Trapped in the White Hot Room, most Krakoa survivors are trying to find a way to leave this prison. Simultaneously, Charles Xavier is still dealing with the guilt that the exiled mutants are dead while working with Mr. Sinister’s consciousness, who is still trapped inside his head. Unraveling the plans of the Enigma dominion, Xavier and Sinister, along with others, work in the No-Place to save the timeline from the timelines. Kieron Gillen and Luca Maresca pell back the layers of how this unique team formed in X-Men Forever #1.

Although not one of the original writers of the Krakoa age, Gillen’s Immortal X-Men has been one of the big titles that pushed the overarching narrative forward in impressive and thought-provoking ways. X-Men Forever #1 serves as the final issue for the series as he wraps up the plot points and arcs he seeded throughout it. The decisions feel earned as he ties a lovely ribbon around it. Starting with a flashback from the first issue of Immortal X-Men, Gillen gives more context to what Destiny said to Sinister and why. We understood what scared Destiny and why she had allowed this path. Considering how Irene and Raven have been the main focus of the previous title, the acknowledgment of the events in X-Men Origins: Blue not only provides greater cohesion across the titles but complicates their relationship further. Can their love be immortal, or will it be tested too hard this time? As mutant-kind gets more desperate in their fight against the machines, this focus on Irene and Raven helps ground this vast conflict.

In addition, X-Men Forever #1 satisfactorily fills in the crucial details left unanswered in The Rise of the Powers of X. Instead of simply solving, Gillen bridges the gap between his two series as he showcases the decisions and choices made by the characters, which leads to The Rise of the Powers of X. The mystery serves the characters, their arcs, and their choices, and it never comes across as plugging up plot holes or tying loose ends, but it demonstrates the transitioning of the characters to the endgame. Although this issue drops in the middle of the Fall of X, I appreciate these choices being left hidden and having the readers speculate since the answers are incredibly satisfying in both the plot and characterizations. 

Maresca’s art serves in tandem with Gillen’s writing while aligning with the visual style of Immortal X-Men, which allows this issue to serve as a proper finale for the series. The one-page splash of Irene’s future visions is a real highlight, only strengthened by Federico Blee’s coloring. I also appreciate Maresca putting his spin on the flashback scenes, which feel distinct and not derivative of what came before. Lettering by VC’s Clayton Cowles also provides excellent cohesion to the previous series. 

X-Men Forever # 1 serves as a crucial story for Fall of X, not only filling readers in on what has happened between Immortal X-Men and Rise of the Powers of X but also closing out the former series. As a big fan of Gillen’s Krakoan work, I am sad that it has to end, but I am happy that he consistently demonstrates his planned ending. X-Men Forever #1 once again demonstrates the impact he made on the series as a whole. 

Story: Kieron Gillen Art: Luca Maresca
Color: Federico Blee Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Story: 8.8 Art: 8.8 Overall: 8.8 Recommendation: Read

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review