The disruption of the comics industry effected every ongoing series, and every working comics creator. It’s a huge situation with far reaching consequences. But we’re here to talk about “X-Men,” and a ton of series were put on hold at the strangest time. “Marauders” is dealing with the death of its main hero, which is clearly not all that it seems. “New Mutants” was trying to shift gears and become a completely different book. And poor “Hellions” had one excellent debut issue and then had the rug pulled out from under it.
So here’s what we’re going to do this month. Let’s take the opportunity to take stock of ‘Dawn of X.’ First, I am going to rank all of the series, starting with the least successful, and ending with the series that I think is the strongest. We’ll reflect a little bit on what makes each series tick. Then we’ll go into a special edition of our Monthly Mutantversity Medals of Merit only this time, we’ll be looking holistically at the entire ‘Dawn of X’ thus far. Ready? Let’s get into it! To me, my X-books.
“Fallen Angels” – What happened here?
At this point, it feels like criticizing “Fallen Angels” is kick it while its down. A good creative team with a good cast put out a mess of a book, the first cancellation of ‘Dawn of X.’ While its flaws were pretty obvious (incomprehensible conflict, baffling character choices), it was not without its merit. The villain, Apoth, was right out of an early-00s sci-fi comic in a cool throwback-y way (he was a drug, who was a ghost, but also a god, and also a computer program?). The digital art style wasn’t to everyone’s taste, but it was certainly not forgettable and thematically compelling. There were people who didn’t like the way Szymon Kudranski would zoom in ultra-close on characters’ body parts, but I think there’s a compelling argument to make about how it helped capture how each character felt alienated from themselves and from each other.
“Fallen Angels” was certainly the worst book of ‘Dawn of X,’ but it burned out spectacularly.
”Wolverine” – Same stuff, different day bub
Most of our favorite X-Men have defined roles in the era of Krakoa. Professor X and Magneto are de facto leaders. Storm and Emma Frost serve in the government. Cyclops leads the armed forces. Nightcrawler and Apocalypse are dueling spiritual leaders. Wolverine though, is just kind of doing his regular thing. Writer Ben Percy clearly has an affection for the character, but he doesn’t seem to be pushing himself (or Logan for that matter) into any new territory. Wolverine is fighting the same old villains, and teaming up with bland human spies to travel the world and do all the stuff he’s the best at doing. We’ve seen this series done better before, and it feels like a hugely wasted opportunity.
“New Mutants” – One series that is two
I don’t definitively know what is going on behind the scenes in this series, but my professional assessment is “shenanigans.” It’s really (at least) two series, with two different creative teams. One was a miniseries about the original New Mutants team, and the other is an anthology about random young mutants adjusting to Krakoa. The former is light, breezy, and ultimately a little weightless. The latter is often dark, heavy, and sort of a buzzkill. I like both of these series, but putting them together is to the detriment of both stories. All of that said, there is not enough praise in the world for the art of Rod Reis, who manages to put a spin on the style of the great Bill Sienkiewicz, in what will probably be my favorite art of 2020.
”X-Force” – Highs, lows, and chases
Objectively, there’s about as much wrong with “X-Force” as there is with “New Mutants.” It’s not two distinct series, but it feels similarly loose and disorganized. There have been few issues that I’ve liked in their totality. So why does it rank above “New Mutants”? Per issue, no series has “X-Force” beat for individual moments. The part where Jean and Beast cover up the deaths of those plant people? Domino’s high speed ski chase? Forge sticking Wolverine’s pieces back together while piloting a bio-mech suit!? The bar where everybody know everybody’s name!? This “X-Force” run has never put out a story that I’d deem a classic, but there are tons of moments that will stick with me forever.
“Cable” – More like FiOs
With only one issue out so far, “Cable” had to work hard to make an impression, but it got there. The first issue had everything! You get a good plot with an intriguing and mysterious connection to the Spaceknights, but it doesn’t let you down in moment to moment action either. We get to see what mutant pro wrestling looks like (the answer is awesome). It also gets in a fun, flirty tone thanks to artist Phil Noto. This is the most I’ve enjoyed a “Cable” story in a decade. But it’s only one issue. This series is getting far on potential.
