X-Men #23 Finally Makes Something Good of “Age of Revelation” (Review)

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X-Men fans are currently feeling disappointed. While dedicated readers still support the comics, the recent “From the Ashes” series hasn’t been very successful, and critics haven’t been impressed. The last major storyline in that series, “Age of Revelation,” was considered a letdown. Many fans stopped reading the X-Men comics after that, as it didn’t live up to the popular “Age of Apocalypse.” Now, with the new “Shadows of Tomorrow” initiative, issue #23 of X-Men surprisingly manages to take ideas from the failed “Age of Revelation” and craft a compelling story.

I wasn’t a fan of X-Men: Age of Revelation Finale or much of Jed MacKay’s run on X-Men – it often felt like familiar ideas rehashed. However, this issue completely surprised me. While Age of Revelation left many readers disappointed, this installment actually utilizes the core concept – a future Cyclops swapping places with his past self – far more effectively than the Amazing X-Men issues did. Cyclops has been a strong character lately, and this story really highlights that, making it a truly Cyclops-focused narrative.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Pros Cons
An engaging story filled with tension If you didn’t read “Age of Revelation”, this story won’t really interest you very much
Gorgeous art with amazing action
Introduces some doubt about AoR Cyclops and his mission that could lead to some great places

The issue starts with a fantastic action sequence, really showcasing Cyclops’ power. We’ve seen Scott Summers defeat the X-Men before, but this is the first time the fight feels truly unrestrained. The author expertly builds tension from the beginning and maintains it throughout the entire issue. The comic’s pacing and tone are excellent, making it a gripping read. This is easily the best issue of MacKay’s X-Men run, and I’d even say it’s the best work he’s done on any team book.

Tony S. Daniel’s Art Is a Nice Change of Pace

Tony Daniel first gained recognition for his work on X-Force (and contributed to the popular Gambit and the X-Ternals during the “Age of Apocalypse” storyline), making his return to the series feel natural. He’s consistently delivered excellent work for three decades, and this issue is no exception. While some of his previous art occasionally had issues with proportions, that’s not a problem here. Everything looks fantastic and really enhances the story.

The story kicks off with a really well-done action sequence – the artwork and page layout make the fight clear and exciting. Artist Daniel, along with inker Mark Morales, work seamlessly together. Daniel is particularly good at showing characters’ feelings, especially the harshness of the future Cyclops. His version of Beast is also a standout – he captures how intimidating the character can be, and his depiction of Beast’s fur is amazing. Daniel’s style provides a refreshing change after the work of Ryan Stegman and Netho Diaz. Interestingly, Stegman and Diaz’s art, which is heavily inspired by 90s X-Men artists like Joe Madureira and Roger Crux, actually feels more like that era than the work of artists who actually drew comics in the 90s!

X-Men #23 is a genuinely refreshing issue. It’s simply a great read, which is something I hadn’t expected from this series since around issue #6. Despite building on the somewhat disappointing elements of the “Age of Revelation” storyline, it manages to pull everything off successfully. This issue clearly demonstrates MacKay’s talent for writing Cyclops. The artwork by Daniel, Morales, and colorist Fer Sifuente-Diaz is a perfect match for the story, and feels even better than what the book’s usual artists would have delivered. Even if you weren’t a fan of “Age of Revelation”, this issue is sure to impress.

X-Men #23 is on sale now.

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2026-01-07 17:14