Welcome back to Mutantversity, a class offered at the Krakoan Akademos Habitat. This isn’t a place to find big reviews of X-books, (that’s what our Review section is for!) but it’s a great way to keep up with one of the most complicated superhero series around. We’ll learn, we’ll laugh, and we’ll take a jaunt outside our secret no-place. We’ll do all those things, but most of all, we’re going to dive into the deep end as we try to parse all the secrets of this new era of “X-Men” comics. As your designated X-Pert, I will do my best to help you work through everything Marvel’s Merry Mutants have to offer!
Here’s how it’s going to go. First we’re going to recap the last month of the ongoing superhero soap opera that is “X-Men,” focusing on the titles that are really driving the story. Think of it as your monthly headlines into all things “X-Men.” Then we’ll take a quick look at every single X-book that came out this month. Finally, we’re going to close things out with our very special Monthly Mutantversity Medals of Merit to close out these issues of “X-Men.” Stick with me true believers, and maybe we’ll survive this experience!
Wanda returns
Since the dawn of Krakoa, Wanda Maximoff has been public enemy number one. Then she was murdered, and the list of suspects couldn’t be longer. The evidence seems to point to Magneto, who honestly seems to have less of a motive than his fellow Krakoans. No one was expecting Wanda to rest in peace for very long, and sure enough, by the end of “Trial of Magneto” #2, she’s already levitating and shouting dramatically.
But where does this leave us? The murder mystery remains unsolved. Magneto claims innocence and I believe him. So was th e real murderer Mystique? Sinister? Onslaught? Shaw? An ORCHIS agent? Exodus? Like I said, the island isn’t short on motivation.
But the culprit isn’t as intriguing as what comes next. Was Wanda resurrected using Krakoan protocols? Those are supposed to be reserved for mutants. Unless… has Wanda been brought back as a mutant once again? Or was she revived by her own magic? Was it some new force we don’t yet understand?
And now that she’s returned, what’s next for the Scarlet Witch? I know that some people feel that all the adversity she faces makes it feel like Wanda is being done a little dirty, but I actually think she’s in a better character place than she has been in decades. With “Inferno” starting to ignite, is Wanda going to declare loyalty to a new faction? The exciting thing about this story is that some of the suspects, such as Mystique, are just as likely to be the murderer as they are to be an ally. Or why not both!? “Trial of Magneto” is the best, most exciting book in the X-line right now, and part of the reason is that it raises hundreds of questions, with oodles of clues for every single possibility.
Krakoan secrets exposed
Everyone in our Earth, the real world (Earth-1218 for those keeping score) knows about the inner workings of Krakoa. So it’s easy to forget that in Earth-616, Krakoa is a mysterious place. But maybe not for longer. The enemies of mutantkind are starting to put together the pieces, and secrecy will no longer be an option.
The first power we learned of Krakoa was the gates. Humans were concerned that rapid mobility would lead to a mutant invasion of Earth. This hasn’t materialized, but there are many factions look to cheat the Krakoan gates. Some aggressive denizens of Arakko have used the gates to their advantage. Hell, in the pages of Excalibur, Doctor Doom nabbed a mutant child to take advantage of the gates. It doesn’t seem likely that the gates are something that can be further secured, so expect to see this advantage crumble away.
But even more distressing are all the ill intentioned factions that seem to be hot on the trail of resurrection. ORCHIS is a particular concern. They’ve been collecting and studying the bodies of the mutants they’ve been killing, and they are putting together the pattern. What’s truly diabolical though, is that they are leaking the information to plucky reporter Ben Urich. He’s one of the most morally upstanding citizens of the Marvel universe, but he puts his journalistic ethos ahead of everything else. That means that he’s going to expose the truth, even if it’s bad for mutants in the long run. And that kind of mass manipulation is one of the scariest parts of living in the real world today, and it’s being weaponized of the (fictional) supervillains of the Marvel U. Krakoan secrecy’s days are numbered, and there’s no telling what’s going to happen when the world learns that mutants are all immortal.
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The spark that lights the Inferno
The biggest issue of this month of course, was the start of “Inferno.” This is the story that’s going to act as Jonathan Hickman’s swan song in the X-books (for the time being) and will answer the question as to whether or not the Krakoan books are some kind of feminist treatise. After months of sneering at Moira’s plans, it seems like Xavier and Magneto are finally going to see some consequences for their actions!
But the biggest news out of “Inferno” so far has been some political appointing. I’ve been waiting since HOXPOX to see Cyclops lead Krakoa in a time of war, but as a member of the X-Men he’s abdicated his position as Captain Commander. His replacement, I am pleased to see, is Lucas Bishop, now wearing a delightful Hannigram-style flower laurel. Bishop has come a long way from hunting Cable and Hope across time as a genocidal murderer. I like this version of Bishop a lot better.
We also get to see Psylocke officially named as a Captain, replacing Gorgon, who died in “X of Swords.” She mostly gets to sneer and talk awesome, but we haven’t seen her leadership yet. Still, I am thrilled at the potential of a “Psylocke & Magik: Sword Gals” adventure.
The biggest new replacement was one we all saw coming. That’s right, the Quiet Council has had empty spots for quite some time. Big Apocalypse left Krakoa during “X of Swords,” and Jean stepped down to join the X-Men. Taking one of those empty seats? Why, it’s Destiny of course!
