284: Young X-Men # 1 - 5
- Matt Campbell
- Oct 10
- 2 min read
What’s Covered?
Young X-Men V1 # 1 - 5
Roster Watch
Synopsis
Young X-Men # 1- 5
Writer - Marc Guggenheim
Pencils - Yanick Paquette
Blindfold awakens from a haunting dream in which one of the new recruits dies. Meanwhile, Cyclops quietly begins gathering young mutants to form a new X‑team—their backs to the wall as the last line of defense. The initial group includes Rockslide, Wolf Cub, Ink, Blindfold, and Dust. We also learn that Santo refuses to join unless Blindfold is included. Cyclops charges them with the mission to take the fight to a resurrected Brotherhood of mutants.
The “new Brotherhood” manifests and it's the former New Mutants (Shan, Dani, Roberto, and Magma,) who are now the antagonists. Santo questions how they went from heroes to killers. Cyclops responds with a harsh truth: since Genosha, since M Day — it’s no longer about politics but survival. Ink and Blindfold take on a depowered Dani and manage to incapacitate her, but Ink unexpectedly turns on Blindfold with a shotgun blast. Meanwhile, Santo, Dust, and Wolf Cub fumble their attempt to assault Magma.
Magma retaliates by encasing Dust in glass, putting her life in grave danger. Wolf Cub nearly executes her before thinking twice. Meanwhile, Ink hands over Blindfold and Dani to a third party for money, betraying the very team he joined. The recruits realize Cyclops is not behind the betrayal—it was Donald Pierce pulling strings behind the scenes.
Graymalkin is introduced and is the one who confirms Scott’s suspicions that the mastermind is Pierce. He helps connect the dots, lending legitimacy to Cyclops’s faith in the recruits amidst chaos.
Feeling used, betrayed, and manipulated, the young X‑Men confront the emotional cost of their mission. Wolf Cub is particularly tormented by his earlier hesitation when he attacked Magma / Sunspot—not sure whether his instincts or loyalties failed him. In a cruel twist, Blindfold’s prophetic nightmare comes true: Wolf Cub becomes the casualty she foresaw.
My Connections and Creators
Boring or Great?
I'm giving this a solid 7/10. I was entertained. Didn't love it, didn't hate it. For the record, I fricken knew this wasn't Cyclops! Even though he's literally doing the same stuff in X-Force, I still just knew it wasn't him. I didn't know it was Donald Pierce though. I'm actually more intrigued seeing that there was a casualty (Wolf Cub.) I keep getting surprised at how little I know about this era of the X-Men, but that's good because there are genuine surprises in store for me with my reading.
Thoughts on Art
Paquette’s line work is clean and expressive, handling both the quieter dramatic moments and sudden bursts of violence effectively. The transitions between dreams, internal monologues, and team conflict feel smooth and compelling. The visual pacing—especially in moments like Dust’s glass transformation or Blindfold’s visions—enhances the tension across the run.
Things to keep an eye on
Wolf Cub’s death is a shocking and sobering moment that will ripple through future stories.
The betrayal by Ink and Pierce’s machinations redefines the villains’ reach, showing that even new teams aren’t isolated from the larger X‑Men conflicts.