Powers of X #1

Writer: Jonathan Hickman Artist: R. B. Silva Publisher: Marvel Comics Release Date: July 31, 2019 Cover Price: $5.99 Critic Reviews: 25 User Reviews: 126
8.9Critic Rating
8.7User Rating

FEAR THE FUTURE! Superstar writer Jonathan Hickman (INFINTY, NEW AVENGERS, FF) continues his revolutionary new direction for the X-Men. Intertwining with HOUSE OF X, POWERS OF X reveals the secret past, present  and  future of mutantkind, changing the way you look at every X-Men story before and after. You do not want to miss the next seminal moment in the history of the X-Men!
Rated T+

  • 10
    Black Nerd Problems - Jon-Carlos Evans Aug 2, 2019

    If you like X-Men, comic books, long game mythology and storytelling, then you have absolutely zero excuses not to read House of X and Powers of X as soon as they drop on NCBD. The first issue of this series ties in four distinct time periods in mutant history that reflect directly upon the "current timeline" as it unfolds in House of X. You cannot read one of these books without the other to grasp the full scale of what Hickman has in store for a thousand years of X-Men history "yes, a thousands years. Read Full Review

  • 10
    ComicBook.com - Chase Magnett Jul 31, 2019

    Powers of X deftly expands upon the mutant mythos and addresses the nature of humanity's greatest challenges, providing a new legend and new meaning for the X-Men. Read Full Review

  • 9.8
    Geek'd Out - Gregory Brothers Jul 31, 2019

    After the first two issues of Hickmans X-Men run, it is obvious that this truly is a new jumping-on point. Everything that you would expect from a Hickman event is here so far. Marvel has assigned art teams that are up to the task of keeping up with Hickmans storytelling. So strap in as it is obvious that Hickman and his team have an amazing story they are going to tell. Read Full Review

  • 9.8
    Monkeys Fighting Robots - Ben Snyder Jul 30, 2019

    Powers of X #1 is the beginnings of a new X-Men Epic. Read Full Review

  • 9.6
    You Don't Read Comics - David Harth Aug 2, 2019

    Powers Of X #1 throws readers into the deep end, but in the best possible way. Hickman does some excellent world-building without giving away too much and lays out tantalizing clues of whats to come. The only minor quibble with the comic is how it fits in with House Of X, but Hickman is a master storyteller so the connection is sure to be something great. R.B. Silvas art isnt perfect, but it works for the story. His design work and his execution of the action scenes make up for the deficiencies of his artwork. Theres a lot to love about this book and it lays out a lot of interesting stuff. Hickman continues to work his magic on the X-Men. Read Full Review

  • 9.6
    Chuck's Comic Of The Day - Chuck Aug 3, 2019

    This may be a tougher read for the casual X-Fan, but there's obviously been a lot of planning and design here, and it's a rewarding read for thosebrave enough to tackle it. Read Full Review

  • 9.5
    Multiversity Comics - Gustavo S Lodi Aug 1, 2019

    Uncanny. Amazing. Astonishing. And we are only one issue in. Read Full Review

  • 9.5
    Comics Bookcase - Zack Quaintance Jul 31, 2019

    Powers of X #1 is a nigh-perfect companion to last weeks House of X #1, recasting it in a slightly darker tone while also seeding its own massive sci-fi epic. These new Jonathan Hickman X-Men comics are, quite simply, must-reads. Read Full Review

  • 9.4
    Comic Watch - Bethany W Pope Jul 31, 2019

    Groundbreaking, gut-wrenching storytelling and astonishing art marks the beginning of what will prove to be a very important X-Man story. Read Full Review

  • 9.4
    The Super Powered Fancast - Deron Generally Jul 31, 2019

    R.B. Silvas art is fantastic. There are some great visual moments throughout and a beautiful fluidity to the backgrounds that draws the readers eye. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Comic Crusaders - Johnny "The Machine" Hughes Jul 31, 2019

    The format of this book may seem a bit more of a hard sell than the “present day” book, inclusions of the former notwithstanding. Between the two books, Hickman has crafted his own version of the X-universe that is waiting for us all to explore. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Newsarama - Pierce Lydon Aug 1, 2019

    Once again, Hickman proves deft at remixing familiar elements just enough to make them interesting, and while the questions posed by his narrative have no easy answers, the journey to finding them and exploring this new status quo is the most exciting the X-line has been in quite some time. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Comic Book Revolution - Rokk Aug 1, 2019

