(W) Kieron Gillen (A) Lucas Werneck (CA) Mark Brooks RATED T+ In Shops: Mar 30, 2022 SRP: $5.99
IN THE QUIET COUNCIL, NO ONE CAN HEAR YOU SCREAM!
The Quiet Council rules the Krakoan age, for better… or worse. Now, shaken by INFERNO and X LIVES / X DEATHS OF WOLVERINE they strive to hold together, no matter how much they want to tear each other apart. Writer Kieron Gillen (UNCANNY X-MEN, ETERNALS, The Wicked + The Divine, Die) returns to the world of X with artist Lucas Werneck (TRIAL OF MAGNETO) to bring us all into the room where it happens. “It” being “the most powerful people on Earth deciding the fate of the whole planet.” Prepare for sinister secrets to be revealed and learn that some secrets are more sinister than others…
After a brief interlude with X Lives of Wolverine and X Deaths of Wolverine, the next phase of Marvel’s X-Men kicks off with Immortal X-Men #1. With Jonathan Hickman no longer guiding the direction, Destiny of X is a launching point to see where various creators can take the toys that Hickman set up over the previous few years. Immortal X-Men feels like the new “flagship” for the line taking over the role “Uncanny” held for decades with its focus on the Quiet Council and its heavy hitters. The focus isn’t just the latest threat to deal with but the grand direction for mutantkind impacting every other X-Men comic being released.
Writer Kieron Gillen returns to the X-Men after a memorable run on Uncanny X-Men. For those that read that, it should be no surprise the debut issue centers around Mr. Sinister who acts as our tour guide taking us through the politics and machinations of Krakoa and its ruling council.
Gillen continues to bring a bit of flair to Sinister who delivers ego, humor, and devious insight into the goings on. Sinister also seems to be at the center of what potentially could be major ramifications for mutantkind and Krakoa if he’s found out. But Gillen weaves back into history setting up a relationship between Sinister and Destiny which goes back a hundred years. There’s a great mix of sinister and humor to it all with political dancing that eventually flows into the action and reveal we all expect to come.
Gillen’s story is enhanced by the art of Lucas Werneck whose style is perfect for the tone of it all. Joined by David Curiel on color and lettering by Clayton Cowles, the comic’s imagery is as important as what is said. The body language of characters is key to Sinister’s comments and observations and we get an idea of some of what is getting him to come to his conclusions. There’s also Sinister himself whose body language is beyond comedic and lightens what could easily be a rather dour and serious debut. The characters look great and it really is the small details of all of the reactions that make the comic stand out. Sinister’s observations put them all in the spotlight and the art team pulls it off and then some.
Immortal X-Men #1 kicks things off setting the X-Men in a whole new direction. It builds off of what has come before and sets up so much new to come. Its humor keeps things light and funny delivering an engaging start that’s not to be missed.
Story: Kieron Gillen Art: Lucas Werneck Color: David Curiel Letterer: Clayton Cowles Design: Tom Muller Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5 Recommendation: Buy
Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Wednesdays (and Tuesdays) are new comic book day! Each week hundreds of comics are released, and that can be pretty daunting to go over and choose what to buy. That’s where we come in
Each week our contributors choose what they can’t wait to read this week or just sounds interesting. In other words, this is what we’re looking forward to and think you should be taking a look at!
Find out what folks think below, and what comics you should be looking out for this week.
Batman: Beyond the White Knight #1 (DC Comics) – We’re intrigued where Sean Gordon Murphy takes his sandbox of the DC world in this latest series and volume.
Call Me Nathan (SelfMadeHero) – Based on the true story of one person’s transition.
Cities of Magick #1 (Scout Comics) – It’s a decade-old war between to powerful magick clans!
DC vs. Vampires #6 (DC Comics) – Who’s the Vampire King? We find out!
G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero Saturday Morning Adventures #2 (IDW Publishing) – The first issue perfectly capture the feel of the cartoon series in every aspect.
Immortal X-Men #1 (Marvel) – The next phase of the world of the X-Men really kicks off here courtesy of Kieron Gillen and Lucas Werneck. We’re intrigued what this duo can bring and how things shift.
