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!
This month we welcome in the most exciting new X-Books in what feels like ages. Let’s get into it!
Our Flag Means Resurrection
Of all the new series, this one was the biggest question mark. After all, it seems to be essentially carrying off the same premise, but with a new creative team. Well, no reason to be worried. While the previous run of “Marauders” was among my favorite series, it definitely was losing some energy by the end. Consider that energy restored! Captain Kate recruits Cassandra Nova to her pirate crew. Need a refresher?
Cassandra Nova is the twin sister of Charles Xavier, most recently seen as a corpse in “X Lives of Wolverine.” But she is no ordinary twin. Cassandra is a Shi’ar Mummudrai, an evil twin spirit who is the perfect opposite to the target. Cassandra used her sheer psychic powers to stay alive as a mind-ghost, and later manipulated Donald Trask (the cousin of Sentinel inventor Bolivar) into launching an attack on Genosha. This is the attack that led to the death of sixteen million mutants. In many ways, Cassandra’s most evil deed was the main inspiration for Krakoa.
In the events of the first “X-Men Red” series, Cassandra faced down a resurrected Jean Grey. Their struggle was fierce, but ended when Jean gave Cassandra a psychic lobotomy. She restored Cassandra’s ability to feel empathy and remorse, and Cassandra became a changed being. Sort of. Does changing those parts of the mind change a person’s soul?
Those are the sorts of questions that Krakoan X-Men comics thrive in, so already new “Mauraders” is coming in strong. We’ve also got a queer love triangle between Aurora, Daken, and Somnus. And a starring role for Tempo, who the creators want to be your new favorite mutant. Oh and Kate now captains a sweet spaceship. This series started on the right foot!
Deep Space Red
As good as “Marauders” and “Immortal X-Men” have been, “X-Men Red” eats their lunch. This first issue is electrifying! We have a number of perspectives, familiar characters in this unfamiliar Broken Land. Of course Storm is still Regent, and there is still tension with Abigail Brand and her right hand Cable. Magneto is retiring, building castles and fishing with an elderly Arakkan. And Sunspot has opened the first bar on Planet Arakko, with the mission that he will bring disco back.
That’s a great setup, but the execution blew me away. From the moment Magneto sighed, let go of his anger and said, “My name is Max,” I knew this was going to be different. Magneto has mentioned his birth name since it was retconned in 2009’s “Magneto Testament,” but he’s never accepted himself like this. Even when he was ruling Krakoa, we’ve never seen what retirement looks like for the Master of Magnetism. This dude survived Auschwitz, and has been fighting his war for 80 years! I think he deserves at least a vacation.
Then we cut over to Roberto’s bar. It’s sort of a neutral zone where different political factions can rub elbows and throw punches. We see Cyclops’ brother Vulcan get on the wrong side of a Shi’ar patron. There’s a lot of bad blood there from the time Vulcan toppled their whole government. But when Thunderbird gets involved is when things truly get nuts.
Thunderbird first appeared in “Giant Size X-Men” #1. He was dead by the end of “Uncanny X-Men” #95, he is dead. That is three issues. He’s since shown up in flashbacks, as a ghost, as a zombie, but we’ve never seen what the universe looks like with John Proudstar in it. Answer: the dude is still super pissed off! Thunderbird was always an angry character, maybe cartoonishly so. Turns out, he still is! But while everyone else on Krakoa seems to be finding themselves, finding peace, Thunderbird still is full of rage! This is going to be explored in a one shot written by badass pro wrestler Nyla Rose. After seeing John’s characterization here, I couldn’t be more excited.
Continued below
The Party Meets in a Tavern
There was a big ‘ol story called “X of Swords,” so there is plenty of “X-Men” in the fantasy genre. But “Knights of X” may be the first true intentional D&D party of mutants. Think about it. Everyone arrives with their own class.
Leading the team is Betsy Braddock, Captain Britain. Betsy has been many things over her career, including a ninja, but her new role sees her taking up sword and shield and remaining morally pure in the face of great hardship. She sounds like a classic Paladin to me. And honestly? Good role for her. I prefer Betsy when she’s leading from the front. A couple of her recruits are pretty obvious. Gambit is a Rogue, yeah? He’s literally married to one, but he’s also a charming master thief. And Rictor has explicitly been called a Druid! He’s always been connected to the earth, but now he is complimenting his powers with magic from the grimoire of Apocalypse.
Rictor is seen here back together with his ex-boyfriend Shatterstar. Yay! Shatterstar is a powerful goof, but his favorite thing is fighting. He likes it so much in fact, that he could simply be described as a Fighter. Next to him, we have another hard hitting warrior- Bei the Blood Moon. Her otherworldly nature, as well as her penchant for spiked weaponry is Barbarian stuff.
It wouldn’t be much of a party without some spellcasters. There’s Meggan, aka Gloriana. She’s part mutant, part faerie, with sometimes out of control shapeshifting powers. Unpredictable magic from a mysterious lineage describes a Sorcerer. On the other side of things we have Rachel Grey aka Prestige. She hails from an alternate future and her many powers include looking through time. Rachel is a Wizard of the Divination School.
Anyone who knows Jubilee knows she’s the Bard. She can throw a great diversion, and she’s full of positive energy to uplift her party. Her son Shogo is a little tricky though. As a baby who can turn into a dangerous dragon, he seems most like an animal companion.
The last two members of the party are less certain. They are lesser known as characters, and only show up towards the end of the first issue. Kylun is an animalistic mutant with powers over sound. Maybe he will turn out to be the party’s Monk? And the final Knight of X is a figure from actual mythology- Mordred, the son of King Arthur. And it turns out that Mordred is a mutant! We don’t know the full extent of his powers yet. Hopefully he’ll turn out to be a Ranger, or better yet, a Cleric. They could use some more support on this team! Or maybe it will turn out that he’s not a D&D character so much as an NPC.
X-Books read:
“Marauders” #1 – Woo! Steve Orlando brings fresh life to Krakoa’s messiest pirate crew.
“X-Men Red” #1 – X-Men meets Deep Space Nine? This issue made me giddy with excitement.
“X-Force” #27 – A pretty good issue takes some time to sit with the ending of “X Lives and X Deaths” and continues the rehabilitation of Omega Red
“X-Force Annual” #1 – This issue was self-contained and a lot of fun! Oh and look, a brand new creative team, imagine that.
“Wolverine” #20 – This book certainly has Deadpool in it. That’s the kindest sentiment I can muster.
“X-Men” #10 – Another solid issue of superhero shenanigans. This book feels slow next to the others this month.
“Knights of X” #1 – A strong reset for Otherworld and mutant magic. If this momentum persists, this could be an Otherworld classic!
“Sabretooth” #3 – This series continues to be magnificent.
“X-Men ‘92: House of XCII” #1 – Funny sure, but slight. Not as impactful as I’d hoped.
