s a tough pill to swallow, especially given the mixed reception many recent X-books have received.
Cyclops and Rogue’s ideological clash continues through the first pages of X-Manhunt Omega, reaffirming their standing disagreement on how to handle mutantkind’s future, particularly when it comes to Xavier. Cyclops’ adamant stance on keeping the Professor imprisoned, despite his own traumatic experiences with captivity (particularly during the Fall of X), feels contradictory. Even more jarring is the fact that other mutants remain imprisoned within the X-Men’s former home, yet no significant action has been taken to free them. It’s a puzzling oversight, especially given Cyclops’ declarations about preventing further suffering for mutants.
As tensions between Cyclops and Rogue remain unresolved, we shift to Storm, who has remained largely separate from the central conflicts of the X-teams. She reflects on the symbolism of mutants, both past and present, during a philosophical exchange with Sage. For those following X-Force, this moment picks up from the events where Sage helped Xavier escape with a Krakoan egg containing his deceased wife, Lilandra. While Storm’s role in these events is not as directly involved as one might expect, her philosophical musings provide a needed contrast to the heated arguments among the other X-leaders. If you haven’t already, it’s worth picking up Storm to dive deeper into her personal struggles during this time.
The heart of X-Manhunt Omega comes in the form of high-octane action, with Ayodele and Simone delivering one of the most visually stunning sequences, with help from artists we've seen in recent X-Men comics. Murewa’s influence from anime and manga is unmistakable, with extravagant attacks, dramatic flair, and a massive kaiju-style battle featuring a giant demon and a superpowered mechsuit. These action-packed pages highlight the best of his directional talents and add a new level of excitement to the story outside of verbal bouts.
However, the most compelling part of the issue is the battle of ideals between Cyclops and Xavier. Finally, the two have the long-overdue conversation that allows Cyclops to confront his deep resentment toward his mentor and father figure. This confrontation feels long overdue, as Cyclops’ internal conflict has been hinted at but never fully explored. The Fall of Krakoa, arguably the hardest blow to Scott, is the catalyst for his meltdown. His raw emotions echo back to earlier issues, such as X-Men #2 and #7, where we saw the first cracks in his psyche, as he struggled with depression and panic attacks. Scott is a character who has sacrificed everything for the cause, and this moment truly drives home the emotional toll he’s endured. To him, Xavier is the architect of a broken dream, and his pain feels both relatable and tragic.
The final message of the issue is one of hope, unity, and the pursuit of a new dream for mutantkind. It’s a touching sentiment, but it doesn’t pack the emotional punch it perhaps should, given Xavier’s limited involvement throughout this era. Though his final words aim to inspire, it’s difficult to feel the weight of his vision when he’s been largely absent from the era outside the two major events. As X-Manhunt Omega sets the stage for what comes next, I’m more interested in seeing how the X-Men evolve into something more unique and fitting of the previous era.
The future of the Adjectiveless X-Men and Uncanny X-Men teams is uncertain. Will they heed Xavier’s final words and find common ground, or will they continue to clash as they try to define a new path forward without their former leader? The possibilities are intriguing, but it’s clear that the X-Men’s journey is far from over.
About X-Manhunt Omega
Release Date: March 26, 2025
Written by: Gail Simone, Murewa Ayodele
Art by: Enid Balám, Gleb Melnikov, Federica Mancin
Cover by: Gleb Melnikov, Morry Hollowell
Page Count: 48 Pages
Synopsis: X-MANHUNT FINALE! The X-MANHUNT concludes as Professor X reaches his destination, and his assorted pursuers, friend and foe alike, catch up with him! Alliances will be battle-tested, the blades of betrayals will cut deep with poisoned tips and, when the dust finally settles, Charles Xavier will have to make a tectonic-shifting choice with the fate of all mutantkind in the balance. The world is about to change. This time around, everyone is wide awake.
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