The Killer: Affairs of State #2 (BOOM! Studios/Archaia) – The first issue gave us a new status-quo for The Killer. Now working for French Intelligence, the series seems like it’s focused on corrupt government officials and delivers the same complex stories we’ve come to enjoy.
My Date with Monsters #5 (AfterShock) – The series has been a great mix of horror, comedy, and rom com and we’re intrigued and excited to see how it all wraps up.
Ranger Stranger #2 (Scout Comics) – The first issue was short comics that hand us laughing out loud and crying from laughing so hard. Here’s hoping the second delivers a similar amount of insanity.
Season of the Bruja #1 (Oni Press) – A story of magic that looks to have a solid amount of real world culture and history mixed in based on the writer’s own family’s traditions.
(W) Kieron Gillen (A) Lucas Werneck (CA) Mark Brooks RATED T+ In Shops: Mar 30, 2022 SRP: $5.99
IN THE QUIET COUNCIL, NO ONE CAN HEAR YOU SCREAM!
The Quiet Council rules the Krakoan age, for better… or worse. Now, shaken by INFERNO and X LIVES / X DEATHS OF WOLVERINE they strive to hold together, no matter how much they want to tear each other apart. Writer Kieron Gillen (UNCANNY X-MEN, ETERNALS, The Wicked + The Divine, Die) returns to the world of X with artist Lucas Werneck (TRIAL OF MAGNETO) to bring us all into the room where it happens. “It” being “the most powerful people on Earth deciding the fate of the whole planet.” Prepare for sinister secrets to be revealed and learn that some secrets are more sinister than others…
This year’s Hellfire Gala will once again be a night overflowing with action, drama, and FASHION. And this time around, mutants won’t be the only ones slaying the Green Carpet. The other heroes of the Marvel Universe are getting into the fun with extremely stylish looks of their own, all designed by some of the industry’s most inventive artists! Superstar Russell Dauterman returns to lead the campaign to elevate Marvel Comics fashion like never before alongside artists Carmen Carnero, Iban Coello, Chris Bachalo, Jen Bartel, Mateus Manhanini, Mahmud Asrar, Miguel Mercado, Meghan Hetrick, InHyuk Lee, and Eric D’Urso. Combining real fashion trends with classic super hero aesthetics, mutant power signatures, and more, these bold takes on your favorite Marvel characters can be seen in both the upcoming X-Men: Hellfire Gala one-shot and on a series of 20 gorgeous variant covers throughout June!
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #5 HELLFIRE GALA VARIANT COVER by RUSSELL DAUTERMAN – Spider-Man
BLACK PANTHER #7 HELLFIRE GALA VARIANT COVER by ERICA D’URSO – Captain Marvel
FANTASTIC FOUR #45 HELLFIRE GALA VARIANT COVER by RUSSELL DAUTERMAN – Doctor Doom
IRON MAN #21 HELLFIRE GALA VARIANT COVER by IBAN COELLO – Iron Man
MILES MORALES: SPIDER-MAN #39 HELLFIRE GALA VARIANT by RUSSELL DAUTERMAN – Black Widow
MOON KNIGHT #12 HELLFIRE GALA VARIANT COVER by RUSSELL DAUTERMAN – Scarlet Witch
WOLVERINE #22 HELLFIRE GALA VARIANT COVER by RUSSELL DAUTERMAN – Wolverine
AVENGERS #57 HELLFIRE GALA VARIANT COVER by CARMEN CARNERO – Captain America
CAPTAIN AMERICA: SYMBOL OF TRUTH #2 HELLFIRE GALA VARIANT COVER by MATEUS MANHANINI – Captain America
GAMBIT #2 HELLFIRE GALA VARIANT COVER by RUSSELL DAUTERMAN – Gambit
HULK #8 HELLFIRE GALA VARIANT COVER by RUSSELL DAUTERMAN – She-Hulk
KNIGHTS OF X #3 HELLFIRE GALA VARIANT COVER by MAHMUD ASRAR – Rogue
MARAUDERS #4 HELLFIRE GALA VARIANT COVER by RUSSELL DAUTERMAN – Synch
X-MEN RED #4 HELLFIRE GALA VARIANT COVER by JEN BARTEL – Jean Grey
IMMORTAL X-MEN #4 HELLFIRE GALA VARIANT COVER by MEGHAN HETRICK – Emma Frost
LEGION OF X #3 HELLFIRE GALA VARIANT COVER by RUSSELL DAUTERMAN – Havok
NEW MUTANTS #27 HELLFIRE GALA VARIANT COVER by RUSSELL DAUTERMAN – Magik
In addition to another installment of Marvel’s Voices: Pride, Marvel Comics will also celebrate Pride Month with a brand-new collection of variant covers. Extraordinary comic book artists Luciano Vecchio and Betsy Cola will team up to depict some of the most beloved and rising Marvel stars that belong to the LGBTQI+ community. A total of eight covers, this artwork showcasing these powerful heroes and warriors will be featured on select Marvel issues throughout June.
