New X-Men #144

New X-Men #144, published in September 2003, serves as part of the climactic conclusion to Grant Morrison's transformative run on the X-Men franchise. This era, characterized by a shift toward more grounded, modern storytelling and a departure from traditional spandex costumes, sought to revitalize the X-Men for a 21st-century audience. The issue depicts the aftermath of the harrowing 'Planet X' arc, focusing on the psychological and physical devastation left behind after Xorn's betrayal and the near-destruction of the Xavier Institute.

The artwork for this issue is provided by Marc Silvestri, whose gritty, high-contrast aesthetic complements the somber tone of Morrison's narrative. Following the chaotic events of the preceding issues, this installment acts as a bridge toward the transition of the series title back to its classic branding, X-Men. While Morrison's tenure was polarizing due to its radical deconstruction of long-standing character dynamics, it is now widely regarded by critics as a foundational pillar of modern comic book literature that redefined the mutants' place in the Marvel Universe.