Warning: Spoilers ahead for Uncanny X-Men #16!
Rogue’s X-Menteam just received a new look, one that puts a dark twist on the kind of costume designs familiar to fans of the franchise. Facing down an ominous, god-level threat, and preparing to enter a battle that could change the heroes forever, this upgrade is a surprisingly bleak style for the characters to embrace, and so far, fan reaction to the look has been somewhat divided.
In the preview pages for Uncanny X-Men #16, written by Gail Simone, with art by David Marquez and Luciano Vecchio, Rogue and her veteran X-Men follow the Outliers into the Dark Artery, which is revealed to be Louisiana’s very own version of hell on Earth. Upon entering an underground portal to a place known as the Penumbra, the X-Men are mystically fitted in matching black costumes, letting the undead denizens know the heroes are alive and fresh pickings.
Interestingly. these latest X-Men redesigns may tease the future of Rogue’s X-Men teams, while also calling back to the heroes’ past.
Marvel Gifts The X-Men Matching Costumes, But With Terrifying Consequences
Uncanny X-Men #16; Written By Gail Simone; Art By David Marquez And Luciano Vecchio; Color By Matthew Wilson; Lettering By VC’s Clayton Cowles
The X-Men have never looked more stylishly macabre, with Rogue, Gambit, Wolverine, Nightcrawler, and Jubilee receiving new all-black costumes decked out with leather and armored spikes for their entry into the Penumbra. While a striking and sleek look for the heroes, these dark redesigns also have dire consequences, as it has been heavily hinted that these new costumes corrupt the wearer. It’s noted that these outfits are a uniform that lets the dead who have been imprisoned within the underground city know that the heroes aren’t one of them, causing them to attack the X-Men.
The X-Men’s Dark Artery designs add both a dark flair and a sense of stakes, as there is the real possibility that the X-Men will lose a teammate to the Penumbra.
Rogue’s X-Men have set out to rescue the Outliers from the hellish pit, but they now must also prevent themselves from being corrupted by their attire while fighting off hordes of undead sinners. This mission will likely be hardest for Gambit as he also possesses the Eye of Agamotto, which is already corrupting him to crave human flesh, meaning Remy will have to stave off two kinds of corruption. The X-Men’s Dark Artery designs add both a dark flair and a sense of stakes, as there is the real possibility that the X-Men will lose a teammate to the Penumbra.
The X-Men’s New Redesigns Revive Rogue’s Original Villain Look, With aA Dark Twist
Will An X-Men Hero Actually Turn Into A Villain?
In Uncanny X-Men #15, it was revealed that the Penumbra is being watched over by a terrifying dark entity known as Shuvahrak, who has been calling to Deathdream, so he can replace her, but these new costumes hint at another hero possibly taking over as the realm’s dark overlord. While these new looks are a big departure from the X-Men’s bright attire, Rogue’s costume calls back to her very first costume, where she was initially introduced as a villain with a green hood and slicked-back hair. Rogue’s new costume could hint at her briefly returning to her villainous roots.
Related
X-Men Has Finally Surpassed Rogue’s Skimpiest Costume, But Not How You Think
Rogue’s Savage Land redesign was a historic X-Men moment, but Marvel just introduced an even more risque Savage Land costume for a surprising hero.
Lady Henrietta, the guardian of Penumbra, admits that Deathdream is slated to replace Shuvahrak, but also notes that any one of the X-Men can take his place to become the new guardian of the Penumbra and be trapped underground forever. Henrietta’s offering is ultimately a false sense of choice, as the costumes will eventually corrupt them into darkness, making a test of who will become the next overlord a test of willpower. While one of the Outliers might take Deathdream’s place to protect him, one of the X-Men may take up the mantle to protect the young mutants.
The X-Men’s New Costumes Are A Good Look, But Could Be Their Downfall
Marvel’s Deadliest Costumes Have Arrived
The X-Men’s latest costumes give the mutants an interesting edge with their cohesive black attire studded with sharp spikes and armor, but these new looks have unexpectedly come with dire consequences as they are slowly corrupting the X-Men as they wear them. Surprisingly, the heroes’ new redesigns could be the nail in the coffin that causes the X-Men to turn on each other. With the X-Men forced to fight swarms of undead sinners, as their new costumes slowly erode them into dark entities, the X-Men are entering one of their darkest fights of all time.
Uncanny X-Men #16 will be available on June 25, 2025, from Marvel Comics!
- Movie(s)
-
X-Men (2000), X2, X-Men: The Last Stand (2006), X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009), X-Men: First Class (2011), The Wolverine (2013), X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014), Deadpool (2016), X-Men: Apocalypse (2016), Logan (2017), Deadpool 2 (2018), Dark Phoenix (2019), The New Mutants, Deadpool & Wolverine (2024)
- First Film
-
X-Men (2000)
- TV Show(s)
-
X-Men: Pryde of the X-Men, X-Men (1992), X-Men: Evolution (2000), Wolverine and the X-Men (2008), Marvel Anime: Wolverine, Marvel Anime: X-Men, Legion (2017), The Gifted (2017), X-Men ’97 (2024)
- Character(s)
-
Professor X, Cyclops, Iceman, Beast, Angel, Phoenix, Wolverine, Gambit, Rogue, Storm, Jubilee, Morph, Nightcrawler, Havok, Banshee, Colossus, Magneto, Psylocke, Juggernaut, Cable, X-23
- Video Game(s)
-
X-Men: Children of the Atom (1994), Marvel Super Heroes (1995), X-Men vs. Street Fighter (1996), Marvel Super Heroes vs. Street Fighter (1997), Marvel vs. Capcom (1998), X-Men: Mutant Academy (2000), Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes (2000), X-Men: Mutant Academy 2 (2001), X-Men: Next Dimension (2002), Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds (2011), Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 (2011), X-Men Legends (2005), X-Men Legends 2: Rise of Apocalypse (2005), X2: Wolverine’s Revenge (2003), X-Men (1993), X-Men 2: Clone Wars (1995), X-Men: Mutant Apocalypse (1994)
- Comic Release Date
-
213035,212968
The X-Men franchise, created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, centers on mutants with extraordinary abilities. Led by the powerful telepath Professor Charles Xavier, they battle discrimination and villainous mutants threatening humanity. The series explores themes of diversity and acceptance through a blend of action, drama, and complex characters, spanning comics, animated series, and blockbuster films.