Here’s who will be spotlighted in this vibrant and celebratory cover series:
Somnus – A mutant hero with the power to control dreams, Somnus debuted in a poignant story in last year’s MARVEL’S VOICES: PRIDE and now a member of Kate Pryde’s mutant rescue squad in MARAUDERS.
Aaron Fischer – Also known as the Captain America of the Railways, Aaron made a big splash during Captain America’s 80th Anniversary in THE UNITED STATES OF CAPTAIN AMERICA limited series. Look out for him in upcoming issues of the ALLIGATOR LOKI INFINITY COMIC.
Destiny – The recently resurrected classic X-Men foe now serves as one of the most prominent leaders of mutantkind. See what the future holds for her in the upcoming IMMORTAL X-MEN series.
Iceman – An original X-Man, Iceman is fresh off a stint on the Marauders that saw him use his omega-level abilities in some of his most impressive feats yet and the next big thing for this iconic hero is just on the horizon. Keep an eye out on upcoming X-Men issues to see what title he’ll be ice sliding into next!
Karma – A founding member of the New Mutants, Karma uses her many years of experience defending Charles Xavier’s dream to guide the next generation of mutantkind in the current run of NEW MUTANTS.
America Chavez – The breakout star of the Young Avengers, America will use her superhuman strength and interdimensional star portals as part of a new team of THUNDERBOLTS.
Valkyrie – Rūna debuted as the mysterious and only surviving original Valkyrie during KING IN BLACK. Since then, fans have learned more about her in titles like MIGHTY VALKYRIES and WOMEN OF MARVEL. Stay tuned to find out where to witness her next legendary battles starting in June!
Daken – The son of Wolverine, Daken will put his claws, healing factor, and fierce fighting skills to good use as a member of the current lineup of MARAUDERS.
Check them out now and collect all eight this June!
CAPTAIN AMERICA: SENTINEL OF LIBERTY #1 PRIDE VARIANT COVER by LUCIANO VECCHIO
X-MEN #12 PRIDE VARIANT COVER by LUCIANO VECCHIO
THOR #26 PRIDE VARIANT COVER by BETSY COLA
AVENGERS FOREVER #7 PRIDE VARIANT COVER by LUCIANO VECCHIO
MARAUDERS #4 PRIDE VARIANT COVER by LUCIANO VECCHIO
IMMORTAL X-MEN #4 PRIDE VARIANT COVER by BETSY COLA
Prepare to enter the Destiny of X, the radical next era for your favorite X-Men titles! Ushering in the second age of Krakoa, Destiny of X will see the emergence of new enemies, the formation of new X-Teams, and bold paths for your favorite characters. It all kicks off later this month and right now, fans can peek ahead to discover what’s to come this June in their most anticipated X-Men ongoing series!
Gerry Duggan and Pepe Larraz present the grand climax to the Krakoan X-Men’s first year inX-Men #12! On the eve of the Hellfire Gala, threats have closed in on the X-Men from all sides. The secret machinations of Doctor Stasis, the terror of Gameworld, even the threat of the X-Men’s own secrets getting out…it’s all led to this!