    Overall: Powers of X #1 is a brilliant read. Hickman builds off of House of X #1 in pleasant fashion. Hickman continues to build a delightfully complex and immersive world. This story pulls the reader in deeply and doesn't let go until the very end. Powers of X #1 is an issue that demands multiple readings in order to properly soak up all of the small details packed into the story. This is an issue that is truly worth every penny of the cover price. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    IGN - Jesse Schedeen Jul 31, 2019

    Powers of X #1 makes an even stronger case for Jonathan Hickman's ambitious X-Men saga than House of X #1. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Beyond The Panel - Jideobi Odunze Jul 31, 2019

    This right here is as daring as it gets. If you thought Hickman's present storyline for the X-Men was mindblowing in House of X #1? Powers of X #1 challenges you to think again. In fact, it challenges you to think harder than you ever have about the mutant's place on not only Earth, but the entirety of the universe! This right here is how you get readers and fans talking about the X-Men again. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Comics: The Gathering - Ryan.L Jul 31, 2019

    Hickman even though he is throwing so much at us and is not really giving any real answers, manages to keep you captivated. This world is so lush and heavy that you can't help but be pulled right in. The futures are unique, but also feel like they are familiar as well. That no matter what the X-Men do it is their destiny to end up in the same place or somewhere similar it seems. That being said, this is a powerhouse series you should be reading. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Henchman-4-Hire - Sean Ian Mills Aug 3, 2019

    Powers of X #1 is Bold with a capital “B” in terms of expanding Jonathan Hickman's new ideas, and that is really exciting. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Big Comic Page - Aug 5, 2019

    I like to think of House of X as the prelude to Powers of X, not just because it came first, but because House of X feels very stand-alone whereas in Powers of Xtheres a lot of forward momentum and direction. Either way, I cant recommend this book enough. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Newsarama - David Pepose Jul 30, 2019

    In the X-Men's world of unchecked evolution, is there even such a thing as justice or a happy ending? That's the mind-bending mystery at the heart of Powers of X " but if the answers he delivers are even half as satisfying as his questions he's posing, Jonathan Hickman and company stand to usher in a bold new era of X-Men storytelling. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    411Mania - Jeremy Thomas Aug 1, 2019

    The hope implied in House of X had a somewhat ominous edge to it, as if something wasn't quite right. Powers of X reinforces the idea that it won't last " not too surprising, really. It's the yin to the other book's yang, reflecting the constant duality of the X-Men franchise of tragedy and hope. While I suspect that House of X will be the more universally popular of the two books for this new arc thanks to the familiar characters and singular timeline thus far, I'm just as excited to see where into the future (and past) Powers of X takes us from here. Read Full Review

  • 8.7
    Sequential Planet - Marcus Orchard Jul 31, 2019

    Despite not being as accessible as House of X, Powers of X is another hit for Hickman and X-Men fans. There is a lot take in, a lot to speculate at, and a whole lot of neat things to be surprised by. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    All-Comic - Jeremy Matcho Aug 1, 2019

    If you're not excited for where Jonathan Hickman is taking the X-Men, you were never a fan to begin with. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Newsarama - Scott Cederlund Aug 5, 2019

    It's still early to understand what game Hickman and his cohorts are trying to pull off here. But it is exciting to be caught up in the familiar conflicts of the X-Men even as they are being reimagined. Read Full Review

  • 6.0
    The Beat - Alexander Jones Jul 31, 2019

    Hickman gives Silva a lot of opportunities in the script to tell a sequence in visually instead of deferring to exposition alone. I hope Hickman will be able to continue that trend and I found Silva to complement his script really nicely. I don't think I liked some of the text sequences quite as much as House of X #1, but there was still some much-needed additional context and worldbuilding in those pages. Read Full Review

  • 5.0
    Weird Science Marvel Comics - Jim Werner Jul 31, 2019

    After really digging House of X #1, I expected the same here and was sadly disappointed. As a new reader, I felt left behind and am not having enough fun to try to catch up. This issue feels like a showcase for Hickmans big brain and it was just not for me. I liked the art and will give these weekly books a fair shake, but if things keep going like this, I dont think Ill be sticking around. Read Full Review

  • 10
    cincyfan Apr 17, 2020

    tremendous book!

  • 10
    ooo Aug 6, 2019

    This is what a book should look and feel like.

  • 10
    gustave154 Aug 6, 2019

    Powers of X is such a great followup

  • 9.5
    AuthenticVIP Aug 18, 2019

    I am going to start with a statement: Even if you are NOT an X-Men fan, you should read Powers of X and House of X. Jonathan Hickman knows how to tell a story and he has years of content dedicated to the X-Men comics moving forward. I will elaborate on those titles when they become available. Until then...