”Giant Size X-Men” – Let artists win
This series is marketing itself as a series of one-shots, but I’m calling it a miniseries (which is is, and truly the distinction is the deepest kind of comic fan pedantry). The premise of this series is simple- Jonathan Hickman went to a bunch of his favorite artists and asked, “What do you want to do?” So far that’s produced a wonderful silent issue from Russell Dauterman (itself a tribute to a similar silent issue by Grant Morrison and Frank Quietly) and a nostalgic caper from the great Alan Davis. It turns out if you grab a bunch of great creators and give them a blank check, they’ll come back with stellar work! If these issues nail the landing, this can easily become a new classic.
“Hellions” – The proof is in the issue
I was deeply skeptical of “Hellions,” but the first issue has really been sticking with me. On paper the team seems sort of random. (We’ve got Havok, Empath, Nanny, Orphan Maker, John Greycrow, Wild Child, plus Psylocke and Sinister). But the issue lays out its purpose very cearly. These are all people who, for various reasons, are going to have trouble living in a society of laws. Some are crazy, some are cursed, some are victims of their own mutant powers. The issue feels like a well-executed shoot-em-up, but there’s already excellent thematic groundwork for a story about crime, laws, redemption, and the nature of evil. It’s everything “Fallen Angels” and “X-Force” are trying to be about, but already pulled off both those premises better and in one issue. I can’t wait to see where it goes next.
“Excalibur” – A story tied in a tangled tesseract
I’ll admit that I sometimes lose the thread of “Excalibur.” This tale of mutant magic is far reaching, introducing tons of insane new ideas and drawing from the craziest comics in Marvel’s most obscure backlog. But my confusion is a feature, not a bug. Magic is mysterious and “Excalibur” has rewarded my faith again and again. Even if I am shaky on some of the hows and whys, every story has always wrapped up spectacularly. The scene-to-scene character work is excellent, and the larger plot stuff has enormous implications for the Marvel Universe. I’m sometimes befuddled, but always entertained by this weirdo series.
“X-Men” – A series with room for everyone
The brilliance of this series cannot be overstated, and I earnestly hope it will be a major influence on licensed comics going forward. There are literally hundreds of X-Men, and all (OK most) of them have stories worth telling. So Jonathan Hickman plotted his “X-Men” series as an anthology. Every issue is about something different, a character at a critical moment. The stories usually end as something is about to happen. Then we cut to the next story. Every so often, we check back in with characters we’ve focused on in the past, and see the progress they have been making. Instead of diluting the stories, it elevates all of them. Every character is part of a tapestry, and none of their adventures feel like something we will ever forget. The scarcity makes the series read like an epic. It’s already baked into most superhero comics that no one person is expected to read every single issue. This series makes that part of the premise. Stories continue on and off the page, and we’ll flash back to the important parts. It teaches the reader to trust the creators to take them on the journey, even if they aren’t seeing every single moment of it.
“Marauders” – This is what X-Men comics should be like
Where “X-Men” feels bold and fresh, “Marauders” feels more traditional. Maybe it’s because it has the pacing of a late 00s comic, which is when I was getting back into sequential images. You got a great team of characters, a clear mission, and multiple mysterious threads. Perspectives can stick with members of the main cast, or jump to a random supporting character. Issues always move the ongoing story forward, but have a discrete focus. But beyond all the well-executed structural decisions, “Marauders” is the X-book that feels the most. It is at times unbearably silly, other times excruciatingly sad. It never feels realistic. This is a superhero soap opera writ large and bright. There’s not a single aspect of comic book storytelling that it lacks. “Marauders” is and continues to be my gold standard of what I want from my Big Two series.
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
Forge
Since coming to Krakoa, Forge has gotten into biotech. Now in the 90s, X-comics were obsessed with the techno-organic aesthetic, but this is slightly different. And rad. And modern. This medal is typically awarded to mutants who are keeping the dream of the 90s alive, but Forge is doing something even cooler. He (through “X-Force” artist Joshua Cassara) is taking the ethos of the 90s, and creating a new over-the-top style to embody radical excess. A salute to the Mutant Maker who has spent Dawn of X driving dark liquor, doing squats, and inventing impracticable weaponry.
