REVIEW: ‘X-Men #15’ - Rescue Mission Or Reckoning?
- Keith M.
- 9 hours ago
- 3 min read
A lot is going on in the flagship X-Men title right now—so much, in fact, that you’d be forgiven for losing track. When we last left our heroes, they were dealing with a missing child who believed she was a mutant, the Marauder shot down with Kid Omega aboard, and the shadowy manipulations of the mysterious 3K looming in the background. It’s a dizzying number of narrative plates to spin, but Jed MacKay balances them with impressive precision throughout the issue.
At its core, this chapter zeroes in on two major crises: the missing Kid Omega, whose body is nowhere to be found in the wreckage of the Marauder, and the tragic case of Piper Cobb—or more specifically, her long-absorbed mutant twin sister. This unnamed sibling, consumed by revenge and shaped by biokinetic powers, constructs a grotesque body for herself using the corpse of an Acanti space whale. (Yes, really.) Her goal? To kill the sister she believes stole the life that was meant to be hers. The X-Men are forced to divide their focus, raising the stakes and emotional tension as they confront both moral and physical threats.
One of the standout aspects of this issue is its character work. The interactions feel charged, personal, and often surprisingly humorous. There’s a great moment where Juggernaut grows visibly uncomfortable as Magik strikes a bargain in blood with what can only be described as demonic cherubs to help Xorn in his search for Kid Omega, an ironic twist given Juggernaut’s long-standing connection to the demon lord Cyttorak. Elsewhere, Beast and Psylocke clash over how best to handle one of the new mutants in their care; Hank urges caution and compassion, while Kwannon sees overprotection as a dangerous liability. These philosophical debates enrich the story and deepen the stakes.
This is where MacKay shines most, exploring the complex motivations of these characters as they’re pulled in different directions by escalating threats. These tensions come to a head when Piper’s sister, already a powerful and unstable force, is manipulated by none other than Cassandra Nova. Nova feeds into the child’s grief and resentment, weaponizing her emotions to turn her against the hometown she never got the chance to experience. This puts the mutants in an unfavorable position as they must now keep the child from destroying innocent lives.
MacKay and artist Ryan Stegman work in lockstep to paint a dark, desperate picture of heroes backed into a corner. Nova’s presence is menacing, her every word laced with psychological precision, even as she easily thwarts Psylocke’s attempts to stop the monster. Even combined assaults from powerhouses like Magik and Juggernaut barely faze the threat, underscoring just how dire things have become. And just when you think things can’t get more intense, a new wrinkle emerges: a mysterious group of mutants who boldly proclaim themselves the X-Men.
Is this issue chaotic? Undoubtedly. It’s packed with body horror, moral dilemmas, emotional drama, and ever-climbing stakes. But is it also a blast to read? Absolutely. MacKay continues to showcase the best aspects of these characters, threading previous story beats and their personal arcs into a complex, high-stakes narrative. With Stegman delivering dynamic, intense visuals to match, the creative team seems to have found its stride post-events, and I’m ready to see them knock it out of the park.
About X-Men #15
Release Date:Â April 23, 2025
Written by:Â Jed MacKay
Art by: Ryan Stegman
Cover by: Ryan Stegman
Page Count: 27
Synopsis:Â What began as a simple search and rescue has escalated, with not just the X-Men but the entire town of Merle at danger! And as 3K steps out from the shadows for the first time in order to further their twisted program, will the Means, their anointed headsman, slake his bloodthirst on the X-Men?