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 RSVP to the party event of the season. 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!
Flashback Attack
Since moving to Krakoa, the X-books have largely been looking forward. It’s new ideas and new stories, disrupting a muddled mission statement for Marvel’s mutant books. But then they’ve gotta mix things up the other way with “X-Men Legends.” (No relation to the excellent video games of the same name). This is a series that takes creators of classic stories and lets them fill in the pieces. It mostly just serves to clean up some messy continuity, which is probably a necessary evil. But the fun is found is reading comics that are stylistically removed from the modern era.
Case in point: Adam X the X-Treme! He’s a character completely tied to his era. That being the 90s. Obviously. And the whole story is a throwback to those comics, from the art style, to the pacing, to the characters it chooses to spotlight. But this is a column about tracking big changes in “X-Men” and this is it. We finally are resolving the complex situation regarding the third… no fourth?… Summers brother!
Let me explain. You know Cyclops, Scott Summers. And you probably know his brother Havok, Alex Summers. Well in 1993’s “X-Men” #23, Mister Sinister vaguely alludes to the idea of another brother, or even multiple lost siblings. But Fabian Nicieza wasn’t on the book much longer, and so other creators got to take a swing at the idea. It wasn’t a secret that Nicieza wanted Adam X to be the third brother, and you can read some subtextual foreshadowing into his comics. But other writers had other plans, like the idea that Gambit was the long lost sibling. Ed Brubaker finally revealed the secret in “Deadly Genesis,” a comic that he himself describes as not his best work. (The exact quote was “I don’t love my X-Men run but there are people who liked it,” which is incredible). Brubaker’s reveal was an entirely new character named Vulcan, who has appeared on Krakoa several times.
“X-Men Legends” doesn’t go back on any of that, but it does finally tie off Nicieza’s old threads. Adam X, who has the mutant power to combust blood into fire, is the half brother to Cyclops, Havok, and Vulcan. He’s half Shi’ar, so he’s kind of got a bird motif going on. And a backwards baseball cap. And lots of knives. Does it make X continuity even messier and busier than it was before? Absolutely, and that’s why we love it. The Summers family tree gets even more tangled!
Writer’s Block
In the excellent “X-Men” #7, Nightcrawler vowed that he would write the mutant bible. We check in on the blue elf in “Way of X” #1 and it turns out, he’s had a bad case of writer’s block. He hasn’t written the definitive spiritual text yet. He doesn’t even know what sorts of things are going to be in it. I mean if he asked an X-fan, they could probably describe his horny Catholic spiritual vibes to him, but I think he’s looking for something a little deeper than that.
“Way of X” has exactly the kind of sci-fi storytelling comic fans have hungered for since HOXPOX. Kurt goes on a mission with a couple of X kids, only to watch with horror as they dare Pixie to embrace getting violently murdered. After all, resurrection is a cornerstone of the new mutant culture. If you never die and get resurrected, maybe you aren’t fully Krakoan? It’s a morbid and ridiculous notion, but one that makes sense and is real to these kids. And that cements Kurt’s certainty that they need spiritual guidance.
But then he is bowled over by his crisis of faith. When he tries to bring Pixie a post-resurrection treat, he finds out that her favorite food has changed. What!? It’s an observable phenomenon without a clear answer: a spiritual question. What is being lost through the resurrection process? What is being gained? It’s clear that dying and returning don’t leave you the same as you were before but then again, neither does living uninterrupted by death. People change. I hope that Kurt finds the answers he needs, but I doubt he will. Oh well. I hope he at least writes a bestseller.
Passion of Cortez
Fabian Cortez was the antagonist of the first comic I ever owned, “X-Men” #1. (You could argue that Magneto was the villain of that piece. I wouldn’t.) The thing is while classic, that’s not a very good run of the comic and Cortez is one of the parts that doesn’t work- his haughtiness is not backed up by any real menace or charisma. So wisely in “S.W.O.R.D.,” Al Ewing works this all into the character. Cortez is mocked by just about every other mutant on the island. No one takes him seriously. He’s a laughingstock.
That would have made for a great running gag, but Ewing doesn’t leave things there to rest. He gives Cortez a great speech, where he makes a lot of valid points. He’s got a bone to pick with how coddling Krakoan policy is towards humans. He’s also uninterested in choosing a mutant name. Cortez feels very connected to his ancestors, human or otherwise. All this talk on codenames is gatekeeper-y to him. And that’s a really good point! Krakoa talks a big game about being an inclusive place where mutants can be accepted, but there is definitely an accepted culture. And mutants who choose to do something else… they are allowed to live there, but they are not treated with full kindness and respect. Get in line, or face the consequences.
Hellfire RSVP
As we get nearer to the Hellfire Gala we have been given the chance to see some of the wonderful fashion. A lot of people have freaked out about Colossus’ “daddy loves leather” look or Professor X going full bedazzled mutant Elvis, but I want to focus on the sartorial choices of two different mutants. Let’s take a look at the clothes of the once and future X-iest couple, Wolverine and Synch.
Everett definitely gets the assignment. The turtleneck, medallion, cummerbund, and hat combination is cool and artsy. But the jacket is incredible. It’s striking, flamboyant, and captures the very particular way his aura powers were drawn by Chris Bachalo. While it’s not fashion that is literally built on his powers, his aura looks so cool that it doesn’t even really matter. I’d buy that jacket. You’d buy that jacket. It’s a rad jacket.
