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NYX (Collected Editions) #1+2
NYX: The Complete Collection
Collects NYX #1-7, No Way Home #1-6. Meet a pack of New York City gutterpunks — including the girl destined to one day become the All-New, All-Different Wolverine! Yes, X-23's journey of hardship begins in NYC, where Xavier's dream has failed a group of young mutants. These wayward angels with dirty faces must rely on themselves for everything from food to shelter to love. Just as the X-Men battle for their lives against super villains, these kids face their own fight for survival in the cold, harsh city that never sleeps against the backdrop of their species' nigh-extinction. The world of the X-Men hits the streets in this gritty and offbeat different series!
357 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 12, 2016
24 people are currently reading
116 people want to read
About the author
Joe Quesada
480 books46 followersJoseph "Joe" Quesada (born January 12, 1962)is an American comic book editor, writer and artist.
He became known in the 1990s for his work on various Valiant Comics books, such as Ninjak and Solar, Man of the Atom.
He later worked on numerous books for DC Comics and Marvel Comics, such as Batman: Sword of Azrael and X-Factor, before forming his own company, Event Comics, where he published his creator-owned character, Ash.
He became known in the 1990s for his work on various Valiant Comics books, such as Ninjak and Solar, Man of the Atom.
He later worked on numerous books for DC Comics and Marvel Comics, such as Batman: Sword of Azrael and X-Factor, before forming his own company, Event Comics, where he published his creator-owned character, Ash.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
September 9, 2017
Disclaimer: If you're looking to read this because of X-23, then I wouldn't bother. She's in 3 issues, and doesn't say much in them. Just go straight to the Complete X-23 Volume 1 instead or something.
With that out of the way, NYX is a weird book. It doesn't feel very Marvel - it's gritty, and real, and very personal. There are no superheroes. No supervillains. Sure, there are mutants, but these aren't the X-Men. They're real kids, with real problems, like trying to find somewhere to live, or eat, or just not get shot by gang-bangers.
The first mini-series is written by Joe Quesada (yes, that one), and introduces Kiden Nixon, a teenager who discovers her time-stopping mutant powers and ends up running away from home. With the help of her ghost father (and that's never explained, so don't even ask), she assembles a new family - Cameron Palmer, her high school guidance counselor, X-23, a prostitute (again, don't ask), Tatiana, a mutant who transforms when exposed to blood, and Bobby Soul, who can possess people at the cost of his own memories.
These characters take the entirety of the seven issues to come together, but it's a story about found family and overcoming hardship, about how your normal might not be the same as everyone else's, and that's okay. Again, not your usual Marvel fare.
The second series is by Marjorie Liu, who would pilot X-23's adventures for the most part at Marvel, and brings these characters back, sans X-23 for no explained reason, as they're placed in the crosshairs of some very creepy folks. Unfortunately this story ultimately seems to go nowhere, as the series ends very abruptly, casting the characters out into the wind with no resolution to what the hell was going on. I'm a little disappointed, since there were a lot of questions I would have liked answered overall.
Helped in maintaining its gritty realism and detachment from the Marvel universe is the art by Josh Middleton, Robert Teranishi, Kalman Andrasofszky and Sara Pichelli, whose styles feel very surreal and different to the usual Marvel house style. The first series is especially bright and colourful, but it all still feels muted and weird, seen through an odd lens. It's hard to explain, but it really helps.
NYX is a strange book. Don't come for X-23, but come for the fact that it's unlike anything Marvel have published for a long time. It almost feels like an indie book with a Marvel stamp on it. Not sure if I'd recommend it to everyone, but it's definitely worth a look for an off-kilter X-book.
With that out of the way, NYX is a weird book. It doesn't feel very Marvel - it's gritty, and real, and very personal. There are no superheroes. No supervillains. Sure, there are mutants, but these aren't the X-Men. They're real kids, with real problems, like trying to find somewhere to live, or eat, or just not get shot by gang-bangers.
The first mini-series is written by Joe Quesada (yes, that one), and introduces Kiden Nixon, a teenager who discovers her time-stopping mutant powers and ends up running away from home. With the help of her ghost father (and that's never explained, so don't even ask), she assembles a new family - Cameron Palmer, her high school guidance counselor, X-23, a prostitute (again, don't ask), Tatiana, a mutant who transforms when exposed to blood, and Bobby Soul, who can possess people at the cost of his own memories.
These characters take the entirety of the seven issues to come together, but it's a story about found family and overcoming hardship, about how your normal might not be the same as everyone else's, and that's okay. Again, not your usual Marvel fare.
