Marvel Reveals the Official DNX Reading Order as the X-Men and Fantastic Four Unite Against the X-Virus
This September, the Marvel Universe faces one of its most dangerous mutant crises yet in DNX, a five-issue crossover event from writer Jed MacKay and artist Federico Vicentini. At the center of the conflict is the terrifying X-Virus, a weapon capable of transforming all of humanity into mutants and reshaping the future of the world forever.
To stop the outbreak, the X-Men will be forced into an unprecedented alliance with the Fantastic Four as they take on 3K, the secretive organization determined to unleash the virus on a global scale. Standing behind the conspiracy is the enigmatic Chairman, an older and morally corrupted version of Hank McCoy whose vision for mutantkind threatens everything the heroes are fighting to protect.
As anticipation builds for the event, Marvel has unveiled the official DNX reading guide, featuring essential prologue chapters, key tie-in issues, and the main event series itself.
Unlike larger crossover events, DNX concentrates on a core narrative that unfolds across the pages of X-Men and Fantastic Four, delivering a fast-paced race against time as the heroes attempt to prevent a catastrophic future from becoming reality.
MacKay described the crossover as a focused, character-driven story:
“DNX is pretty tight. Age of Revelation was depicting a whole changed world, and there was a lot of space to explore there. In contrast, DNX has a very tight focus on our characters and their conflicts over a very short time.”
DNX READING ORDER:
X-MEN #35 - (August 12)
DNX Prologue! Beast finds himself haunted by a threat unlike any he has ever faced: himself. The Chairman of 3K, an older and ruthlessly pragmatic version of Hank McCoy, serves as a chilling reflection of what Beast could become. As the X-Men struggle to understand their enemy’s plans, Beast is forced to confront the darkest possibilities of his own future.
X-MEN #36 - (August 26)
DNX Prologue! After recovering the X-Virus from the Age of Revelation timeline, 3K edges closer to creating a stable version of the pathogen. Their breakthrough comes when the Chairman discovers that the final key lies within Magneto himself. With that revelation, 3K launches a direct assault on the X-Men’s Alaskan headquarters.
DNX #1 - (September 2)
The Event Begins - The X-Virus is unleashed! Cyclops and the Chairman return from the Age of Revelation with two radically different missions. While the X-Men fight to prevent that future from ever occurring, 3K seeks to make it a reality. As the X-Men turn to the Fantastic Four for help in saving one of their own, the White Beast sets into motion a plan that could infect an entire population center and change humanity forever.
X-MEN #37 - (September 9)
Psi-War! With the world hanging in the balance, the battle expands to the psychic plane. Kid Omega faces off against Cassandra Nova in a devastating telepathic showdown that could determine the outcome of the entire conflict.
DNX #2 - (September 16)
The war escalates high above Philadelphia as the X-Men, 3K, and members of the Fantastic Four collide in a massive aerial battle. Meanwhile, inside the Baxter Building, the greatest scientific minds from both teams work desperately to save Magneto’s life. But as the heroes press their advantage, the Chairman prepares a final, desperate contingency.
X-MEN #38 - (September 23)
Revolutionary. Warrior. Teacher. Father. Killer. Magneto has worn many titles throughout his life, but now he becomes something entirely new: a genetic prophet carrying a message from the future encoded within his blood itself. Whether that message leads to salvation or destruction remains to be seen.
FANTASTIC FOUR #17 - (September 30)
The Fantastic Four awaken in a bizarre and unfamiliar environment with no memory of who they are or how they arrived there. Surrounded by mysterious injuries and strange abilities, the team struggles to uncover the truth. The only clue is a single word written in blood on Reed Richards’ arm: SURVIVE.
The Road to Marvel’s Next Mutant Epic
With the X-Virus threatening to rewrite the future of humanity and 3K willing to sacrifice everything to achieve its goals, DNX is shaping up to be one of Marvel’s biggest mutant stories of the year. Combining the high-stakes drama of the X-Men with the scientific ingenuity of the Fantastic Four, the event promises explosive action, major revelations, and far-reaching consequences for the Marvel Universe.
X-Men fans can begin preparing now with the prologue issues in August before the battle for the future officially erupts in DNX #1 on September 2. Stay tuned as more issues of DNX are announced!