New X-Men #125

New X-Men #125, released in 2002, serves as the final chapter of the 'Murder at the Mansion' story arc written by Grant Morrison with interior art by Keron Grant. Emerging during a period where Marvel sought to modernize the X-Men franchise, the issue focuses on the aftermath of a violent attack on the Xavier Institute. Morrison utilized this narrative arc to subvert traditional superhero tropes, emphasizing the psychological toll of leading a school of mutant children under constant threat of external hostility.

The visual direction of this era was defined by a departure from the spandex-heavy aesthetic of the 1990s toward a more grounded, utilitarian look often associated with the film adaptations of the time. While Frank Quitely provided the definitive visual identity for the run, Keron Grant took over the artistic duties for this specific installment. The issue is regarded by collectors for its role in establishing the darker, high-concept tone that defined Morrison's tenure, which remains a polarizing but essential pillar in contemporary X-Men history.