    Powers of X is a new vision of the Marvel Mutants. It's a vision of the Past, Present and Future. And no not the Days of Future Past; but of a new vision told by someone unseen prior to the X-Family. A vision that will change the entire X-Verse going forward!

    From the first few pages of this title, it is obvious that Jonathan Hickman is setting up a new X-Men Universe. One that looks to be retconned from what we kno more

  • 9.5
    theregoesjodi Aug 1, 2019

    House of X #1 was a stunning, awe-inspiring debut that showed how committed Jonathan Hickman is to matching the feelings of the characters inhabiting his brave new X-world with those of the readers. In House of X, there's this palpable sense of inspiration, of hope renewed-- you truly feel like the mutants are moving forward after so any years of stagnation, ready to walk hand-in-hand into the future as they always should have. The tagline for the series is even "Face the Future."
    Well, Powers of X's tagline is "Fear the Future," and holy hell, do Hickman and his collaborators scare you in this issue.
    Taking place over 4 different time periods, House of X chronicles the past, present, and future of mutantkind. Mostly the future, t more

  • 9.5
    allenquanobi Jul 31, 2019

    Mystery deepens with this issue, Hickman once again shows how adept he is at connecting one story with two books. I like the different timelines and him taking influence from days of Future past, but with new characters and twists. RB Silva's art isn't as good as Pepe larraz's imo but it's still good, and Gracia's colors once again elevate the book greatly.

  • 9.5
    RocketedToEarth Jul 31, 2019

    I really liked House of X #1 but this is the book that gives me hope for this all to be a really good story.

  • 9.0
    Moolissuh Jul 14, 2024

    I would die for this series.

  • 9.0
    CrazyforRAMU Feb 27, 2020

    The flashback portion is tiny but does a much better job capturing my interest than the future bits, which lean heavily on science fiction clichés and expo-dumps. It's all fascinating, but it's drier and more cerebral than its sibling series.

  • 9.0
    Psycamorean Aug 6, 2019

    Not as much of a homerun as House of X #1, but it's compelling in its own, very different way. Gotta say, the pages of information are a godsend here. Without those, I don't think you could really grasp what was going on in this issue, which is a bit different from House of X where everything was still grounded in the familiar. And while it's obvious that you should read these pages and every reader probably does, that difference and that unfamiliarity may be what brings Powers of X down a little.

  • 9.0

    I liked this about as much as House of X.

  • 9.0
    Ryan Aug 1, 2019

    Powers of X 1 all but confirms that Jonathan Hickman is the best world builder of all time right up there next to Stan Lee, except Hickman can build whole worlds in 1 issue while it would take Stan 100s. For the issue itself, there were no flaws whatsoever and my only complaint is that the futuristic timelines seem kind of cliched in X-Men comics and Hickman’s take on a Mutant timeline wasn’t exactly unique

  • 9.0
    Kalaoui Aug 1, 2019

    Outstanding and well developed story especially for how little time we get for each X Timeline. I for one welcome the extra guides and pages to help set up the worlds which would normally take many issues to explain. It's like a small piece from a novel. Next I wanna see Hickman put in charts and a double page spread detailed timeline to help (although the questions posed aren't going to be answered fully for years?). I do like his delivery style as he delivers the goods and opens so many threads and questions along this story. It's beautiful too because RB Silva and Gracia make it look pretty darn good!

  • 9.0
    ohhaimark Jul 31, 2019

    THE GOOD:

    -Goddamn, I can't believe I'm not reading an Image comic or something similar. This is truly as close to creator owned as a comic from one of the big two will likely ever get.

    -I found this comic to be even more strange and unique than House, which is saying a lot considering just how ambitious that debut was.

    -I really liked how this comic showed us this X-Men world that Hickman has created through different times. Each of the story lines is compelling, despite the ambition, and it provides a nice context that other series in this new X-Men can build off of.

    -I am really liking just how intertwined these two series are. I don't know why the sales pitch didn't have me sold. For some re more

  • 9.0
    Tony Jul 31, 2019

    The art and colors are amazing, this book and House of X will have no problems in this regard.

    On the other hand, if House of X 1 allowed the reader to notice a new rebirth for the X-Men franchise, it is this number that really opens a new era for mutants. I like the new characters and the story seems interesting, there are important dialogues and you can feel how the story moves forward.

