The New Mutants are back. The youngest troupe of X-Men — featuring Escapade, Wolfsbane, Cerebella, Karma, Scout, Mirage, and Warpath — is back and ready to quash evil, no matter where it may rear its head. The Marvel Universe, as always, is brimming with threats to peace, and this time, it’s an ionic-energy vampire.
Written by Charlie Jane Anders, with pencils by Enid Balám, inks by Elisabetta D’Amico, colors by Matt Milla, and letters by VC’s Travis Lanham, New Mutants: Lethal Legion #1 follows Count Nefaria as he recruits his own Lethal Legion to destroy the New Mutants. It’s up to the heroes to stop him, but they have some personal issues of their own to tackle first.
Despite touting the triumphant return of the X-Men’s youngest team, New Mutants: Lethal Legion #1 offers surprisingly little action. There’s a lot of talk in this issue. New Mutants: Lethal Legion #1 is more bark than bite. Most of this issue is dedicated to addressing the interpersonal angst and thinly-veiled romantic tension between the characters, with a little conspiratorial plotting here and there, punctuated by ultra-hip, ultra-trendy dialogue.
While writer Anders puts a lot of emphasis on the very real and contemporary teen angst and social unrest, especially amongst the LGBTQ young heroes, this comes at the cost of plot progression. As a result, New Mutants: Lethal Legion #1 reads as though it’s holding itself back, which isn’t the best approach for a debut issue. While the antagonist Count Nefaria does provide some incentive for the characters to act, he’s cast as a not-so-subtle representation of the uber-wealthy oligarchs that Escapade vocally tirades against. New Mutants: Lethal Legion #1 is more build-up than momentum. Wolfsbane stands out as the only character actively pushing the story forward, persuading Morgan Red, disillusioned and retired from crime, to join him on a mission.
There are genuine and moving moments of emotional subtlety and connection in this issue. While the chemistry between Cerebella and Escapade is initially awkward, it gives way to some deep philosophical moments, particularly in terms of coping with guilt, self-doubt, and misfortune. Similarly, Morgan Red’s conversation with Wolfsbane about their relationships with the Mutant nation Krakoa is thought-provoking, with both sides making valid arguments. The topic of Krakoa and the New Mutants’ allegiances comes up throughout this issue to its benefit.
Visually, New Mutants: Lethal Legion #1 is blessed by the presence of talented artists Enid Balám and Elisabetta D’Amico. Balám’s distinct art, with its stylized, sharp, and slightly cartoony designs, pairs well with D’Amico’s gritty, angular inks. Together, they capture the restless and youthful energy crackling throughout this issue. Colorist Matt Milla’s palette — a warm array of soft pinks, magentas, oranges, and greens — conveys a sense of youth, vitality, and barely-suppressed tension. The sunset hues of Krakoa provide contrast with the grimy sewers and cold, clinical labs that Wolfsbane and Morgan Red traverse. The central characters stand out in each panel thanks to their searing color palettes. Unfortunately, some page layouts feel counterintuitive for readers, who might struggle to move across some pages in the correct order, disrupting the flow of the narrative.
Like its vibrant cast, New Mutants: Lethal Legion #1 has a lot of potential for greatness. Anders and the rest of the creative team introduce an endearing and thought-provokng dynamic that could develop in compelling ways. Unfortunately, its lack of action, stalled pacing, and adolescent awkwardness hold it back.