“Professor Xavier is a Jerk” Award
Given to a mutant who acted like a real jerk
Sebastian Shaw
Usually, my differentiation between “jerk” and “villain” is that villains aren’t aligned with the heroes. Sebastian Shaw is part of the Krakoan government, one of the key figures in its economy, and probably one of the most destructive forces on the island. He’s sexist. Abusive. He tries to make secret alliances with villains. He provokes potential allies. He also is conspiring to kill Emma Frost and did kill Kate Prdyde,… with a shotgun! Knowing that she probably couldn’t be resurrected! While some villains like Apocalypse and Mystique have proven to be complex figures with some utility to the mutant nation, Shaw has undermined good people at every turn.
Merriest Mutant Award
Given to a mutant who found a rare moment of happiness
Cyclops
It’s a running joke that Cyclops is a maladjusted mess of a man with no hope of ever being a normal guy. So what does it say that he’s going around Krakoa telling everyone that this is the best he’s felt in a long time? Has he finally found sanity? Or has the whole world gone crazy? Either way, we can’t deny that Scott Summers, a chronically sad man who stars in a sad story, is going through a phase where he feels safe. And happy. And useful. He’s the leader of the armed forces of Krakoa, he is back with his ex-wife Jean, and he’s also exploring some sort of relationship with his belligerent rival Logan. For the first time, Scott has a professional outlet for his military talents while also having a joyful home life. We’re all rooting for you Slim.
Fastball Special Award
Given to a duo who exhibited great friendship, collaboration, and teamwork
Sunspot and Cannonball
The best part of “New Mutants” has all been driven by the simmering love between Sunspot and Cannonball. While it amounted to an intergalactic shaggy dog story, their relationship was complicated and lovely. Sunspot led their friends across space, into jail, and into a serious diplomatic incident in order to see Cannonball, his best friend who he loves. Their relationship is larger than life, but also incredibly grounded and relatable. There’s was the story of two guys who grew closer than brothers but one of them got married, had a kid, and moved away. That contrast between the wacky superheroic and the everyday, is what makes “New Mutants” a great series. These two star-crossed lovers reign supreme as the best X-friendship.
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Let’s Talk About X Baby Award
Given to the sweetest, sexiest, bestest romantic couple
Colossus and Domino
Though it sometimes verges into the pretty messed up, Colossus and Domino tell the story of the redemptive power of love. I recently heard someone observe that more lasting relationships are made on the show Survivor than The Bachelor. I guess that’s because it’s easy to fool yourself into thinking you’re in love when everyone is dressed their best in a big mansion shipping champagne. If you fall in love with someone after seeing them wipe their ass with a leaf? That’s real love. And that’s what Colossus and Domino are like. They fell in love at their lowest moment, and they’ve had plenty more lows after that. They don’t love each other at their best or their worst. They love each other despite everything that life throws at them, and when you’re an X-Man that’s quite a lot. These two may not be mentally healthy on their own, but their relationship is actually really beautiful.
MVX: Most Valuable X-Man
Given to an X-Man who embodied the values of the team and showed all around X-cellence
Captain Kate Pryde
Our most frequent winner of this medal is still our reigning champion for the whole Dawn of X. Here’s why: the X-Men are sworn to protect a world that hates and fears them. A lot of times, their heroics take them into situations where they need to kill bad guys, something that’s taboo in a lot of the superhero world. The world is brutal to the X-Men, and sometimes they have to do brutal things. Since the founding of Krakoa, Kate Pryde has been an exile, she’s changed her name and her style. She’s saved innocent humans and mutants, solved mysteries across the world, and permanently crippled bigots. She’s drank whiskey, gotten tattoos, hooked up with strangers, and been murdered in cold blood. She’s done this all to save people, regardless of how they feel about her. If that doesn’t make you the most X-Men, then no one is truly an X-Man. We salute you Kate, may your resurrection come to us soon!
