DNX #2: Reheated Dinner

For a frame of reference, the reading order for this week of the DNX event is DNX #2, X-Men #38, and Fantastic Four #17.

Unlike last issue, which relegated a few characters to the background for the sake of room for exposition, each character is given some page space in DNX #2. The X-Men divide and conquer 3K’s airship while Reed Richards and Beast try to save Magneto and reignite his mutant powers.

In DNX’s second issue, Psylocke faces off against Pyschovore, the mind-eating 3K mutant. Their fight is split up across the issue and effectively captures what makes Psylocke so interesting: her lethal ninja aesthetic and long-term role as one of the X-Men’s best fighters.

The Alaskan X-Men are able to shut down 3K’s bargain-bin mutants pretty easily. The story from this point turns to overwrought exposition about morality and the friendship between the Chairman and Cyclops. This turn of events, coupled with an abrupt late issue twist, undermines the entire story of DNX #2, turning it into what reads as a filler issue.

Federico Vicentini’s line art, combined with the glossy texturing provided by Curiel’s colors, is chock full of details. The pages have a strong sense of distance from the camera, stacking characters over the top of each other in a scene, which adds to the chaotic nature of their battles. There’s enough panel variety to avoid monotone pacing, but the issue doesn’t do anything surprising with its visual structure beyond a few slanted panel gutters that give the action a readable sense of motion.