Kieron Gillen teams up with artist Michele Bandini for a Hellfire Gala story ripe with drama, revelations, and betrayal from a shocking uninvited guest in Immortal X-Men#3! Emma Frost will do anything to protect the children, including the metaphorical child that is the Hellfire Gala. Last year’s was a fantastic success. She would not like it if someone ruined the second. She would not like it at all… The events of this year’s HELLFIRE GALA will lead directly into Gillen and Valerio Schiti’s A.X.E.: JUDGMENT DAY, the next Marvel Comics crossover epic launching this summer. Stay tuned next week for more HELLFIRE GALA announcements. Featuring a cover by Mark Brooks!
In Benjamin Percy and Robert Gill’s X-Force #29, X-Force make their last stand AGAINST KRAKOA, THE ISLAND THAT KILLS LIKE A MAN! As Cerebrax captures and turns the mutants’ powers against them, it sets its sights on the biggest mutant of all — Krakoa itself! A fight this big is going to take all the power X-Force can muster…and the true Omega to live up to his potential! With a cover by Joshua Cassara.
Wolverine runs out of allies to trust in Benjamin Percy and Adam Kubert’s Wolverine #22. Wolverine is trapped in an adamantium prison, and it’s probably Deadpool’s fault. But the betrayal of Maverick stings worst of all! Just what is so valuable in that briefcase that it pits mutant against mutant…against C.I.A.?
Mutantkind’s great Otherworld quest is in jeopardy in Tini Howard and Bob Quinn’s Knights of X #3. Gambit and his team gain a momentary victory over the Furies in Crooked Market, but as the group is hit by another wave of attacks by Merlyn’s army, Rachel Summers’ connection with Captain Britain is severed before she can call in reinforcements. In Sevalith, the Captain and her team face off against blood thirsty vampires as they seek out a lethal potential ally. Their quest required ten knights to begin, but no one said anything about the end. A knight dies here – and the hateful quest goes on. With a cover by Yanick Paquette.
Meet the FIRST GENERATION OF MUTANTKIND in Steve Orlando and Eleonora Carlini’s Marauders #4. The Marauders have gotten some jailbreak mixed into their heist! Pryde and her crew might’ve convinced Xandra to confront the Shi’ar’s crimes against mutantkind together, but the fanatical Kin Crimson are ready to defend those secrets to the death. What hidden truths and horrors does the Shi’ar Chronicle hold? Deep in a pandimensional prison lies the answer – but will it unite two societies in progress, or destroy them both? Check out the cover by Kael Ngu.
Al Ewing teams up with Juann Cabal, Andrés Genolet, and more for a harsh lesson about the Martian way of death in X-Men Red #4! Recent revelations threaten to profoundly alter the Destiny of X – and Arakko isn’t immune from the fallout! With the clock ticking down to interstellar war, Storm faces a Galactic Illuminati… Magneto attends a meeting of his own that might decide both their fates…and Roberta Da Costa ponders a recent return from the grave alongside the strangest guest star of all! With a cover by Russell Dauterman.
Nightcrawler’s squad faces a divine threat in Si Spurrier and Jan Bazaldua’s Legion of X #3. An Arakkii fugitive god is lurking somewhere in the shadows of Krakoa, and Weaponless Zsen must track them down or face destruction at the hands of the terrifying Ora Serrata. After hitting a number of dead ends, Zsen and Nightcrawler turn to the astral plane for answers. Meanwhile, Pixie lures the Skinjacker out of hiding with the help of Juggernaut and…Dr. Strange?! Dike Ruan‘s cover is below.
Fall into the looking glass in Vita Ayala and Rod Reis’ New Mutants #27. With her Soulsword shattered, Magik spirals into unfamiliar territory as she confronts her legacy in Limbo – dragging Mirage and Wolfsbane down with her! And while Magik faces the demons of her past, present, and future…Madelyne Pryor inches closer to the throne. Leinil Francis Yu provides the cover.
