REVIEW: ‘X-Men’ #17 – Kaiju, Mechs, And Mutants, Oh My!
- Keith M.
- Jun 5
- 2 min read
If you're into superhero smackdowns, giant monsters, and mechs duking it out, X-Men #17 is absolutely your kind of chaos. Jewd MacKay and Ryan Stegman continue to throw everything (including a few metaphorical kitchen sinks) at our favorite Mutants, and the result is an action-packed, wildly entertaining issue with just enough twists to keep you on your toes.
Picking up right where we left off, the X-Men are in the middle of a brutal brawl with the Mutants of 3K, all while a kaiju-sized unborn mutant barrels toward the town of Merle, Alaska. Their ship has been destroyed, they're outnumbered, and the situation is spiraling fast. It’s one of those days.
One of the biggest surprises this issue is the survival of Kid Omega, who was presumed dead after the Marauder exploded. In classic Quentin Quire fashion, he had a failsafe in place — telepathically slowing his perception of time and wrapping himself in a telekinetic cocoon. It's the first major win the team’s had in a while, and it’s a welcome one.
Meanwhile, Magneto is locked in a desperate attempt to control a gigantic wild Sentinel with his increasingly unreliable powers. The spectacle is massive, the stakes are high, and yes, it’s as fun as it sounds. Magneto even drops a line about how he “doesn’t give speeches” — a line that’s unintentionally hilarious given that his entire brand is eloquent monologuing. Still, it’s a great moment that adds just the right touch of levity.
Cyclops also gets a moment to shine, proving why he's still the X-Men's tactical master. Facing off against Schwarzschild, a gravity-manipulating bruiser, Scott’s optic blasts are useless on their own. But instead of relying on raw power, he outsmarts his opponent with a carefully laid plan which showcase his leadership and his strategic brilliance. It’s a reminder of why Cyclops is so dangerous when he’s thinking several steps ahead. It even brought to mind his famous line about not doing A–Z plans because that would imply he only has twenty-six to work with.
With the tides of battle finally turning, the X-Men start gaining ground. But just as things start looking up, 3K's third objective comes into play: Wyre infiltrates their base, enacting a mysterious (but clearly sinister) plan that could change everything.
All in all, this issue is a blast: fast-paced, creative, and just the right amount of weird. MacKay isn’t afraid to take risks or throw curveballs, and Stegman's art elevates the mayhem beautifully. Whether the X-Men will triumph or end up absorbed into the mission of these rogue 3K Mutants is still anyone’s guess. But with this creative team, one thing's for sure: it’s going to be one hell of a ride.
About X-Men #17
Release Date: June 04, 2025
Written by: Jed MacKay
Art by: Ryan Stegman
Cover by: Ryan Stegman
Page Count: 26
Synopsis: Disaster charges toward the town of Merle, Alaska, as the X-Men are preoccupied with their own battle against the 3K X-Men. Only Magneto stands between the town and destruction - can he prevail even in the face of his deteriorating condition?
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