The second series is by Marjorie Liu, who would pilot X-23's adventures for the most part at Marvel, and brings these characters back, sans X-23 for no explained reason, as they're placed in the crosshairs of some very creepy folks. Unfortunately this story ultimately seems to go nowhere, as the series ends very abruptly, casting the characters out into the wind with no resolution to what the hell was going on. I'm a little disappointed, since there were a lot of questions I would have liked answered overall.
Helped in maintaining its gritty realism and detachment from the Marvel universe is the art by Josh Middleton, Robert Teranishi, Kalman Andrasofszky and Sara Pichelli, whose styles feel very surreal and different to the usual Marvel house style. The first series is especially bright and colourful, but it all still feels muted and weird, seen through an odd lens. It's hard to explain, but it really helps.
NYX is a strange book. Don't come for X-23, but come for the fact that it's unlike anything Marvel have published for a long time. It almost feels like an indie book with a Marvel stamp on it. Not sure if I'd recommend it to everyone, but it's definitely worth a look for an off-kilter X-book.
August 4, 2016
3,5 Lost and Found Stars
Engrossing storyline, touching situations and characters development, still a lot of unanswered questions that only made me want to have more to read. The world of young, poor, lost mutants is as fascinating as it is scary. I wonder why x-23 didn't show up in the new installments as all the rest stayed together and the change of hands in the artwork was noticeable, not in a pejorative way, just clearly. Great covers.
Engrossing storyline, touching situations and characters development, still a lot of unanswered questions that only made me want to have more to read. The world of young, poor, lost mutants is as fascinating as it is scary. I wonder why x-23 didn't show up in the new installments as all the rest stayed together and the change of hands in the artwork was noticeable, not in a pejorative way, just clearly. Great covers.
July 3, 2020
(2,2 of 5 for whatever this below mediocre comics this is)
This book is two parts, first (longer) story is by Joe Quesada, and the story is OK, king of teenage growing up in suburbs thing (only with some x-men mutant stuff). The art is very "hack", I hardly find some beauty or finesse, only "just put it on the page already". The second part from Marjorie Liu looks better, but it feels like one of "superhero generic" styles. But the whole book is a level of art I do not care who did it. But the second part is at least bearable. In means of art. The story, unlike the first par, is no good. All over the place, chaotic, incoherent and overall not appealing.
This book is two parts, first (longer) story is by Joe Quesada, and the story is OK, king of teenage growing up in suburbs thing (only with some x-men mutant stuff). The art is very "hack", I hardly find some beauty or finesse, only "just put it on the page already". The second part from Marjorie Liu looks better, but it feels like one of "superhero generic" styles. But the whole book is a level of art I do not care who did it. But the second part is at least bearable. In means of art. The story, unlike the first par, is no good. All over the place, chaotic, incoherent and overall not appealing.
January 12, 2020
Well, that was... weird.
First thing, if like me you think this deals with X-23 like the cover suggests, think again. Laura is actually in the first volume - as a near mute prostitute (???)- and she pops her claws twice but she is absolutely not the main character. I'm not even sure why she's in it at all to be honest.
Anyway, X-23 or not it still remains, well, weird. I'm not sure what's this all about, NY mutant teenagers discovering their powers, a ghost, a psycho pimp... where does that lead? Beats me. The second volume doesn't actually fare better. It's even more confusing, with strange deals made with shadowy organisations and still no real end.
So I won't tell you I liked this book because of the plot, not the worst ever but confusing and seemingly going nowhere in particular. No, I liked this book because of its overall feel, strange contrast between moral and physical violence opposed to peculiar pastel-colored art. Don't be deceived by the nice -though somehow "through lens"- art of vol.1. It's a rather grim story, where teenagers are abused by other teenagers, by neglecting parents, by their violent neighborhood. Of homelessness and urban survival. And it's a Marvel book!
Quite surprising to see such a dark themed story with teenagers involved from the House of Ideas, usually reluctant to go to such ends.
That was weird but somewhat different from your average Marvel comic book. Fair enough.
First thing, if like me you think this deals with X-23 like the cover suggests, think again. Laura is actually in the first volume - as a near mute prostitute (???)- and she pops her claws twice but she is absolutely not the main character. I'm not even sure why she's in it at all to be honest.
Anyway, X-23 or not it still remains, well, weird. I'm not sure what's this all about, NY mutant teenagers discovering their powers, a ghost, a psycho pimp... where does that lead? Beats me. The second volume doesn't actually fare better. It's even more confusing, with strange deals made with shadowy organisations and still no real end.
