10 Best X-Men Stories of the Last Five Years

For years, the X-Men were Marvel’s top-selling team, but the Avengers took over in the 2000s. The X-Men then faced a period of decline in the 2010s due to Marvel not owning the rights to make movies about them. This all changed when Disney acquired 20th Century Fox. A highly successful new direction for the team, called the Krakoa Era, began in 2019 and lasted until 2024, producing some of the most popular comics in recent memory. However, many fans feel the quality began to dip in 2021 after Jonathan Hickman, the lead writer, departed. The last five years have been a rollercoaster for X-Men fans, with the books’ quality fluctuating significantly, particularly after the end of the Krakoa Era.

Despite some disappointments, the years 2021-2026 still produced some fantastic X-Men stories. Here are five of the best, quickly becoming favorites among fans.

10) Rise of the Powers of X

The ‘Fall of X’ storyline marked the end of the Krakoa era, and overall, it wasn’t very successful. While a few titles – like Immortal X-Men, X-Men Red, Wolverine, and Children of the Vault – stood out, most were just okay. Fall of the House of X was particularly disappointing. Thankfully, Rise of the Powers of X, written by Kieron Gillen with art by R.B. Silva, was a highlight. It felt like a satisfying conclusion to many of the storylines Jonathan Hickman introduced at the start, and really helped redeem the ending of the Krakoa era. The story was full of exciting moments and innovative ideas, and Silva’s artwork was fantastic.

9) “The Hellfire Gala”

The “Hellfire Gala” was a year-long event in 2021 that spanned all the X-Men comics. It centered around a massive party where the mutants of Krakoa introduced themselves to the world, leading to plenty of chaotic and entertaining moments. The story culminated in the significant issue Planet-Size X-Men #1, and did a great job of creating anticipation for its shocking conclusion. While not a single continuous story, each issue offered a fun glimpse at the X-Men’s characters and how they were experiencing the gala. It was a genuinely enjoyable highlight of the Krakoa era and deserves more recognition for how well it was executed.

8) Inferno

Jonathan Hickman’s final major X-Men story, Inferno, is a standout work that unfortunately hasn’t received enough recognition. Created with artists Valerio Schiti, R.B. Silva, and Stefano Caselli, it brought significant changes and exciting plot developments to the X-Men universe. While some argue it contributed to later issues with the ‘Destiny of X’ and ‘Fall of X’ storylines, Inferno itself is a compelling and captivating read that leaves you wanting more of Hickman’s original vision for the X-Men.

7) X-Men (Vol. 5) #18-19

Jonathan Hickman’s run on X-Men (Vol. 5) had its ups and downs, but issues #18-19, with art by Mahmud Asrar, were a definite highlight. This story explored a plot thread introduced in #7, sending Wolverine II, Synch, and Darwin into the Vault – a strange place where time flows differently. Inside, they faced the Children of the Vault, powerful beings created to eliminate mutants who were constantly evolving and becoming more dangerous. This storyline really showcases Hickman’s strengths: compelling science fiction combined with engaging character interactions. It’s one of the best stories from the Krakoa era and deserves more recognition.

6) X-Men: The Hellfire Gala (2023) #1

The first Hellfire Gala comic was excellent, and while the second was largely unnecessary for the overall story, the third was truly outstanding. X-Men: The Hellfire Gala (2023) #1, written by Gerry Duggan and featuring art from many of Marvel’s top artists, launched the “Fall of X” storyline. This installment is considered one of the darkest and most shocking X-Men stories ever told, earning praise even from readers who weren’t fans of Duggan’s previous X-Men work. The only downside is that it raised expectations for “Fall of X” so high that subsequent issues struggled to measure up, but the comic remains a compelling read on its own.

5) X-Men Red (Vol. 2) #1-7

This series is actually two stories combined, but it’s so good it deserves to be mentioned! X-Men Red (Vol. 2) is a standout in the current X-Men era, focusing on the nation of Arakko. It follows Storm, Magneto, and Sunspot as they create a new Brotherhood of Mutants alongside the Arakkii people and their leader, the Fisher King. The first four issues, by Al Ewing and Stefano Caselli, center on their struggle to establish power while facing opposition from Abigail Brand, who attempts to seize control of Arakko’s government. The final three issues depict a fierce war between mutants and the Eternals, with the Arakkii confronting the powerful Eternal, Uranos. In just seven issues, this series delivers everything an X-Men fan could ask for.

4) Immortal X-Men (Vol. 1) #1-3

Many fans consider Immortal X-Men the standout series of the Krakoa era, and it all started with this fantastic three-issue arc by Kieron Gillen and Lucas Werneck. After Magneto leaves the Quiet Council, the group attempts to add a new member, but rejecting the wrong mutant creates a major crisis. Gillen and Werneck’s work here was exceptional, introducing concepts that became central to the future of the X-Men. This book was a welcome change of pace from the then-flagship X-Men (Vol. 6), which many found underwhelming.

3) A.X.E. Judgment Day

While Marvel has hosted many impressive events, A.X.E. Judgment Day, created by Kieron Gillen and Valerio Schiti, stands out as the best of the last ten years. Building on Gillen’s work with Eternals, the story centers around a conflict where the immortal Eternals attack Krakoa, believing mutants and Deviants (their ancient enemies) share a genetic connection. The Avengers attempt to resolve the situation, but their solution takes the narrative in a surprisingly unexpected and thrilling direction. Instead of being another predictable hero-versus-hero story, Gillen and Schiti deliver something truly unique, crafting an excellent story with some of the strongest tie-in issues seen in any Marvel event for the past four decades.

2) “Dark Artery”

Despite a somewhat unremarkable overall direction for the X-Men following the Krakoa era, Uncanny X-Men stands out as a highlight. Gail Simone and David Marquez, along with the talented artists who’ve contributed, are delivering classic team-based stories, and their best work so far is “Dark Artery.” This story delves into the mysteries surrounding the X-Men’s New Orleans base, Haven House, involving both the Outliers – the team’s new students – and the core team members. It’s a refreshing departure from typical X-Men narratives, and that’s what makes it so compelling. With stunning artwork, well-developed characters, and genuinely impactful moments, “Dark Artery” is a truly fantastic read.

1) “Sins of Sinister”

Marvel has often tried – and usually failed – to recreate the impact of its popular “Age of Apocalypse” storyline. Recent attempts, like “Age of Revelation,” haven’t quite hit the mark. However, the current Krakoa era of X-Men comics achieved a truly compelling alternate universe story with “Sins of Sinister.” This story unfolded across the main Immortal X-Men title and was framed by the one-shot issues Sins of Sinister #1 and Sins of Sinister: Dominion #1, as well as three separate miniseries: Immoral X-Men, Nightcrawlers, and Storm and the Brotherhood of Mutants. “Sins of Sinister” transported readers to a future where Sinister-controlled mutants had reigned for a thousand years, and it was a remarkably well-crafted story. Written by a team including Gillen, Ewing, and Simon Spurrier, it stands out as one of the best stories from the later part of the Krakoa era.

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2026-02-24 22:17