Laura Kinney does not seem to understand the assignment. Her look is less Met Gala and more clearance at Forever 21. It’s a cute top, and it’s got the colors of her Wolverine costume. The asymmetrical skirt is kind of fun. But none of it says high fashion. But… Laura wouldn’t be into high fashion. In fact, I think this is an incredible look for her. It’s so far off the mark, it’s a whole DGAF statement. You can make the Wolverine come to your fancy party, but you can’t make her wear something pretty. As spectacular fashion choices, Laura may not be getting top marks but as an expression of her character, her outfit is the best at what it does!
Continued belowThis months X-Books:
“X-Men Legends” #2 – A throwback/flashback issue that really benefits from modern comic creating techniques. Cool to see classic creators balance the old with the new!
“Marauders” #19 – Even when focusing on the secondary cast, this comic remains excellent.
“Excalibur” #20 – A superb issue giving an origin to a long-mysterious villain! Deep X-nerds will lose it.
“Children of the Atom” #2 – Excellent characterization and flawless worldbuilding make a bunch of new characters and concepts feel instantly essential
“Wolverine” #11 – How can Omega Red’s death spores and Dracula’s Chernobyl nation make for such a dull issue?
“Way of X” #1 – An essential story that asks a lot of the cultural questions that lots of people have been asking about Krakoa. Spurrier turns out to be an essential voice the line needed!
“S.W.O.R.D.” #5 – A bop. And fantastic characterization for some fascinating minor characters.
“X-Force” #19 – Quentin Quire goes through some character growth, which I know because all the characters keep saying so. Shame the issue doesn’t bother to do any work showing us.
“New Mutants” #17 – A forgettable romp is anchored by solid character work and the promise of greater things to come.
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
Adam X the X-Treme
This one is so obvious it almost feels like cheating. Adam X is the character I use to show the almost parody levels 90s excess rose to. The dude’s power is igniting blood. That’s a power that turns blood, an already X-treme substance into fire, an even more X-treme substance. In “X-Men Legends” we got to see Adam X do his thing, but we also got to see another, softer side of him. And I thought that was great! You can totally stab aliens in a backwards baseball cap to combust ‘em and still be a nice guy at the end of the day. And that’s what Adam X is all about.
Merriest Mutant Award
Given to a mutant who found a rare moment of happiness
Doctor Nemesis
It really comes down to drugs and alcohol a lot for this category. What can I say? When Marvel mutants are having a good day, they like to throw one back. Or in the case of Doctor Nemesis, they like to engineer their cerebellum to produce hallucinogenic mushrooms which they can then consume and trip X-gene positive balls. And while he using science to mess himself up, you got a guess what Doc N gets up to? He does even more science. And that is true joy, doig what you love to do what you love even more, but blitzed.
“Professor Xavier is a Jerk” Award
Given to a mutant who acted like a real jerk
Peeper
I’m not saying he’s wrong, but I am saying that Peeper knows exactly what he is doing. It’s sort of a joke, right? Peeper is a ridiculous character who is positioned to show how little Magneto respects Fabian Cortez. (And like, same). What Al Ewing and Valerio Schiti absolutely nail though, is Peeper’s smarm. He knows Cortez wants respect, and so he shows up just in time to remind everyone that he doesn’t have it. Allegedly, Peeper attends the council meeting as an advisor, but what is his advice? He just has some incisive questions meant to humiliate Cortez! And again, I’m not denying that is a worthy goal, but it’s the goal of a real jerk.
Fastball Special Award
Given to a duo who exhibited great friendship, collaboration, and teamwork
Mirage and Karma
A lot of the X-Men have been in this superhero game for a long time, and a journey to a magical dimension to contend with wizard schemes isn’t a weekly occurrence, but it’s definitely something they do at least once a year. Karma and Mirage have been partners for a long time. I know there are those who are really into them as a ship, and it’s a good one, but I’d like to focus on their other partnership this month. Together, the two of them are absolutely unflappable. By combining their mind-bending powers, there’s not a lot they can’t take care of. Plus they are both might warriors in their own right. Seeing these two gals do what they do best was refreshing!
Continued below
Let’s Talk About X Baby Award
Given to the sweetest, sexiest, bestest romantic couple
Quentin Quire and Phoebe Cuckoo
I don’t know if I see these two going all the way, but they are definitely an important young relationship. Phoebe and Quentin have been connected since they first appeared in the early 00s, but their relationship was usually adversarial. That could have stayed fun on the page, but what’s cool is that they have both grown up, and their relationship is one of support and communication. It’s cool to see two people who knew each other as teens try to make romance work in their early 20s, and to push each other to grow and change for the better.
MVX: Most Valuable X-Man
Given to an X-Man who embodied the values of the team and showed all around X-cellence
Nightcrawler
Kurt has long been one of my very favorite X-Men and while he has had a presence in the Krakoa era, his role hasn’t felt central. That changed in the strong debut that is “Way of X” #1. Nightcrawler is looking out for kids, running missions around the world, and asking the hard existential questions. And you can’t spell existential panic without a big ‘ol X. It’s great to have the blue elf back, but it’s even greater to have a story that is as sensitive and philosophical as he is. That’s a big part of being an X-Man too. Nightcrawler rocks as a superhero, but he’s even more compelling as a soulful philosopher, asking the big questions that just annoy everyone else.