So I won't tell you I liked this book because of the plot, not the worst ever but confusing and seemingly going nowhere in particular. No, I liked this book because of its overall feel, strange contrast between moral and physical violence opposed to peculiar pastel-colored art. Don't be deceived by the nice -though somehow "through lens"- art of vol.1. It's a rather grim story, where teenagers are abused by other teenagers, by neglecting parents, by their violent neighborhood. Of homelessness and urban survival. And it's a Marvel book!
Quite surprising to see such a dark themed story with teenagers involved from the House of Ideas, usually reluctant to go to such ends.
That was weird but somewhat different from your average Marvel comic book. Fair enough.
October 12, 2019
This is not my thing, so take this with as many grains of salt as you like. I knew that going in, but I wanted to read the first appearance of X-23. Wasn't worth it. She barely talks and there's no character development or explanation of who she really is.
This is not a superhero book. It's kids with superpowers in what I assume is supposed to be more realistic setting. (As a boring suburban, I can't speak to the accuracy.) There's drugs and gang violence and homelessness. It's not written well. Like, at one point, one of the characters says "I don't think we have a choice," and Kiden says "There's always a choice." And then on the next page, Kiden says "I don't think we have a choice." And I don't like the art. I'm a black-and-white art snob. This style of skinny outlines, relying on the color to give it any kind of depth or personality, is not something I like looking at.
So, yeah, this was not to my taste at all. Your mileage may vary.
This is not a superhero book. It's kids with superpowers in what I assume is supposed to be more realistic setting. (As a boring suburban, I can't speak to the accuracy.) There's drugs and gang violence and homelessness. It's not written well. Like, at one point, one of the characters says "I don't think we have a choice," and Kiden says "There's always a choice." And then on the next page, Kiden says "I don't think we have a choice." And I don't like the art. I'm a black-and-white art snob. This style of skinny outlines, relying on the color to give it any kind of depth or personality, is not something I like looking at.
So, yeah, this was not to my taste at all. Your mileage may vary.
April 26, 2019
This book talks about a lot of teenagers that has “superpowers”. They can do weird things, such as read someone’s mind and get their “nails” long to scratch someone else. They do not know that they have powers and they keep trying to manage and control themselves to make good decisions. This graphic novel has a lot of different stories and it is kinda hard to understand the story on itself. I did enjoy the book because it has a lot of illustrations that make you understand it with a “better view”. I don’t think that the story is interesting, I was lost in most of the pages. But i recommend that book for those who like illustrations and graphic novels. One thing that make the book really interesting to me, is that one of the characters is the Wolverine’s daughter. And I am a really bug fan of Wolverine and all of the Marvel characters. If you want to know more about the book, you should read that and see what you think. But I found that good and I would recommend that 85%. It tells us a lot about friendship and about family.
April 28, 2021
I picked this collection of NYX stories up from the library after reading Where the Heart Lives and checking to see what else Ms Liu has put out recently. It came up in the search, and since X23 is one of my must-read Marvel characters, I gave it a go.
Honestly, though, I wasn't a fan. I mean, X23 does appear in it, but she's only a supporting character without a huge amount of page time in the collection overall.
And beyond that, I didn't really gel with any of the characters in there... except for *maybe* Bobby Soul. Everyone else just felt like... things kept happening to them and they drifted from one crisis to the next without any real sense of agency or motivation that would make it *their* story. There wasn't really even a sense of a plot arc across the graphic novel other than "misfit gutter rat mutants somehow end up thrown together and then stuff happens to them and then more stuff also happens to them".
The final volume in the collection: 2008 1-6 looked like it was developing a plot, but... I didn't get any sense of resolution or story closure from where it ended, and just found myself thinking, "Huh? And?" as I finished the last pages.
Plus, I have to say that the approach to race in this made me feel squirmy. Looking at Black/POC characters, we have Bobby Soul as a main character, and the doctor who heals Tatiana as a supporting character in the very last last volume. Outside of that? Pretty much all the bad guys across all the volumes are Black or Latino gangbangers, the Latina highschool mean girls in the first collection, or the one white female character in the end collection who's involved in capturing the "good" guys.
Meanwhile, the "good" guys include Kiden (definitely white), , Cameron (also definitely white), X23 (probably white) and Tatiana (possssssibly POC of some description, although I'm not sure and could just as easily be white)
In short, there's a racial split of good guys to bad guys here that really makes me uncomfortable, and I'd really like to have seen either more white bad guys, more Black/POC good guys, or both to get some semblence of balance.
So overall, this wasn't a collection that wowed me, and I'm not likely to pick up any other Nyx collections I see in future.
