X-MEN #32 (MARVEL COMICS)

The Anomaly arc continues and ups the ante from the first part. As the X-Men try to figure out what’s going on with Schwarzschild’s gravitic anomalies, they are confronted by Department H. Now the X-Men will have to try and save them from the anomalies while being under attack from them at the same time.

X-Men #32 - Written By Jed MacKay - Penicils By Tony S. Daniel – Inks By Mark Morales - Colors By Fer Sifuentes-Sujo - Letters By VC’S Clayton Cowles-Edited By Tom Brevoort - Published By Marvel Comics

Credit: Marvel Comics

*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***

STORY OVERVIEW:

As the X-Men continue to try and figure out what’s going on with the anomaly coming from Schwarzschild they are confronted by Department H. Know Beast must direct the X-Men on two fronts. First stabilizing Schwarzschild to stop the gravitic anomalies to regain stability and secondly saving the agents from Department H from said anomalies. But before he can make a call, another gravitic spike hits and takes out an airship. Beast decides to split the team up, sending Quentin and Ben to enter Schwarzschild’s head and defuse what 3K did to him. He then leads a the rest of the team to save the crew of the crashed ship, and lastly, he restores Magneto’s power with DX to help protect the other airships from the anomalies. This three-pronged approach comes with its own challenges that need to be solved.

WRITING:

This issue raises the stakes in a big way by surrounding the X-Men with problems from every possible direction. Jed MacKay keeps the pressure high throughout the chapter, making it feel like the team never has a chance to fully catch their breath. The mystery surrounding Schwarzschild’s gravitic anomalies is already dangerous enough, but the arrival of Department H adds another layer of conflict that makes the situation even more complicated. Instead of facing a single clear enemy, the X-Men are forced to deal with collapsing environments, hostile agents, and the unstable consequences of 3K’s interference all at once.

What makes the writing work is how MacKay breaks the crisis into several smaller emergencies that each test a different part of the team. Quentin and Ben entering Schwarzschild’s mind gives the issue a more psychological edge, especially because Ben’s anger toward 3K threatens to cloud his judgment at the worst possible time. Beast, meanwhile, has to take command in the field and lead the rescue of Department H agents who are not exactly eager to accept help from mutants. That tension gives the action more weight because the X-Men are not only trying to save lives, they are trying to do it while being treated as the enemy.

MacKay also understands the dramatic risk of bringing Magneto back into play with his powers restored. Even when Magneto is on the right side of the conflict, his presence changes the scale of the story and adds a sense of unpredictability. The issue feels like one long countdown, with every decision carrying the possibility of making things better or much worse. By stacking a ticking emotional crisis on top of a literal physical disaster, MacKay gives this issue strong momentum and makes the next part of the arc feel even more urgent.

ARTWORK:

The art team gives this issue a strong visual identity that matches the urgency of the story. Tony S. Daniel’s pencils are sharp and expressive, making the action feel big without losing sight of the characters at the center of each scene. The panels involving the gravitic anomalies have a real sense of danger because the environments feel unstable and unpredictable. Airships, debris, and collapsing spaces all help sell the idea that the X-Men are dealing with a crisis that can spiral out of control at any moment.

Mark Morales’ inks give the pages a clean, polished finish while still allowing the heavier moments to feel intense. The linework helps separate the different layers of action, which is especially important when the issue shifts between the rescue efforts, the psychic mission inside Schwarzschild’s mind, and Magneto stepping back into the field. Fer Sifuentes-Sujo’s colors add a lot to the mood as well, using bold energy effects and dramatic contrasts to make the anomalies stand out from the more grounded scenes. Those color choices help the reader immediately understand when the situation is becoming more dangerous.

What stands out most is how easy the issue is to follow even when several things are happening at once. The layouts keep the momentum moving, but they do not become cluttered or confusing. Character expressions also do a lot of work, particularly in scenes where fear, anger, or determination are driving the moment. The visuals make the large-scale disaster feel exciting while also keeping the emotional stakes clear. Overall, the artwork makes this issue feel cinematic, energetic, and worthy of the escalating threat at the center of the arc.

Check Out My Review of X-Men #31

Final Thoughts:

X-Men #32 is a strong continuation of the Anomaly arc that builds on the mystery, danger, and team dynamics from the previous issue. Overall, this is another exciting chapter that pushes the arc forward, raises the stakes for what comes next, and reminds readers why this X-Men team works so well when they are forced to think, fight, and adapt under pressure. If you’re following the current run, this is definitely an issue worth picking up at your LCS this week.

FINAL GRADE: 8.8/10

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