REVIEW: ‘X-Men #14’ - The Return of 3K and a Rising Mystery
- Keith M.
- Apr 2
- 3 min read
After the intense events of the X-Manhunt storyline, X-Men #14 brings us back to the lives of the adjectiveless X-Men team and their home base—the Factory in Merle, Alaska. Before their encounter with Rogue’s Uncanny team, which led to a significant confrontation over the handling of Charles Xavier, the X-Men had been focused on adjusting to life in their small northern town while navigating the evolving political climate surrounding mutant rights in a post-Krakoan world.
The standout aspect of this issue for me is the focus on the newer characters introduced earlier in the run—mutants transformed by the looming threat of the 3K. Jennifer Starkey, the polymorph, and Ben Liu, who seems to possess illusion or reality-warping abilities with the potential to level cities (as seen in X-Men Vol. 7 #2), both get much-needed attention. We see them adjusting to their new identities and their commitment to the cause as they join the X-Men in the search for a missing girl.
Mystery plays a pivotal role in this issue, particularly with the search for Piper Cobb, a young girl who suspected she was a mutant after witnessing a devastating Sentinel attack in her hometown of Merle. This is especially intriguing since Beast, the X-Men's resident scientist, had earlier confirmed that Piper was “one hundred percent homo sapiens sapiens,” despite the cliffhanger transformation that was left unresolved in a previous issue. The team feels a deep responsibility to find her, with Idie Okonkwo (Temper) taking the lead, as she had been the one to invite Piper into their home. Idie feels personally responsible for returning Piper to a situation where the girl didn’t feel safe, creating a dilemma for the X-Men who have always strived to help both humans and mutants—yet they remain unsure of how to assist Piper or even what might be happening to her.
Another intriguing moment is a conversation between Ben and Magneto, who is struggling with Resurrection-Linked Degenerative Sickness—a mysterious side effect of the Krakoan resurrection process. Magneto, acknowledging the immense power that both he and Ben possess, offers to mentor the young man in controlling his abilities. This offer made me wary and carries weight given Magneto’s history, where he has often taken extreme measures in his pursuit of Mutantkind’s survival and protection.
The threat of 3K continues to cast a long shadow as the identities of their leaders begin to surface. Cassandra Nova, whose role in mutant deaths is among the most catastrophic in X-Men history, is revealed to be behind much of the team's turmoil. With her formidable powers, she remains an ever-present danger, having previously come dangerously close to eliminating the mutants' omega-level telepath. Adding to the urgency is the deadly assassin Wyre, who has been targeting the X-Men. He escalates the situation by shooting down their ship, the Marauder, and taking out Kid Omega, forcing the X-Men into yet another rescue mission on top of the one they’ve already launched.
In the end, the search for Piper brings the story full circle, leading to the discovery of an Acanti space whale’s fallen corpse and the unsettling revelation that something powerful—and possibly malevolent—has been hidden inside Piper all along. This new development may threaten not just the mutants, but the people of Merle as well.
All in all, X-Men #14 offers a solid return to the core mission of the adjectiveless X-Men team and their operations from their Alaskan base. The story seamlessly ties together elements from previous arcs, including 3K, Piper, Corsair, and the Acanti, while drawing readers back into the action. This issue also delves into surprising emotional depth, with a particular focus on the growth of newer characters, especially Idie, setting the stage for what promises to be an exciting continuation of the series.
About X-Men #14
Release Date: April 02, 2025
Written by: Jed Mackay
Art by: Ryan Stegman
Cover by: Ryan Stegman
Page Count: 26
Synopsis: The town of Merle enlists the X-Men to aid in a search and rescue operation for a missing child - one closer to the X-Men than the Sheriff knows. But while the X-Men search for Piper Cobb, they are themselves being watched - as their shadowy 3K adversaries move to strike directly, their own agenda unfolding!
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