Honestly, though, I wasn't a fan. I mean, X23 does appear in it, but she's only a supporting character without a huge amount of page time in the collection overall.
And beyond that, I didn't really gel with any of the characters in there... except for *maybe* Bobby Soul. Everyone else just felt like... things kept happening to them and they drifted from one crisis to the next without any real sense of agency or motivation that would make it *their* story. There wasn't really even a sense of a plot arc across the graphic novel other than "misfit gutter rat mutants somehow end up thrown together and then stuff happens to them and then more stuff also happens to them".
The final volume in the collection: 2008 1-6 looked like it was developing a plot, but... I didn't get any sense of resolution or story closure from where it ended, and just found myself thinking, "Huh? And?" as I finished the last pages.
Plus, I have to say that the approach to race in this made me feel squirmy. Looking at Black/POC characters, we have Bobby Soul as a main character, and the doctor who heals Tatiana as a supporting character in the very last last volume. Outside of that? Pretty much all the bad guys across all the volumes are Black or Latino gangbangers, the Latina highschool mean girls in the first collection, or the one white female character in the end collection who's involved in capturing the "good" guys.
Meanwhile, the "good" guys include Kiden (definitely white), , Cameron (also definitely white), X23 (probably white) and Tatiana (possssssibly POC of some description, although I'm not sure and could just as easily be white)
In short, there's a racial split of good guys to bad guys here that really makes me uncomfortable, and I'd really like to have seen either more white bad guys, more Black/POC good guys, or both to get some semblence of balance.
So overall, this wasn't a collection that wowed me, and I'm not likely to pick up any other Nyx collections I see in future.
February 6, 2019
Just a few quick thoughts about NYX: The Complete Collection...
The art is fantastic throughout.
The first story feels much stronger in my opinion. The main theme being that this world is anshitty place and sometimes shitty things happen to people and all you can really do is look out for each other and survive as best you can.
The second story was intriguing but also a little confusing and unsatisfying. There's some grander plot happening that we never understand or really see much of...we never meet the villain..it all feels like the first part of a larger story. I don't know if it's picked up in later X-23 stories or not but NYX: No Way Home feels incomplete. Which is a shame because it felt like it could go somewhere really good.
The art is fantastic throughout.
The first story feels much stronger in my opinion. The main theme being that this world is anshitty place and sometimes shitty things happen to people and all you can really do is look out for each other and survive as best you can.
The second story was intriguing but also a little confusing and unsatisfying. There's some grander plot happening that we never understand or really see much of...we never meet the villain..it all feels like the first part of a larger story. I don't know if it's picked up in later X-23 stories or not but NYX: No Way Home feels incomplete. Which is a shame because it felt like it could go somewhere really good.
December 10, 2018
I picked this up out of curiosity. For those who didn't know, NYX is where X-23 first premiered. It's rather jarring that's she's a central part of the first mini-series but is nowhere to be seen in the second. Obviously it's because she became a popular character in her own right.
The art in the first mini-series is actually a lot of fun to read. It had a very digital look, the coloring is very expressive.
The story itself seems to be unnecessarily violent and shocking for the sake of gratuitousness. A lot of bad things happen to the protagonists that just seem capricious on the part of the creators. That doesn't appeal to me, really.
The art in the first mini-series is actually a lot of fun to read. It had a very digital look, the coloring is very expressive.
The story itself seems to be unnecessarily violent and shocking for the sake of gratuitousness. A lot of bad things happen to the protagonists that just seem capricious on the part of the creators. That doesn't appeal to me, really.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 28, 2017
More accurately a 3.5
Mostly enjoyed, but as other comments mentioned, the cover is a bit odd since Laura Kinney doesn't show up for nearly half the book with no explanation as to where she went aside from it's a new writer 5 years later. It also seems to conclude with a lot of loose ends, which is odd for what seemed like a pretty straightforward storyline otherwise. Either way, it's intriguing and pretty gritty, and it's the first appearance of X-23, so that's cool.
Mostly enjoyed, but as other comments mentioned, the cover is a bit odd since Laura Kinney doesn't show up for nearly half the book with no explanation as to where she went aside from it's a new writer 5 years later. It also seems to conclude with a lot of loose ends, which is odd for what seemed like a pretty straightforward storyline otherwise. Either way, it's intriguing and pretty gritty, and it's the first appearance of X-23, so that's cool.
June 14, 2020
There are some large problems with this, #1 being that everyone needs to quit writing it as an X-23 book because it isn't, she is hardly in here and doesn't speak and then is gone without any reason.
#2.... we aren't going to let anyone finish this? We don't know who the bad guys even are after all that? Is Kiden's dad a mutant too? And if her mother missed her and wanted to find her why didn't she leave a forwarding address, shouldn't have been that hard...
