After the fall of Krakoa following the Hellfire Gala massacre of 2023, mutant-kind has been scattered across the Earth and space as they try to fight against ORCHIS. However, their resistance has failed, and with each attempt, humanity and artificial intelligence slowly crush them. Now, ten years in the future, the remains of the X-Men must make one final stand to prevent ORCHIS from achieving their goals and save the future in the process.  

Much like with last week’s Fall of the House of X #1, Rise of the Powers of X #1 serves as not only the ending for the Krakoan age but also a mirror to 2019’s Powers of X. Considering how much Krakoa not only challenged what the X-Men meant as a science fiction series, but what could be explored through it. In order to close up this era the creatives need to stick the landing. Much like mutation, Rise of the Powers of X #1 continues upon the strong foundation laid through the past four years of publication while pushing forward into engrossing territories. 

Suffice it to say, it is hard to thoroughly review Rise of the Powers of X #1 without going into full spoilers since it is best to experience it with as little prior detail as possible. Even from the first panel, I became immediately engrossed in the story and felt the need to devour it and reread it almost immediately. Like Powers of X, it does not hold your hand as it drops you off in the future but leaves enough crumbs for you to piece together what has happened within the ten-year time skip to not only the characters but also the world. More importantly, the stakes have escalated within the time jump, and ORCHIS becomes a much more dangerous and dire threat. Not every X-Men will make it out alive, and you feel the weight of the sacrifice and how much they need to overcome the impossible odds to succeed.

Considering not only his previous X-Men titles but even work like Peter Cannon Thunderbolt or Eternals, Kieron Gillen has a talent for engrossing world-building with high-concept science fiction. In many ways, his writing on Sins of Sinister serves as a precursor to what he does in the first issue of this series. In addition, the Rise of the Powers of X #1 picks up the threads from his Krakoan series and becomes a coda to it as well. Gillen expertly balances the bombastic spectacle with strong character writing where neither feels overshadowed by the other. 

Yet this series would not fully work without R. B. Silva’s dynamic artwork. Considering how much he helped shape the Krakoan age by drawing Powers of X, his return is highly welcomed and provides an excellent link between both series. Paired with David Curiel’s fantastic colors and impressive lettering by Clayton Cowles, the issue is a beauty to read and look at. My eyes would focus on details like the computer hubs, Nimrod’s lettering, and the unique layouts.  

The most impressive aspect of Rise of the Powers of X #1 is its ability to stand independently despite utilizing what came before. It could have been easy for the series to try to recapture the lightning in the bottle of Powers of X, but I am glad the series exists as its own unique beast. As Krakoa ends, Rise of the Powers of X #1 provides an impressive and exhilarating path towards that point.

Story: Kieron Gillen Art: R. B. Silva
Color: David Curiel Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Story: 9.0 Art: 9.0 Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Read

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

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Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle