Warning: Spoilers for Marauders #17 by Gerry Duggan, Matteo Lolli and Edgar Delgado
The first state dinner of Krakoa is being used to debut the new X-Men team and to make a bold statement to the new nation’s antagonists and allies. “Keep your enemies close” is proving to be a suitable unofficial motto of the mutant republic.
Dawn of X, the brainchild of writer Jonathan Hickman, brought a massive change to the world’s status quo, uniting all mutants on the island of Krakoa to create their own society and culture. With this leap, Homo superior ushered in a new age of collaboration, and put humanity on notice. The impacts have been immense and continue at a rapid pace. Mutants have achieved a pseudo-immortality, launched a space program, and upended world markets, offering Krakoan miracle drugs that extend human life, in exchange for recognizing their sovereignty. Despite the olive branches, the operations of Krakoa have alarmed various factions and caused tensions with some world leaders. The united mutants have survived invasions, efforts to undercut the sale and distribution of their medicines, and assassination attempts; unwavering in their mission to establish themselves as a world superpower.
The next step in Krakoa’s chapter begins with the Hellfire Gala, a massive event spearheaded by Emma Frost. The centerpiece of the evening will be the premier of the first official X-Men team of the Krakoan era. Other details about the evening have been sparse, but Marauders #17 revealed that most of the guests in attendance will be human and include of the Homines Verendi, an anti-mutant organization that has been spying on and undermining Krakoa. Inviting a hostile organization to the event showcasing their new team of heroes is clearly a strategic move and possible show of force.
X-Men #15 featured a document suggesting the ruling body of mutants, the Quiet Council, believed the term “X-Men” had outlived its use in this new age. However, that same issue saw Cyclops declare that while the Council is the mutant government, the X-Men are the mutants’ heroes. To underscore that point, the of the team will be elected, and readers are invited to choose the final member themselves in the #XMenVote campaign. Fans have the opportunity to decide if less notable mutants like Tempo, Marrow or Boom-Boom, or veterans like Polaris, Banshee and Forge, will get the honor to protect Krakoa as a member of the team.
Besides putting the adversaries of Krakoa on notice, mutants will also likely seek to solidify alliances with those who are friendly to their cause. Ambassadors, heads of state and meta-human associates are also among those on the guest list, setting up a pivotal affair. Wakanda and Krakoa have been on rocky since the X of Swords event and an appearance by Black Panther could offer an opportunity to smooth things over. In House of X #1, Cyclops told the Fantastic Four their son Franklin Richards has a place on Krakoa amongst the mutants. While his status as a mutant has since been called into question, it’s not unimaginable that Marvel’s first family could be in attendance to reestablish ties with mutant-kind.
With the gathering of allies and enemies and the emergence of a history-making X-Men team, the Hellfire Gala is quickly becoming a marquee event in the Marvel Universe. Everyone’s eyes should be on the nation of Krakoa, and while readers may not be able to attend, placing a vote for final member of the X-Men is the perfect way to be a part of the momentous occasion.
