Midnight: X Men Issue 1 Turns Mutants Into Terrifying Predators

The latest release in the Midnight Universe, Midnight: X Men Issue 1, throws readers right into a chaotic war between mutants and vampiric factions. While it feels a bit less gory than its companion titles, it carries a heavy dose of supernatural and biblical horror. We follow a young girl named Hope as she gets pulled into a conflict where the X Men themselves have become the monsters.

Writer Jonathan Hickman prioritizes building a rich history for this dark version of the Marvel universe. Because the war is already well underway, figuring out the alliances can be tricky, but it is deeply rewarding. Familiar faces like Nightcrawler appear in new roles, such as a priest, adding to the tension as mutant hunters like the Purifiers lean into a more religious, fanatical approach to combat.

The artwork by Matteo Della Fonte captures the terror perfectly. The non mutant vampires look genuinely ghoulish and disturbing, featuring a mix of organic horror and techno horror elements. In contrast, the vampiric mutants keep a sharper, more recognizable appearance, which makes the sudden bursts of violence between former allies feel even more jarring.

Midnight: X Men Issue 1 stands out as a cohesive and thought provoking start to this limited series. It shifts the focus from simple shock value to character driven horror, making for an engrossing read. You can pick up the first issue at your local comic shop now to see how the mutant population survives this dark new plague.