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’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!
Holy masterpiece Batman! Just when you thought “X-Men” comics couldn’t be hotter, June 2022 rolls around. There’s a lot to discuss, let’s get into it.
Blindfold lives!
The establishment of Krakoa came with a bunch of rules. There were the mutant laws sure, but then there was a secret rule. I’m talking about the ‘no precogs rule.’ Moira, who ruled Krakoa from the shadows, was so scared of Destiny that she mandated that any precogs stay dead. But Moira is gone- on the run, working with the bad guys. And thus, Destiny has returned, young, spooky, and totally in love with Mystique. But there’s another precog spotted on krakoa this month. I am talking about Ruth Aldine, aka Blindfold.
Ruth died in “X-Men” comics before Krakoa. In fact, I covered her death in the early days of this column, way back in March of 2019. (Oh what simple times those were). Her death was tragic; a suicide after seeing potential tragedy in the future. Now she’s back, resurrected like any mutant on Krakoa. Sort of. Blindfold has forsaken physical existence for something else. She is camped out in Legion’s mindspace.
Blindfold first showed up in Joss Whedon and John Cassaday’s “Astonishing X-Men.” She was mostly an intriguing background character until a little series called “X-Men Legacy,” a comic run deemed so literary it’s been adapted multiple times, including as a TV show called “Legion” on FX. Weird that we’ve never gotten a proper adaptation of Banshee, Bishop, and Psylocke, but we’ve gotten a show about Legion. Anyways, the point is that most of Blindfold’s characterization happened in the pages of that series written by, get this, Si Spurrier. The same guy who is bringing her back now.
“Legion of X” has a lot going on, but it’s actually nice to see Spurrier returning to his pet characters. It makes a lot of sense that Blindfold, whose powers alter her perceptions beyond those of a regular human, who chooses not to live in the same physical space as humans. It’s nice to see her and David so deeply in love. But most of all, it’s nice that Krakoa is so radically inclusive, it allows pocket realities to make mutants comfortable.
Banshee Can’t Catch a Break
Also in the pages of “Legion of X”- we’re getting some good Banshee content! I love Sean Cassidy. When Banshee first joined the X-Men in the 70s, he was the token middle aged dude on a team of horny 20 year olds. Cyclops and Storm and Iceman would be going to a trendy cafe; Banshee would sit on the porch of the X Mansion reading a newspaper. His best comics run was in the 90s series “Generation X,” where he and Emma administer the school for mutants. Then Banshee was killed in an exploding plane in 2005’s “Deadly Genesis.” Since his death though, the dude cannot catch a freaking break.
He flirted with undeath in the pages of “Incredible Hercules.” He was one of the many mutants brought back as a zombie in Selene’s bid for power. That was in the “Necrosha” crossover. Banshee was also brought back as a Horseman of Death, who battled the Uncanny Avengers. Failed nanotech allowed Banshee to walk around, use his power, but he did not seem able to talk or even think. He was a zombie thrall of Hope’s.
So it’s nice that Banshee gets another shot on Krakoa. Nice but… even in paradise he has the worst luck. In this case, a possession. A mad god named Mother Righteous is tearing across Krakoa, and she uses Banshee’s body to get around. By the end of “Legion of X” #3, Mother Righteous is no longer focussing her efforts on Banshee alone, but it doesn’t seem like he’s escaped her machinations. I really hope after this misadventure, Banshee gets to just be a happy-buy-uncool middle aged guy.
Continued below
Magneto Is Rad
You know Magneto? The master of magnetism? For my money, no comic book villain has had as many totally badass moments. It’s every couple of days with this guy. He’s dabbled in regular old supervillainy, trying to steal missiles. But remember him putting on his fuscia best and standing trial for his crimes? Or Octopusheim, his creepy Lovecraft-themed private island.
He also had a secret space base! He popped out of it for a second (INTO SPACE) and declared, “I am Magneto, and this is my home!” That was friggin’ cool. He took out a police precinct using levitated office supplies. Torture is messed up, but it was undeniably awesome when he turned his powers against escaped Nazis in X-Men First Class. Even in the Krakoa era, he’s been cool. When the plant people were invading, did Magneto back down? No, he started ripping satellites out of space to use as crushing weapons.
This long preface is to emphasize, when I say the best Magneto moment ever happened in June of 2022, I don’t want you to take that lightly. I’m talking about his duel with Tarn the Uncaring. Tarn has shown up as a menace in other Krakoa books, most notably in Hellions. He’s scary. He enslaved Mr. Sinister. He’s a big deal, that’s Apocalypse-style villainy.
Magneto was on the rocks for a second. But then he used one of his greatest assets- his psychic-resistant helmet. He wasn’t wearing the helmet, oh no. He placed it on Tarn’s head and squeezed. Now Magneto occupies Tarn’s seat on the Great Ring. His first day in office, the Arakkis challenged him on his immortality. To them, immortality represents eternal tyranny. Did Magneto bat an eye? Hell no! He deleted his backups, rendering his death permanent. Looking right at you, the reader, Magneto declares, “I do not fear a life that ends.” He destroys Storm’s backup too.