The resurrection of Destiny has been a long time coming, and if sure to disrupt the peace for the island nation. We know that it’s going to lead to the deaths of Xavier and Magneto, and at the end of the story they will be humbled and resurrected by Emma. Is she leading a new feminist utopia Krakoa, one without all the paternalistic manipulation from old men? We’ll find out soon enough!
This month’s X-books:
“Excalibur” #23 – When in doubt, put in some Doctor Doom! The Latverian monarch has a great report of the merry mutants of Excalibur. Fun issue!
“X-Force” #23 – Spotlighting Beast, Black Tom, and our villainous conspiracy gives this issue some much needed urgency.
“X-Men” #3 – A sprawling issue that emphasizes relationships. Just what you’d hope for from a team book.
“X-Corp” #5 – An issue of relentless action. The dialogue is really crisp, but the plot could use a bit more focus.
“The Onslaught Revelation” #1 – There were parts of this issue I liked. Most of it was a heaping pile of word salad.
“Trial of Magneto” #2 – A fabulous second issue. Leah Williams is the real deal and with this miniseries, she’s cemented her place as the best of the best of the X creators.
“S.W.O.R.D.” #8 – One of the few great Storm issues of the Krakoa era, and a great peek into the inner workings of Arakko.
“Wolverine” #16 – A good story idea is undermined by a choppy script. The characters were good but the pacing was all over the place.
“Inferno” #1 – The kind of dense Hickman issue we’ve come to know and love with a lot of politics and fraught personal drama. Good stuff!
The Mutantversity Monthly Medals of Merit:
The Cable’s Pouch of X-Treme Grittiness Award
Given to a mutant for demonstrating badassitude and commitment to the 90s aesthetic
Gambit
There’s heavy representation in this category for soldiers with big guns. There’s also quite a few ninjas. So let’s take an opportunity to celebrate the scumbums. This month, married Gambit showed us that was still a lovable antihero, cheating at a magical card game and getting into a big ‘ol brawl with a gaggle of magic creatures. It makes me wonder what a Vertigo-style Gambit series would be like, maybe drawn by Chris Bachalo… anyway, take some time to celebrate a 90s icon who’s still got it, even when he’s a middle aged stay-at-home cat dad.
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Merriest Mutant Award
Given to a mutant who found a rare moment of happiness
Storm
Some X-Men are happy when they have purpose, or acceptance, or love. Storm is just here to duel! Only the mutant weather witch could face down a terrifying space demon, be stripped of her powers and horribly deformed, with a smile. I’m sure she was feeling the pain while she was in the fight pit, but she hid it well. And at the end, when the crowd chanted her name and her regency secured, she breaks into this big confident grin. I love seeing mutants in their element, and Storm is at her best when she’s proving her leadership through ruthless combat!
“Professor Xavier is a Jerk” Award
Given to a mutant who acted like a real jerk
Beast
I like Hank McCoy more than most, but even I am getting sick of his role in Krakoa. Gone is the bouncing blue beast, and now we’ve got the borderline supervillain Hank. And the only reason I say borderline is that his crimes are so grave, and rarely as fun as the theatrical schemes of Mr. Sinister. His stint in X-Force has been deeply frustrating, seeing him take up the worst tactics of the US government, while gleefully breaking the laws of nature in the name of funky superweapons. I miss the Beast that was a supportive friend to his teammates. Shame on you Dr. McCoy!
Fastball Special Award
Given to a duo who exhibited great friendship, collaboration, and teamwork
Legion and Dust
Sooraya Qadir has a complicated legacy, so I appreciate a writer who wants to build her up as a character, giving future writers new toys to play with. As Legion hooked up his expansive superbrain to Dust’s powers, he saw the vast mastery required to be a person made up of countless sand particles. Legion always struggles to organize his vast mind, which is filled with infinite possible superpowers. Together, they managed to achieve some measure of stability and do… whatever it was that happened at the end of “The Onslaught Revelation.” Build a “Wicked + Divine” style dance club/temple/BDSM club in the astral plane. Or whatever that was. For sure though, it was impressive!
Let’s Talk About X Baby Award
Given to the sweetest, sexiest, bestest romantic couple
Cyclops and Marvel Girl
Krakoa has been something of a second honeymoon for Scott and Jean. And considering how their first honeymoon went, they could really use another shot at it. What I’ve appreciated is that the two of them have appeared together and separately, been implied to be involved in a polyamorous relationship, and they always seem so happy. This month we saw their quiet report when they were between high stakes battles and meetings. And these two: still cute after all these years! You love to see it.
MVX: Most Valuable X-Man
Given to an X-Man who embodied the values of the team and showed all around X-cellence
Mystique
Listen, the X-Men are sworn to protect a world that hates and fears them. That’s the core of what it means to be an X-Man. And if there’s one thing we learned in “Inferno” #1, it’s that Moira hates Destiny. If there are two things we know, it’s that she also fears her. This month, Mystique has overcome all obstacles and resurrected her lost love. Does that mean she is “protecting” Moira somehow? I don’t think I am arguing that, but she is carrying out the spirit of Krakoa. She’s making more mutants and protecting the homeland and people. If Charles, Eric, and Moira want to respectively Gaslight, Gatekeep, and Girlboss their citizens, Mystique is going to fight back, and that’s X-Men as hell.
Now there’s still a lot of unknowns. We don’t know how Mystique brought Destiny back. We’re talking about a shapeshifter who is friends with quite a few illusionists, Shi’ar flesh golems are in play. Things are doubtlessly more than they seem. But I want to shine the spotlight on Mystique, who I see as the protagonist of this era of X-Men comics.