    At some point the "annexes", tables or graphs or explanations, etc., seemed a bit boring but I think they are needed to lay the foundations for everything that is coming. Certainly, sometimes it is somewhat confusing and it may be that new readers are totally lost but if you analyze all this as a single story you can conclude that Hi more

  • 8.5
    Screaming Enigma May 31, 2024

    This wasn't as great as House of X #1, but it was still a fairly strong debut issue. This feels a lot more complex and complicated than House of X, but it's still pretty intriguing. With the introduction of Krakoa seeming to be very promising, we go into the future to see a grim future for the X-Men, which is something they aren't all that unfamiliar with. All things considered, this was good stuff.

  • 8.5
    Rhinoeat Apr 20, 2021

    As sorta newbie I’m kinda lost but I like it!

  • 8.5
    I Review Comics Aug 11, 2019

    Powers of X #1 is a really good comic but it doesn't feel like an X-Men book despite the X-Title. What this issue most reminds me of Is Grant Morrison's last arc on X-Men, Here Comes Tomorrow. That arc was also a non-traditional X-Men story with a similar thematic backdrop. 

    In the Morrison story, the reader is transported into a far future in which a ragtag band of X-Men has to take down John Sublime, who had possessed Beast at some point in the timeline. The most notable thing about the story was the art from Mark Silvestri. It's not a story referenced often and usually only gets any mention at all because the linework was absolutely stunning. 

    "Here Comes Tomorrow" is similar to this story. Once again we're tran more

  • 8.5
    egonnn244 Aug 4, 2019

    "Powers of 10"

    This was excellent.

  • 8.5
    gaijin00 Aug 3, 2019

    Art - 8 - not the biggest fan. but i have to admit the way it is pencilled conveys a lot of emotion, and i feel the panels are organized very well.
    Story - 10 (holy crap HIckman is so good)
    Cover - 7 (could have been better. I just feel like IMO the cover does not do justice to how EPIC this book feels. Variant covers are fine i guess. It's just too... crowded

    At this point, I'm back to being an X-book fan and fully on board. Hickman's new status quo for the mutants are full of mystery, attitude, and the issue # 2 to his worldbuilding is quite frankly driving me nuts with anticipation.

  • 8.5
    EDiakota Aug 1, 2019

    "It's not a dream if it's real."

  • 8.5
    Linkush Jul 31, 2019

    Not as good as House of X as it seems to be less friendly to new readers, but still a very good issue that sets up the story in a rather exciting way.

  • 8.5
    thecomiccookebook Jul 31, 2019

    Not as immediately engaging as last week's House of X #1. This issue has a lot more information to assess and much of which won't be fully understood until the rest of the story unravels, which is why Hickman stories are so compelling and encourages multiple re-reads. R.B. Silva is very similar to Pepe Larraz in style with a little more more scratchiness. Again, the graphic design is the best and most important aspect of both series. Still very excited to see where this will go.

  • 8.0
    Spacey Medicine Sep 3, 2019

    Okay, but I am hesitant.

  • 7.0
    Valiant Son Aug 17, 2019

    Oh! What a confusing, and disappointing, mess. Maybe things will be cleared up in the future, but the problem here is that, as a single issue, this just doesn't work. It is overly convoluted, such that there is not really much of a story to follow. Hickman needs to keep in mind that this is an episodic form of storytelling, and each episode must be coherent in its own right: sadly, this issue isn't.

    Professor X is still a complete dick, which I like, because frankly he always has been an obnoxious paternalistic asshole. Other characters are, however, unclear. Too much new is introduced without time for it to bed in.

    The exposition sections are, like the main narrative, confusing: not enough is explained for them to be more

  • 5.0
    Pickleicious Jun 28, 2020

    I am of the opinion that revealing the future effects of a story arc undermines the current story arc itself. Why read about it when you already know how it turns out? And even if this is just one possibility and things aren't destined to end up this way, why reveal it at all? We don't know or care about any of these new characters so it's not all that interesting or easy to get invested in. The art is good if nothing special. I just didn't get this issue, especially after the strong promise of House of X #1.

  • 5.0
    Branden Murray Jul 31, 2019

    X-Men as a whole, despite this relaunch, remains largely inexcessible, and with Hickman now at the helm , and two issues in, to me it seems to remain no different. X fans will eat up the new direction however it's still very much the same flavor . Future timelines and butt hurt humans vs XMen ? I thought this was a relaunch .

    + LikeComment
  • 2.5
    Zack Anderson Jul 31, 2019

    After House of X, this was boring. Just like old Cable issues, I find it hard to care about new future characters. Also, 10 years between founding and present ignores the fact that it's been at LEAST 14 years Marvel time. This book sucks.

    + LikeComments (13)
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