Writer: Gail Simone
Artists: CF Villa, Mario Santoro, Davide Tinto, David
Marquez, AB Silva, Alessandro Cappuccio & Ramon Rosanas
Colorist: Espen Grundetjern
Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Cover Artists: Lucas Werneck; Ejikure; InHyuk Lee; Marco
Checchetto & Edgar Delgado
Designer: Jay Bowen
Editors: Lindsey Cohick, Annalise Bissa, Tom Brevoort &
CB Cebulski
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Price: $4.99
Release Date: November 19, 2025
With Wolverine's help, Rogue and Gambit mentored a group of
young mutants nicknamed the Outliers. When the St Juniors invited them to share
Haven House, the X-Men also trained their daughter, Dome. The house guarded a
graveyard for centuries, a rare resting place for Mutants in a world that hated
them. The St Juniors and X-Men also helped Lady Henrietta Benjamin and
Man-Thing guard the Dark Artery, an entryway to the Penumbra. There, Shuvahrak
torments people who hurt or betray the Mutant members of their families during
their lives.
When Galactus approached their property, Rogue stopped the
Planet Eater at the cost of her life. Years later, Henrietta Benjamin visits
the St Juniors’ home. She tells Gambit, Ransom, Temper, Dome, and Spider-Girl
that Shuvahrak no longer wishes to torment the dead. Now, she wants to attack
the living. Can Gambit and his adopted family prevent the dark god from
arising? And how will Shuvahrak treat the inhabitants of Revelation's
Territories? Let's grab a pack of playing cards, leap into Unbreakable X-Men #2,
and see!
Story
After Rogue's death, the St Juniors' home became a house of
pain. Gambit thinks of Rogue constantly. He yearns to join her in death. When
Shuvahrak raises a zombie army to wipe out the guardians, Gambit pours out his
anger and despair over Rogue's loss on his undead attackers. Despite how Ransom
and the others care for him, Gambit draws strength by thinking of Nightcrawler,
who has prayed for and counseled him.
In Unbreakable X-Men #2, Lady Henrietta and the others don’t
know how Shuvahrak has gained new powers. But the prospect of the god breaking
free to torment the living is a danger they cannot ignore. It frightens Ransom
enough to suggest a reunion of the Outliers, something he has resisted all
these years. Foremost in his thoughts is Deathdream, who convinced the others
to promise that they would fight Shuvahrak if she ever threatened the living.
With Miss Henrietta urging them to hurry, Gail Simone’s
story sends Gambit and his small cadre of X-Men to gather reinforcements. Years
ago, Galactus told Rogue that Dome served no purpose at Haven House, but she
could fulfill her promise elsewhere. Given her fierce love of Dome, Rogue
didn't let the girl consider becoming the Planet Eater’s herald. Years after
one giant's attack brought their lives to a standstill, the threat of another
helps Gambit and the others remember their purpose and use their gifts to
protect others in Unbreakable X-Men #2.
Art
As Gambit battles near a statue he cannot see, he guards a
memorial erected by the city of New Orleans. Afterward, clad in the clothes of
his late wife, Lady Henrietta hugs and kisses Gambit outside Haven House. While
the X-Men gather in the living room, Shuvahrak arises. Chains adorn a leviathan
more beast than Human in appearance. As the rays of light surrounding her echo
the shape of Rogue's memorial, worshippers surround her, while a town climbs a
nearby hill.
While Espen Grundetjern adorns Unbreakable X-Men #2 with
brief respites from the encroaching darkness, Ransom strides through
photographic negatives. Like Shuvahrak's tail, Sadurang’s glowing orange, red,
and blue body appears more serpentine than before.
Spider-Girl’s red jacket
links her with Calico’s red riding coat, while the copper manes of her gray
horses glow. Lady Henrietta and Dome prepare to protect Haven House, clad in
black and gray. The X on Dome’s shirt echoes the entryway to the realm that can
no longer hold its angry god.
Clayton Cowles shares dialogue using uppercase black letters
in white balloons and boxes or white letters in black balloons. Gambit’s
thoughts appear as white letters in pink boxes as he fights off zombies with
glowing pink cards. The letters grow bold for intonation and never shrink. While
earthshaking sound effects herald the end of an era, enlarged and colored words
make for a statement of purpose and unity. Thanks to Marvel Comics for
providing a review copy.
Final Thoughts
Gambit's love of Rogue helped him build a loving, supportive
community for Mutants in Haven House. After his despair made the home a tomb,
the Outliers went their separate ways. While survivor's guilt made Gambit want
to die, Shuvahrak’s loss drove her to make others feel her pain. Dwelling on
her loss fed her anger until that was all she knew. Feeling betrayed by the
Mutant community for not protecting her child, Shuvahrak arises in a land
created by Revelation’s betrayal of the Mutant community’s ideals in
Unbreakable X-Men #2.
Rating 9.6/10
To look inside see my review at Comic Book Dispatch.
