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“It’s something unpredictable, But in the end, it’s right, I hope you had the time of your life”
– Green Day “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)”
As comic fans hit their Local Comic Shops this week, there is a monumental issue dropping from Marvel. X-Men #35 (or better known as Legacy #700 of Uncanny X-Men) closes the door on a moment in time that won’t soon be forgotten.
Since 2019, the Children of the Atom have been living in “The Krakoan Era”. Johnathan Hickman led a change to their status quo.
From the initial “House Of X” and “Powers of X (Ten)”, Moira MacTaggert steers Xavier and Magneto into the creation a new mutant nation of Krakoa. Enemies are now allies. Humans and Mutants relations are in a very unique spot. Mutant and Mutant ones are tested as time goes one. Most notably: No Mutant Dies due to resurrection protocols. The stories spawning out from the era gave a fresh new take on the X-Men franchise. In my humble opinion, this was sorely needed for the line.
Did every story that came out hit? No. Did every one serve a purpose? Yes. It caused fans to talk. For a franchise that was once THE franchise at Marvel (pre-MCU), the line had slipped in popularity in comparison to the Avengers line.
With Hickman leaving the X-line in 2021, many had wondered how this era would continue. Like every great saga, there was a beginning, middle and end. At New York Comic Con 2023, it was announced the era was ending with “Fall Of The House Of X” and “Rise Of The Powers Of X (Ten)” starting in January 2024. Both series wrapped up in May 2024. X-Men #35 serves as a proper epilogue to the era.
It also couldn’t have been timed better…..
Right now, pop culture is fixated on all things X-Men.
In March of 2024, “X-Men ’97” debuted on Disney Plus. The Marvel animated sequel to the legendary “X-Men: The Animated Series” (Fox animation 1992) has brought in a new audience to the world of X. The series borrowed classic themes from the 1980’s and 90’s. The success has caused many viewers to check out past stories in anticipation of the next season.
Ryan Reynolds and Huge Jackman reprise their X roles in July for 2024’s most anticipated film “Deadpool and Wolverine”. The current state of the MCU has been transitioning post Avengers: Endgame. The X-Men made some buzz with their “appearance” in “The Marvels in November 2023. Since then, fans are clamoring for more. Once the movie hits theatres, expect their excitement to grow further. Luckily, that’s the kick-off to the “From The Ashes” era.
With three main X-Men titles: X-Men by Jed MacKay and Ryan Stegman (July 2024), Uncanny X-Men by Gail Simone and David Marquez (August 2024) and Exceptional X-Men by Eve L. Ewing and Carmen Carnero (Sept. 2024) leading the pack of new series, this is a perfect time to hit the reset.
The Krakoan Era served a great purpose. There is no question of that. Whether you loved it (raising hand) or did not, you cannot deny its’ true legacy. The era kickstarted a resurgence of where it all began: The Comics. Emerging from that era is a sense of heroics that mirrors what the pop culture audience has been jumping on board to.
The X-Men are winning on the small screen. They’re poised to take the crown of 2024’s biggest box-office hit. Now, a new beginning in comics looks to take the triple crown home for Xavier’s former students.
That said, it can’t be denied. This IS the Year of the X-Men….and we’re only half way through it.
Hit me up on ODPHpod and Nerd Initiative socials and let me know if you agree or disagree with that statement.
Till next time, Thanks for reading!
