New X-Men #124

Published in May 2002, New X-Men #124 was a pivotal chapter in Grant Morrison’s transformative run on the title. The issue features interior art by Igor Kordey, who frequently employed a grittier, more experimental aesthetic during his tenure on the series. This era was defined by a departure from traditional spandex superhero tropes, favoring a contemporary, science-fiction-oriented tone that recontextualized the X-Men within a rapidly evolving mutant culture.

The narrative follows the team as they investigate the mysterious 'Kid Omega' and the growing restlessness among the student body at the Xavier Institute. Morrison’s scripts for this period were noted for their dense conceptual layering and psychological intensity. While the art style of the era remains a frequent point of debate among long-term readers, the issue is widely recognized for its contribution to the overarching 'Imperial' arc, which pushed the X-Men toward a more mature and fractured social reality.