In 2019, it’s easy to say that a comic is about fascism, white nationalism, totalitarianism, communism, or whatever brand of worldview has captured the general population’s attention, for better or for worse. For Hickman’s work in “House of X” and “Powers of X,” this was especially true.
After all the buildup in those two prequels, “X-Men” #1 is decidedly not for or against any of those ideologies listed above. It doesn’t even allude to them. Instead, it shows people on two sides of a conflict making the best decisions they can to embrace life and protect the people who they love.
“X-Men” #1 focuses on Scott Summers, who has long been one of the most controversial characters in that world. Although he’s the most classically heroic of the X-Men bunch, he’s also had a lot of negative publicity. Issue #1 is told mostly through Scott’s perspective, meaning that you’re reading everything through rose-colored glasses.
In “X-Men” #1, you see the key moments in Scott’s journey from someone afraid to open his eyes to someone “choosing to spend [his] days focused on the things that make [him] want to live.” In the Summer House, situated on a Krakoan biome located adjacent to the Blue Area of the moon (with a bitching view of planet Earth), Scott, Cyclops, Wolverine, Jean, Vulcan, Havok, Calbe, and Rachel live together in an expansive mansion that also serves as a tactical base for mutants. This communal, family-oriented living situation harkens back to the living situations of immigrant families in America during the early 1900s.
Similarly, you have Director Devo, who controls the orchis Forge, humanity’s great doomsday weapon created to save them from extinction. Like Professor Xavier’s face, Devo’s is covered by a device that enhances his powers. In this case, Devo was born blind, but uses the headgear to see — much like Scott Summers.
Though the similarities mentioned above are mostly visual, they harken to some fundamental truth: both men are searching for a way to save their people. This is only possible if they believe in something bigger than themselves: whether that be the weapon that is a community of mutants, or a giant weapon floating in the sky.
“X-Men” #1 is all about finding the commonality between two opposing sides of a major conflict. It’s about discovering how fear, vulnerability, and hope can unite two very different kinds of people for the exact same reasons. And that’s why “X-Men” #1 one of most brave and potentially controversial comics of the year. You won’t want to miss this.
Marvel Comics (Wr) Donny Cates (A/CA) Ryan Stegman
This MUCH anticipated story, created by Cates and Stegman (an ABSOLUTE power-house team), has promised to break comic book sale records — and we are holding our breath waiting to get our grubby little mitts on this comic.
Branching out into five additional mini-series that will run along-side the main title of ABSOLUTE CARNAGE, I am sure that this series will rock Marvel sales for the next few months. Donny Cates notoriously creates insanely captivating stories and new characters that I think we will see within the first three issues of the main series. Buckle up, folks, because there will be CARNAGE!
House of X #2 (of 6)
Marvel Comics (Wr) Jonathan Hickman (A/CA) Pepe Larraz
The first issue of this series sucked me in like a fly to honey, which shocked me, especially because I have never really been interested in any other modern X-Men stories. This story is NEXT LEVEL. It definitely lives up to the mass-hype that was created prior to its release, which I think will also carry over for years to come.
This series is a MUST READ!
COFFIN BOUND #1
Image Comics (Wr) Dan Watters (A/CA) Dani
This comic has received nothing but RAVE reviews. Here a few of my favorites:
“Coffin Bound is a comic with a strong pulse that bleeds all over your hands while reading. You should give it a read.” – Declan Shalvey
“A gore-splattered-but poetic-road trip with one of the strangest stripper scenes in comics.” – John Harris Dunning
“Gorgeous and odd and very much its own unique monster. I am jealous at its filthy strangeness.” – Ivan Brandon
BERSERKER UNBOUND #1 (of 4) CVR A DEODATO
Dark Horse Publishing Jeff Lemire (A/CA) Mike Deodato
Jeff Lemire, swords, sorcery, and evil wizards?! TAKE MY MONEY!
LOIS LANE #2 (of 12)
DC Comics (Wr) Greg Rucka (A/CA) Mike Perkins Lois Lane’s investigation of an international conspiracy forces her to keep secrets from Clark, who, being completely in the dark, can not help her. Though she does find unexpected help from the streets of Gotham City…
DCEASED #4 (of 6)
DC Comics Tom Taylor (A) Trevor Hairsine, Stefano Guadiano (CA) Andy Kubert
It seems like this is the part of the story where hope is crushed by the reality that being hopeful might prove to be fruitless in a world overrun with zombies. The Daily Planet becomes a haven for those who are not infected with the virus, but can they stay safe in a city full of humans and super-humans infected with the Anti-Life Equation? Methinks not..
Geopolitics, genocide, drugs, religion, corporate entities, Magneto — House of X #1 has it all. This is the kind of story that requires you to pay attention.
That one promo image for HOUSE OF X that you’ve seen 5,000 times.
The Most Important Things from HOUSE OF X #1
Humans of the planet Earth. While you slept, the world changed.
Professor X, epigraph
What is Krakoa?
