[REVIEW] X-MEN: FROM THE ASHES – DEMONS AND DEATH #1

Havok and Omega Red take center stage in two tales from the dark side in X-Men: From the Ashes – Demons and Death #1.

Collecting issues #7 – 12 from the Marvel Unlimited Infinity Comic X-Men: From the Ashes, Demons and Death #1 tells two stories bridging the gap between the end of Krakoa and beginning of the current era. The first, “Doesn’t Sound like No Sonnet,” follows a zombified Havok’s journey through Limbo towards a full resurrection, and the second, “Samosud,” focuses on Omega Red’s struggle to remain a changed man after the fall of his new homeland. Of these two stories, I did enjoy the Havok-centered one more, but that’s mainly because I’m more interested in him and the Goblin Queen. Fans of Omega Red will likely love ““Samosud” though; he’s a character who doesn’t get much attention so any spotlight he is given is notable. 

Writer Alex Pakandel is behind both stories in X-Men: From the Ashes – Demons and Death #1, and they’re definitely quite different from one another despite hitting on some common themes. The former is very horror-flavored, while the later is more thriller-esque. The X-Men dabble in horror quite often so it’s not jarring or unexpected; fans of the Limbo-set stories in particular will find a lot to like about the Havok tale. Similarly, artist Phillip Sevy provides the visuals for both, leaving for a more cohesive reading experience than some of these Infinity Comics often provide. You also can’t necessarily tell these tales originated in vertical format, which is a trait often indicative of these print versions.

Although both are meant to lead into specific titles in the “From the Ashes” era —X-Factor and Sentinels, respectively— I don’t think you need to read one before the other or vice-versa. They’re more supplementary reading than anything else. That’s not to say they’re throwaway or not worth reading, but generally speaking anything that began as a digital exclusive likely won’t be monumentally important to any further narratives. If you’re a fan of either of these characters, then you’d likely want to check X-Men: From the Ashes – Demons and Death #1 out.

Havok and Omega Red take center stage in two tales from the dark side in X-Men: From the Ashes – Demons and Death #1.

5.99

6

Premise

6.0/10

Execution

6.0/10

Script

6.0/10

Art

6.0/10

Credits

• Writer: Alex Pakandel
• Artist: Phillip Sevy
• Color Artist: Arthur Hesli
• Letterer: VC's Clayton Cowles
• Cover Artists: Mike McKone & Rachelle Rosenberg

Credits (cont)

• Editor: Darren Shan
• Publisher: Marvel Entertainment