A conflict is brewing between some of the Marvel Universe’s major players and in the end, all will be JUDGED. This summer, the Avengers, the Eternals, and the X-Men find themselves at war in A.X.E.: Judgement Day, a new crossover event by writer Kieron Gillen and artist Valerio Schiti, and fans should look no further than current and future issues of Avengers, Immortal X-Men, X-Men, and Eternals for the reason why. Mutantkind’s newfound immortality, the Eternals discovery of long-hidden truths about their species, and the Avengers’ recent crimes against the Celestials will all come to light and unleash a reckoning! The Eternals’ purpose cannot be denied, mutantkind’s future will not be threatened, and Earth’s Mightiest Heroes efforts to de-escalate a potentially apocalyptic battle may be hopelessly futile… Don’t miss the buildup to the 2022’s biggest story in these exciting issues coming your way in June!
Gerry Duggan and Pepe Larraz present the grand climax to the Krakoan X-Men’s first year inX-Men #12! On the eve of the Hellfire Gala, threats have closed in on the X-Men from all sides. The secret machinations of Doctor Stasis, the terror of Gameworld, even the threat of the X-Men’s own secrets getting out…it’s all led to this!
Kieron Gillen teams up with artist Michele Bandini for a Hellfire Gala story ripe with drama, revelations, and betrayal from a shocking uninvited guest in Immortal X-Men #4! Emma Frost will do anything to protect the children, including the metaphorical child that is the Hellfire Gala. Last year’s was a fantastic success. She would not like it if someone ruined the second. She would not like it at all… With a cover by Mark Brooks!
And Jason Aaron and Javier Garrón introduce History’s Mightiest Heroes in Avengers #57! The Avengers are lost in time, and if they’re going to stop Mephisto’s grand plan, they’ll need help from some of history’s greatest heroes, whose stories have never been told. Like the mystical man of war, Sgt. Szardos, Soldier Supreme of World War II, and his squadron of supernatural grunts, the Secret Invaders.
Rising out of the ashes of Inferno and emerging out of the vital time-travelling mission in X Lives of Wolverine/X Deaths of Wolverine comes The Second Krakoan Age of X-Men: DESTINY OF X! Mutantkind is reshaped once more, as Krakoa’s greatest triumphs and most crushing challenges still lie ahead. The possibilities are endless as your favorite ongoing X-series embrace their future!
The rulers of Krakoa strive to hold mutantkind together, no matter how much they want to tear each other apart in Kieron Gillen and Lucas Werneck’s Immortal X-Men #1
Kate Pryde enlists a new crew to rescue rescue mutants and unravel a vital mystery stretching two billion years into the past in Steve Orlando and Eleonora Carlini’s Marauders #1
Mutantkind has taken over Mars and now they have to fight for it. Join Storm, Magneto, Sunspot, and more as they strive to save the red planet from war in Al Ewing and Stefano Caselli’s X-Men Red #1
Krakoa’s deadly strike team deals with the mind-melding new threat known as CEREBRAX as Benjamin Percy and Robert Gill launch an all-new arc in X-Force #27
Captain Britain recruits nine knights to join her on a magical quest for the holy grail of mutantkind in Tini Howard and Bob Quinn’s Knights of X #1
As numerous new threats begin to close in on Krakoan’s first team of X-Men, an old enemy emerges as Gerry Duggan continues his hit run on X-Men alongside artist Javier Pina inX-Men #10
Nightcrawler assembles a squad to bring justice and peace to Krakoa and protect mutantkind from its most soul-crushing threats yet in Si Spurrier and Jan Bazaldua’s Legion of X #1
Magik and the recently resurrected Madelyne Pryor compete for the throne of Limbo in Vita Ayala and Rod Reis’ acclaimed run of New Mutants, igniting the all-new ‘Labors of Magik’ arc in New Mutants #25
Wolverine continues to take on mutantkind’s most brutal missions… with some unwelcome help from Deadpool as Benjamin Percy and Adam Kubert continue their masterful run on Wolverine in Wolverine #20
Get your first glimpse at what’s to come in in the all-new Destiny of X trailer, featuring never-before-seen artwork! And enter the Destiny of X starting on March 30!
The next era of X-Men is on the horizon! With fresh new titles, exciting creative team changes, and cast shakeups, Destiny of X will be a season of radical transformation for the X-Men line and its characters. The possibilities are endless as the second Krakoan age begins over the next few months. And right now, fans can discover more about what’s to come this May in their favorite and most anticipated X-Men ongoing series!
