X-Treme X-Men #22

X-Treme X-Men #22 was published in March 2003 as part of the series written by Chris Claremont, who remains one of the most significant architects of the X-Men mythos. This issue falls within the 'God Loves, Man Kills' spiritual successor arc, following the team as they operate outside the traditional X-Men structure to deal with global threats. The narrative reflects Claremont's signature long-form storytelling, focusing on character-driven interpersonal conflicts and the geopolitical pressures facing mutants in the Marvel Universe.

The interior art for this period was handled by artists such as Salvador Larroca, whose polished and cinematic style helped define the visual identity of the early 2000s X-Men titles. The series was designed to offer a more grounded, gritty perspective compared to the main X-Men line, often dealing with the consequences of mutant visibility. While the series eventually concluded to make way for new creative directions, this era is remembered for its ambitious scope and its attempt to push the boundaries of what a mutant-centric black-ops team could accomplish.