Krakoa is Charles Xavier’s perfect mutant habitat, a garden of Eden with no snake, no fruit of knowledge, no Eve, no Adam — and especially no God. The island is the seat of the sovereign mutant nation-state established two months ago.
Cyclops says that “New beginnings demand a wide berth.” In the opening pages, we see X-Men planting flowers around the world over a five month period. They’re planting roots in the natural world to grow the infrastructure of their sovereign mutant nation.
Only mutants can access Krakoa. Advantageous gateways allow mutants to travel all around the world via the Krakoan ecosystem, but only mutants can access those portals. If humans are present, the gateway grants or denies permission for them to enter — but only if a mutant asks on the human’s behalf.
Make no mistake: Charles Xavier is creating a distinct culture, with its own language, land, economy, environment, and drugs.
The Flowers of Krakoa
This chapter title refers to the flowers/drugs that allow mutants to access different environments and states of consciousness unavailable to humans.
We learn that Xavier acquired a pharmaceutical company to produce pills that enhance the immune system, lifespan, and mental health of humans exclusively.
This sets up an interesting contrast between humans and mutants. Mutants: natural (flowers), community-centered. Humans: synthetic (pills), self-centered.
Krakoa Pacific
The introductory pages provide a geography of Krakoa, with indicators to 12 key locations.
According to Dr. Gregor, who is a pretty foundational character in the series, humans only have 20 years left before extinction.
Pan to outer space, where we see The Forge — a space station shaped like a giant Sentinel head. This outpost will help humanity “survive the coming days” in accordance with the Orchis Protocol (explained below).
Orchis Protocol: Build for Doomsday
This protocol is a response to a unique scenario when human population is threatened with extinction, the moment when natural selection finally chooses mutantkind over mankind.
The word “Orchis” is derived from Greek for “testicle.”
Three triggers cause this doomsday scenario, and they’re distinctly political:
Population: mutant gene rates are escalating
Financial: Charles Xavier acquired the seventh-largest pharmaceutical company in the world to make cure-all pills, a move predicted to destabilize the industry and provide him a unique advantage
Territorial: the nation of Krakoa is established
After this context, we see mutants obtain a copy of the combined database from 2 smartest people in the world. They are confronted with the Fantastic Four upon their escape. The contents of the data are unknown, and it makes a solid cliffhanger.
Damage Control
There is a corporate entity weaponizing Iron Man’s and Mister Fantastic’s technology. They add this ownerless intellectual property to an archive of similar assets where there is no clear chain of custody over that intellectual property.
Scott Summers/Cyclops tries to diffuse the situation with the Fantastic Four. using it as an opportunity to state Xavier’s politics. This moment draws an interesting and deliberate line between Marvel’s heroes and their ideologies.
Omega Level
The book ends by suggesting Magneto finally has his chance to be a god.
HOUSE OF X variant covers
Omega Level mutants are an elite class of the world’s most powerful mutants, of whom the Krakoan state is especially protective. Magneto is one of these rare beings.
Charles Xavier has made you an offer — one full of grace and brotherly love — but one that is also written in stone. This is not a negotiation. Things will be different now, and the sooner you realize the finality of your situation — and the inevitability of ours — the sooner you will be grateful for the things we are so generously giving to you.
Magneto
Mutants are the new gods, so it’s fitting that the ever-dramatic Magneto needed to make this statement in Jerusalem, the birthplace of the three Abrahamic religions: Islam, Christianity, and Judaism.
Time is a Flat Circle
The book, after starting with a quote from Charles Xavier, ends with a Magneto quote.
I have a new word for the lexicon of man: KRAKOA. And in the future, when you speak it, make sure you do so softly and with proper deference. For we will be listening.
Magneto
This speaks to the unity of mutants, and also makes the reader question just how aligned Xavier and Magneto really are. Would Xavier threaten humanity this blatantly? Is he already doing that?
HOUSE OF X & POWERS OF X Reading Order
“Two Series That Are One.”
House of X #1
July 24, 2019
Powers of X #1
July 31, 2019
House of X #2
August 7, 2019
Powers of X #2
August 14, 2019
Powers of X #3
August 21, 2019
House of X #3
August 28, 2019
House of X #4
September 4, 2019
Powers of X #4
September 11, 2019
House of X #5
September 18, 2019
Powers of X #5
September 25, 2019
House of X #6
October 2, 2019
Powers of X #6
October 9, 2019
Rating 9.5/10
Jonathan Hickman writes a unique premise that engages a lot of contemporary social and political issues.
Incredible graphic design from Tom Muller.
Bright and luscious colors from Marte Gracia softened the heaviness of Pepe Larraz’s lines, creating art that is on par for Marvel.
![[Review]: X-Men #1 — Humankind and Mutantkind Aren’t so Different](https://secretsocietycomics.home.blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/x-men-cover.jpg?w=825&h=510&crop=1)
Jeff Lemire (A/CA) Mike Deodato
Secret Society Comics 