JUDGMENT DAY IS COMING! Tying together current story threads in Avengers, X-Men, and Eternals, writer Kieron Gillen and artist Valerio Schiti bring you the next Marvel Comics epic this summer. See the first seeds planted for this upcoming saga in issues of Kieron Gillen and Lucas Werneck’s Immortal X-Men! May’s Immortal X-Men #3 will dive into one of the most fascinating objects in the X-Men mythos: Destiny’s diaries! Over one hundred years ago, Irene Adler wrote twelve books. A sequel is long overdue. Check out the cover by Mark Brooks!
The main team of Krakoan X-Men won’t be safe from the effects of Judgment Day either! Creative powerhouses Gerry Duggan and Pepe Larraz continue their hit run in X-Men #11. The women of the X-Men are heading for the hottest action in the galaxy…Gameworld! But if it’s true that the house always wins, our X-Ladies might be in over their heads…
THE QUEST IS REVEALED in Tini Howard and Bob Quinn’s Knights of X #2! Betsy Braddock has assembled her Knights! Their mission: to save Otherworld from Merlyn and his powerful henchmen…by finding the holy grail of mutantkind. But Otherworld is vast, and innumerable armies stand in their way. When Merlyn targets the Crooked Market, a safe haven for mutantkind, the Knights must split up. Will Captain Britain find the grail? Will Gambit lead the others into a deadly trap? Death looms over the Knights — in more ways than one. Yanick Paquette provides the cover.
Meet Mother Righteous in Si Spurrier and Jan Bazaldua’s Legion of X #2! Legion is offered an unholy deal by this major new character, the self-proclaimed wheeler-dealer of the astral plane. But is the price worth the prize for a young man stuck in his father’s shadow? Meanwhile, the Skinjacker grows bold. Not content with stealing identities of other mutants, he turns his powers on the Legion of X… And while newly arrived Arakki badass Weaponless Zsen has a beastly clash with a dangerous X-Man, her chaperone Nightcrawler is otherwise engaged – giving a massage…? With a cover by Dike Ruan.
Launched in last month’s hit Marauders Annual #1, Steve Orlando continues his new run alongside artist Eleonora Carlini in Marauders #3. Panic in Shi’ar space! The Marauders are prisoners of the Kin Crimson, a secret society stretching back billions of years, who outrank even the Shi’ar Majestrix…or so they think. But Captain Pryde and the Marauders aren’t giving up, not with the Shi’ar holding the last survivors of mutantkind’s first generation hostage. With the weight of history looming like a nuclear threat, can Kate Pryde convince Xandra to side with mutantkind against her kingdom? With a cover by Kael Ngu.
Vita Ayala and Rod Reis’ acclaimed run heats up inNew Mutants #26. While the queen is away, demons will play! A new queen has taken the throne of Limbo — Madelyne Pryor, A.K.A. the Goblin Queen! Meanwhile, separated from Limbo, Magik faces an enemy she thought she had banished long ago… With a cover by Leinil Francis Yu!
Wolverine masters Benjamin Percy and Adam Kubert take Logan deeper and deeper into DANGER in Wolverine #21! Outnumbered and surrounded, Wolverine unleashes his berserker rage, and Deadpool embraces his deadly fighting skills in a last ditch effort to save mutant lives. But what’s with all the Robot X-Men, and what do they have to do with the X-Desk?
And over in Percy and Robert Gill’s X-Force #28, Cerebrax stalks the island of Krakoa, and no one is safe! Its hunger for minds is insatiable…but what happens when it absorbs the minds — and powers — of the most powerful mutants?! X-Force will have to STEP. IT. UP. – and Kid Omega leads the way! Check out that cover by Joshua Cassara!
And expect planet-size power grabs and enormous omega-level feats in Al Ewing and Stefano Caselli’s X-Men Red #3. Tarn the Uncaring waged war and torture on Arakko for centuries. He’s the most hated being on Mars…and he sits on their ruling council. Abigail Brand has a plan to remedy that — and reap the rewards. So does Roberto Da Costa. But only one of them can win…and Tarn’s going to make at least one mutant pay the price for it! With a cover by Russell Dauterman.