Vulnerability is cool, and Magneto just through away his greatest protection. He is raw, honest, and alive. He and Storm both are trying so hard to learn of and respect Arakki culture that they are willing to put everything on the line for what they believe in. They are willing to be seen as weak, because they know they are truly strong. Man, Magneto and Storm are cool.
Cyborg Witches Do It Better
My buddy Joe (a reviewer here on Multiversity comics dot com!) has a strong sense of brand, and I’ve always been jealous. He likes the big gruff guys with a heart of gold. Strong Guy makes the cut, Beast, Wolverine. And here I am not knowing my brand. I don’t know what the common thread is that gets me excited, my undeniable aesthetic. And then I read “New Mutants” #26. “Oh,” I said. “I like Cyborg Witches.”
In this issue we meet a future version of Ilyana Rasputin, one who looks like a demonic version of Cable. And dear readers, this got me hootin’ and hollerin’. Look at that design! The horns! The fur! The black lipstick! The 6-foot-long sword with a cartoon face on it! I saw this page and I knew this was my new obsession.
Obviously, this version of Magik is one of the many potential futures for the X-Men, one where she becomes the world’s foremost slayer of demons. It’s a cool story, elevated to legendary status by the great Rod Reis. This Magik will not come to be; she is giving her mutant responsibilities over to Madelyne Pryor. But the New Mutants are forever changed by their encounter with cyborg Ilyana. And I am too. Now I know what to cosplay, once I make my triumphant return to comic cons. It feels nice to have a brand!
Rockslide At Peace
Just when I thought I was done thinking about “X-Men Red,” I remembered this. This scene was… sad and beautiful and really mind-blowing. I guess I’m still thinking about it. I’m talking about Sunspot’s conversation with Rockslide in “X-Men Red” #4.
If you need a little reminder, Rockslide, FKA Santo Vaccarro, was a mutant youth who was killed in “X of Swords.” Unlike most mutants, Rockslide can’t be resurrected. That’s because he was killed (betrayed by his friend, the Arakki Summoner) in Otherworld. Because Otherworld is a magical multiversal nexus, mutants killed there don’t get recorded properly by Cerebro. Instead, they are resurrected using a random assortment of parts and memories from across the multiverse. The experience doesn’t seem pleasant.
But Rockslide has found peace. The kids of the island are scared of him, they call him Wrongslide. And he’s embraced that name! This is not the same loud, assertive kid. Wrongslide is much more thoughtful, much more reflective. He even embraces the idea of his own death, especially if that could give a future to another Rockslide. Santo’s death has been referenced a bunch, but this is the first time Wrongslide has been given his own characterization. And despite my broken heart over Santo’s death, I couldn’t help but be moved by Wrongslide’s alien perspective.
Gambit in Pieces
And then this has to happen! It would seem that another mutant has died in Otherworld. There have been a couple, most notably Gorgon, who perished in the “X of Swords” tournament. But it seems a much higher profile has bitten the omniversal dust.
The cliffhanger at the end of “Knights of X” #3 is a fiery explosion and the death of Gambit. Potentially, X-Men have survived much worse before. But this poses a chilling possibility. Rogue and Gambit have grown into one of the most stable couples in Mutantdom. (The bar is set quite low). When Kate left Colossus at the altar, it was Rogue and Gambit who snuck in (like thieves in the night) to get married. Why let that cake go to waste? And they went on a cosmic honeymoon. They moved into a place on Krakoa full of cats and hot tubs. It would be madness to come up with a contrived reason why they would split.
Unless Gambit came back wrong. If that is indeed the case, Gambit would experience a reboot of sorts and Rogue would be single and ready to mingle. The possibility is exciting! But the tragedy tugs at my heartstrings. Sometimes that’s just the way things go in a superhero soap opera.
X-Books read:
“Legion of X” #2 – Already collapsing under its own weight, this issue gives great snapshots into life on Krakoa.
“Marauders” #3 – Way too much Shi’ar stuff, needs more Cassandra Nova.
“Wolverine” #22 – More of a Deadpool issue than a Wolverine, there’s some entertaining stuff in here.
“X-Men Red” #3 – One of the best issues of “X-Men” ever. Holy crap.
“X-Men Red: #4 – Just when you thought this series couldn’t get any better. Unbelievable.
“Immortal X-Men” #3 – Gorgeous art compliments an issue by a Kieron Gillen at the height of his powers.
“X-Men” #12 – Very cool scene-to-scene, but something off on the macro level.
“New Mutants” #26 – This Magik arc continues to be a highlight for this now long-running series.
“Knights of X” #3 – Still packed to the gills with oodles of ideas, still very fun to read!
