NYX is the second volume of the American superhero comic book series NYX by Marvel Comics. The series focuses on former X-Men students (especially from the Academy X era) and Kamala Khan as they adapt to life in New York City in the post-Krakoan Age, when mutants are hated and feared even more due to the actions of Orchis. Laura Kinney (formerly X-23) was the only announced returning character from the original 2003 series; Kiden Nixon returned in the second half of the series.
Publication History
The second volume of NYX was announced by Marvel Comics' Editor-in-Chief C.B. Cebulski and VP/Executive Editor Tom Brevoort during the "Future of Marvel Comics' X-Men and Digital Comics" panel at South by Southwest (SXSW) on March 14, 2024, as part of the X-Men: From the Ashes relaunch. In April 2024, it was revealed that the series would focus on young mutants in New York City after the end of the Krakoan Age. The ongoing series was written by Collin Kelly and Jackson Lanzing with art by Francesco Mortarino. The first issue was released in July 2024. The series ended with issue #10 in April 2025.
Lanzing noted that the series' influences include pulling Academy X plot lines and characters "forward in this new era" and the noir aspect of Mutant Town from Peter David's latter-day X-Factor. Each issue of NYX is titled by the character's human name rather than their mutant name, reflecting the world they are living in.
Michael Shelfer and Enid Balam served as artists for issues #6 and #7, respectively. Mortarino returned as artist for issues #8–10. NYX (vol. 2) #9 was the second part of the eight-issue X-Manhunt crossover event, released in March 2025.
Regarding the cancellation, Lanzing stated they knew in advance NYX would end, allowing them to include a finale for the characters. Kamala Khan's story continued in Giant-Size X-Men (vol. 2) #1 (May 2025). Jonathan Jones of AIPT noted that "the exact reason for the cancellation is unclear, but the book's sales data and a stated desire by Senior X-Editor Tom Brevoort to shift attention away from stories on Krakoan aftermath are likely contributing factors."
Creative Team
| Role | Name |
|---|---|
| Writers | Collin Kelly and Jackson Lanzing |
| Artists | Francesco Mortarino, Michael Shelfer, Enid Balam |
| Letterer | Joe Sabino |
| Colorist | Raúl Angulo |
| Editor | Annalise Bissa |
Main Characters
The series is structured by having a different point-of-view character for each issue.
- Kamala Khan – A mutant/Inhuman hybrid also known as Ms. Marvel, who commutes from Jersey City to the Lower East Side of Manhattan. She attends Empire State University (ESU) and is enrolled in the "Examinations of Post-Krakoan Diaspora" class.
- Laura Kinney – The former X-23 who now goes by the codename Wolverine; she operates as a hero in Brooklyn focused on saving mutants in the Bushwick area.
- Anole – A former X-Men student and former proprietor of the Green Lagoon tiki bar on Krakoa, now working as a bartender in New York City.
- Prodigy (David Alleyne) – A former X-Men student who works as a historian focusing on mutant history. He is a professor at ESU, teaching the diaspora course that Kamala and Sophie attend.
- Sophie Cuckoo – A former X-Men student attempting to find her way without her identical sisters. She attends ESU and is in the diaspora class.
- Kiden Nixon – One of Laura's oldest friends from their time in District X (New York City). Lost in the timestream, she was missing during the Krakoan Age and reappears during a Dazzler concert.
- Synch – A former X-Men student who once led the X-Men; since the fall of Krakoa, he has wandered before arriving in New York City.
- Hellion (Julian Keller) – A former X-Men student who went through Krakoa's Crucible, resulting in his death and subsequent resurrection via mutant resurrection protocols. He reappears as the villain known as the Krakoan.
- Local – A technopath mutant who works for Mr. Friend, a mutant corpse puppeted by Mojo.
Plot Summary
Part 1 (Issues #1–5)
Kamala Khan starts attending Empire State University and befriends Sophie Cuckoo. They visit Anole at his bartending job and clash with anti-mutant bigots called the Truthseekers. Kamala, as Ms. Marvel, investigates them but is warned off by Wolverine. Kamala saves the Truthseekers from the mutant radical known as the Krakoan, later revealed to be Julian Keller. Julian, along with Empath and the Stepford Cuckoos, forms a new Quiet Council aiming to turn New York into a haven for mutants.
Wolverine investigates a criminal organization led by Mr. Friend (revealed to be Mojo) and is injured. Anole joins the Morlocks, who have kept Krakoa's culture alive in their sewer hideout. Kamala uncovers the Krakoan's identity and confronts him but is betrayed by Sophie. Prodigy rescues Kamala and defeats Julian. Both Julian and Prodigy are arrested; Prodigy is released but fired from his teaching position.
The Truthseekers, secretly a front for the Purifiers, protest against mutant presence while the New York City Council votes on a bill to relocate mutants into ghettos. A remorseful Sophie reconciles with Kamala and reveals Empath's role in escalating anti-mutant sentiment. The mutants organize a counterprotest; Sophie breaks the Cuckoos' control over the council, and Ms. Marvel delivers a speech for peaceful coexistence, revealing her mutant status. The council votes against the bill.
Part 2 (Issues #6–10)
Kiden Nixon emerges from the timestream to help Laura and friends prevent Mojo's lieutenant Local from hijacking a Dazzler concert. Prodigy establishes NYX, a community center for mutants and humans. Synch challenges Prodigy to a Circle Perilous duel, which ends in a stalemate. Kamala discovers her cousin Bilal has become an anti-mutant vigilante called the Truthseeker.
During X-Manhunt and One World Under Doom, Professor X visits NYX for help reclaiming the last seed of Krakoa from Emperor Doom. Ms. Marvel and Anole accompany Xavier but are abandoned when he recovers his Cerebro helmet. Mojo uses the seed's powers to transform New York into "Mojo City." The mutants rally together to break Mojo's influence and defeat him. Kamala reveals her identity to Bilal, who retreats but warns her not to tell her family. The issue ends with a despondent Kamala distancing herself from her mutant friends.
Collected Editions
| Title | Material Collected | Published Date | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| NYX: What Comes Next Will Be Marvelous | NYX (2024) #1–5 | March 11, 2025 | ISBN 978-1-3029-5932-6 |
| NYX: Mojo City | NYX (2024) #6–10 | August 20, 2025 | ISBN 978-1-3025-3340-3 |
Reception
Jenna Anderson of ComicBook.com described NYX #1 as "a charming, albeit restrained, menagerie of Marvel's mutant adolescence," praising Francesco Mortarino's art and Raul Angulo's color work, though noting the script felt "a little shallow" at times. David Brooke of AIPT rated NYX #1 a 9 out of 10, calling it "strong" and praising the character work. Tim Rooney of The Beat gave the issue a "skip" verdict, finding the script underwhelming despite interesting ideas.
Chris Miller of Screen Rant highlighted that the series' strength lies in its "sense of scale" and focus on community, showing Xavier's dream in action through young mutants taking a different approach. Following the series' cancellation, Jonathan Jones of AIPT noted that NYX "has always been an underdog" and that "Marvel seemed to continually face difficulty in selling this book, even if it has been widely praised by those who took a chance on it."