#2.... we aren't going to let anyone finish this? We don't know who the bad guys even are after all that? Is Kiden's dad a mutant too? And if her mother missed her and wanted to find her why didn't she leave a forwarding address, shouldn't have been that hard...
June 29, 2025
(Zero spoiler review)
I read this a couple of weeks ago and forgot that I hadn't actually dropped a review for this yet, though that is likely because this absolute, unmitigated trash is so painfully forgettable. Which in many ways is a godsend, as it would be rather unpleasant if this was memorable, unmitigated, painful trash. Avoid as vociferously as Disney Marvel avoid putting masculine men in positions of authority and influence. 1/5
OmniBen.
I read this a couple of weeks ago and forgot that I hadn't actually dropped a review for this yet, though that is likely because this absolute, unmitigated trash is so painfully forgettable. Which in many ways is a godsend, as it would be rather unpleasant if this was memorable, unmitigated, painful trash. Avoid as vociferously as Disney Marvel avoid putting masculine men in positions of authority and influence. 1/5
OmniBen.
August 2, 2025
I never read these back in 2003 and 2008 when they came out and was expecting grimdark cringe, but if you ignore some of the unfortunate casual misogyny and ableism, it's actually a great little story about teenage runaway mutants. I'm glad Kiden is back in the post-Krakoa era but reading this, I wish for the rest of her squad to get some chapters added to their stories.
October 14, 2025
NYX volume 1 is an incredibly compelling look at mutantkind post-Decimation that functions allegorically as a story about teenagers discovering their sexuality coded as mutant abilities. Volume 2’s inclusion creates a slight disjointedness since X-23 disappears from the overarching narrative between stories.
July 23, 2018
I guess there was a period of time where no one thought X-23 would have a real future as a character, so why not throw her in here?
The book's take on race also felt kind at least weird.
Did any of this ever resolve anywhere?
The book's take on race also felt kind at least weird.
Did any of this ever resolve anywhere?
July 3, 2017
Great series collection.
NYX:The complete collection Vol 2 is fantastic reading and I enjoyed it. I didn't think that I would because of the tablet. I was wrong.
NYX:The complete collection Vol 2 is fantastic reading and I enjoyed it. I didn't think that I would because of the tablet. I was wrong.
June 20, 2018
this book was so hard to follow AND it felt like it was written by someone who was like Ah Yes Hello Fellow Youth
June 27, 2021
dnf @ pg 213
August 18, 2022
2.5 bumped up to 3 because the storyline was engrossing, but it just sort of ends? like the author just ... ran out of steam.
December 3, 2022
“We keep surviving.”
I wish there was more because it truly leaves off at a very good and interesting jumping off point.
3.5
I wish there was more because it truly leaves off at a very good and interesting jumping off point.
3.5
September 6, 2024
El segundo volumen aquí compilado demerita la gran historia del volumen 1
January 6, 2025
This series is like X-Men refracted through an early 2000s white rapper’s music video. Usually it’s in a bad way, but sometimes it’s kinda catchy!
February 4, 2025
Was going to be 2 but the ending hints at a sequal.
December 1, 2025
NYX Wannabe 4/5
NYX No Way Home 2/5
Buying complete was. Not worth it.
My bad I guess for thinking this was a necessary part of X23’s story… ITS NOT!
NYX No Way Home 2/5
Buying complete was. Not worth it.
My bad I guess for thinking this was a necessary part of X23’s story… ITS NOT!
March 6, 2017
Laura is not the central character even though she's on the cover art. Kiden and her new family are the central characters.
Still, a good read. I think they we just throwing in more mature content for the sake of being more mature, though. The adult situations felt natural in the story, but there were too many shots of almost female nudity that felt forced.
Still, a good read. I think they we just throwing in more mature content for the sake of being more mature, though. The adult situations felt natural in the story, but there were too many shots of almost female nudity that felt forced.
February 28, 2017
Just couldn't get into. Found the story confusing.
May 25, 2017
That was a lot darker than I expected from Marvel. I'm not sure what else to say about it, other than expect a lot of blood and grit, a deeper look at the dark places Marvel is usually reluctant to go.
January 24, 2017
Really dark and gritty story featuring Laura Kinney & new mutants surviving tough lives on the streets of NYC without the help of Xavier & the X-Men. Mature themes so this is a great book for adults but not kids. Love the writing and new characters.
November 13, 2016
It ends very abruptly. Still, excellent characters and writing though. Good nostalgia for the decade previous to this review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews