X-Terminators: The X-Men Book for Freak Bitches (Like Me!)
Why be boring when you can be horny?
X-Terminators (2022) by Leah Williams is one of the funniest, grossest, most brilliantly dumb X-Men comics to ever exist. But most importantly: it’s one of the horniest.
Our titular team consists of Boom-Boom, Jubilee, Dazzler, and Laura Kinney: Wolverine. After Dazzler comes home to find her soon-to-be ex-boyfriend Alex cheating with her. She kicks him out (obviously), and immediately rings up Jubilee and Boom-Boom for a girls night out. They take shots, hit the dance floor, and have a generally great time until they start to feel woozy. Turns out Dazzler’s ex-boyfriend isn’t just trash, but also a vampire. He drugs them and transports them into an underground fighting ring fueled by faerie magic and vampire tech. Wolverine also found herself caught up in the ring and teams-up with the X-Terminators to find a way out, and most importantly, beat the shit out of Dazzler’s ex.
All five issues of X-Terminators feels like Williams plumbing the depths of her id to make the most gleefully transgressive book she could muster. She plays with structure and form, constantly subverting norms in the most delightful of ways. I love stories where it feels like the author is doing exactly what they want to do and X-Terminators is one of the finest examples of that ideal. It just fucking goes for it.
It manages the rare feat of hypersexuality that doesn’t feel bad! Whereas female sexuality in comics often feels like weird dudes using the medium as an outlet for their weird fetishes (see: here anddd here ), X-Terminators is a celebration of the female body. It’s unapologetically sapphic, with some hilariously horny panels.
It really feels like Williams is yelling “Women are hot and I’m tired of acting like they’re not!” in every issue and I fucking LIVE for it. (Cause women are hot/badass/straight up the coolest thing god made and I’m tired of acting like they’re not!)
The camaraderie between the team is peak best friend vibes. The dynamic of Jubilee, Dazzler, and Boom-Boom very much reminded me of how me and my buds are when we get together. There’s ample amounts of gassing each other up and talking the most shit about each other. Brutal honesty that comes from a place of genuine love, and when it’s time to lock in they have each other’s backs.
As a dumbass who loves beer, explosions and is acutely aware of their own hotness, I felt so seen by Boom-Boom. She is everything I strive to be as a person. Each character has a standout moment and the amount of one-liners and throwaway gags packed in this one book is nothing short of impressive.
X-Terminators is easily the most delightful, and unhinged book of the Krakoan era. It’s a celebration of friendship, the female body, and a non-stop romp. If you’re looking for a fun, quick read, look no further my friends.
X-Terminators is available for download on Hoopla and for purchase in trade format.