X-Men #35 Review – Beast In Crisis

X-Men #35 (Marvel, 8/12/26): Writer Jed MacKay and Artists Tony S. Daniel & Mark Morales find Beast having an existential crisis when he asks Magik for advice. Long on heart-to-heart sharing and short on action, the issue does its job, even if it’s a small one. Verdict: Best for Beast fans.

• Writer: Jed MacKay
• Artist: Tony S. Daniel, Mark Morales
• Colorist: Arthur Hesli
• Letterer: VC’s Clayton Cowles
• Cover Artist: Tony S. Daniel, Fer Sifuentes-Sujo (cover A)
• Publisher: Marvel Comics
• Release Date: August 12, 2026
• Comic Rating: Teen
• Cover Price: $4.99
• Page Count: 26
• Format: Single Issue

Covers:

Analysis of X-Men #35:

First Impressions:

After last issue’s poorly constructed letdown that was a Juggernaut character study, Jed MacKay follows up with another character study that at least fits into the events of the X-Men and 3K, so it’s a minor improvement.

Recap:

In X-Men #34, readers were presented with a character study of Juggernaut when he was sent to Pennsylvania to tear down a statue of Bolivar Trask. It didn’t go well.

Plot Analysis (SPOILERS):

In X-Men #35, Magik is summoned by Beast for a spot of help. After teleporting Magneto to the local Temple and playing teleporting whack-a-mole with the rest of the X-Men, she finds Beast moping outside. Beast explains that the leader of 3K is the Chairman, aka Beast from a future timeline, and he doesn’t know how to handle the realization that he could turn out evil.

In a flashback, we see Beast communicate with the Chairman via hologram and learn what the Chairman saw during the Age of Revelation. The most pressing revelation (no pun intended) is the knowledge of the X-Virus, which enables the Chairman and 3K’s desires to forcibly mutate humanity.

Now, Magik tells Beast he has the gift of knowledge of his evil potential and should be grateful that he knows the line not to cross when so many do not. Suddenly, an explosion rips through the Factory as 3K’s X-Men arrive to attack, including their own version of Magneto. The issue ends with the Chairman paying the real Magneto a visit.

How is the story in X-Men #35?

Jed MacKay’s tale of introspection is just okay. It’s a better character study than last issue’s Juggernaut head-scratcher, but it also doesn’t accomplish much or go very far. Beast is a sensitive soul, so it makes sense that he would struggle with the realization that he could become evil, and it also makes sense that he would seek the counsel of someone who knows what that feels like. I just don’t know that we need an entire issue devoted to it, especially when MacKay should know by now that you can move the plot along and build characters at the same time. In short, this issue feels like water-treading filler, albeit decent filler.

What compounds this sense of going nowhere is the lack of progress within 3K’s plans. Age of Revelations ended ages ago (no pun intended), and we’ve yet to see the Chairman or 3k do anything with the knowledge of the X-Virus. Decompression in storytelling has become a no-no in comic circles for just this reason.

How is the art in X-Men #35?

Tony S. Daniel and Mark Morales bring the goods with fantastic-looking art, specifically in the level of detail for Beast/Chairman’s perennial hairy frame and outstanding panel layouts. Again, this is an all-talk issue except for one or two panels, but Daniel and Morales make it look good.

Characters

Beast is, of course, the man of the hour, and MacKay saddles him with personal angst well. Beast’s upset is palpable, primarily due to the excellent work of the art team to show his emotional state. Now, it remains to be seen if Beast’s internal conflict leads anywhere beyond Magik’s pep talk, but the potential is there.

Originality & Concept Execution

A character who wrestles with disturbing future knowledge is hardly original in any medium, but Magik’s action and advice caught me off guard as deceptively simple yet effective. The collective issue may lean on the dull side, but Magik’s advice rings true.

Pros and Cons

What We Loved

• Fantastic art
• Magik’s advice is surprisingly good
• Beast’s personal crisis has potential

Room for Improvement

• 3K is spinning its wheels
• The Chairman is losing his intimidation factor
• The epilogue cliffhanger is weak

Art Samples:

The Scorecard:

Writing Quality (Clarity & Pacing): 2/4
Art Quality (Execution & Synergy): 3.5/4
Value (Originality & Entertainment): 1/2

Final Thoughts:

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X-Men #35 challenges Beast with an existential crisis when he wrestles with the evil he could become. Jed MacKay’s script hits the bullseye for Beast’s emotional state, but it falls far short of developing the villain and moving them forward. Still, the art team delivers masterful work to salvage the script’s weaknesses.

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