In March of 2019, the X-Men line started barreling towards a reboot. With series like “Uncanny X-Men,” “X-Force” and “Mr. and Mrs. X” ending, Marvel announced a reboot of the X-Men franchise. A few days later, Marvel announced the “House of X” and the “Powers of X” (pronounced “Powers of Ten”). These two books told one story about a new mutant status quo, and spinning out of the two series are six new books. But why should comic book readers pay attention to this reboot, especially after every other reboot the X-Men have had in the past?
Here’s why:
- Writer’s Lineup – The writing lineup for the “Dawn of X” has diverse talent from all corners of the comic book industry. Jonathan Hickman is the head writer (with the nom de guerre of “Head of X”), so he has a presence in all of the stories being written. So far, Hickman is writing the new X-Men series and working with Ed Brission (writer of “Extermination”) on a new “New Mutants” series. Benjamin Percy, former “Nightwing” writer, will be helming the new X-Force series. Gerry Duggan, who wrote “Guardians of the Galaxy,” heads the “Marauders” series. Tini Howard, fresh off her “Strikeforce” debut, is writing the new “Excalibur” series, and Bryan Edward Hill from “Batman and the Outsiders” is rebooting “Fallen Angels” for a new generation.
- Concepts – The stories for the new “Dawn of X” series change the way readers see the X-Men. In the past, they have been hated and feared in a world that doesn’t want them. Now they have their own world in the Nation State of Krakoa, and with it a new status quo. The books spin off on the ideas, but each have their own direction. While Hickman’s “X-Men” series explores mutants in general around the world, “Marauders” explores the world around mutantkind. “Excalibur” invokes feelings of adventure and magic, with a new Captain Britain rising in order to protect Krakoa and the Otherworld. X-Force takes the nation’s security to the next level, and the team acts as the “CIA of Krakoa.” New Mutants kicks off with the team heading off to space to save their friend, and finally the new Fallen Angels series explores a “mission that could jeopardize all mutantkind” involving killing a god. The stories set a new tone for the X-Men.
- Lineups – Every one of these new series has a team of old members and completely new ones. “X-Men” will have a rotating roster, with members like Storm, Emma Frost, and others being teased. Even though the “X-Men” will be the only one with a rotating roster, the other series will have set teams that will change over time. The new volume of “Excalibur” will feature Betsy Braddock as Captain Britain working with Jubilee, the newly-married Rogue and Gambit, Rictor and Apocalypse. “Marauders,” a brand new series, features Captain Kate Pryde as she works with Storm, Iceman, Bishop, Pyro, and Emma Frost as a source of funding for Krakoa and a team ready to free mutants who cannot reach the mystical “gateways” to Krakoa. The “Fallen Angels” reboot features Kwannon as Psylocke, and she teams up with X-23 and Kid Cable on her mission. X-Force will feature two sets of teams, designed after the concept of “brains and brawn.” The brains will be Jean Grey, Beast, and Sage while the brawn will be Kid Omega, Wolverine, and Domino. The New Mutants return with Sunspot, Magik, Wolfsbane, Mirage, Karma, and two new members from “Generation X,” Chamber and Mondo.
- Diverse Art – Previews of the artwork have been released on social media platforms like Twitter. The “X-Men” art by Lenil Yu gives the X-Men a new dynamic style that fits the flagship book, giving each character their moment to shine and shows off a heartwarming family moments with the Summers’ and their respective families. “Marauders” shows off a new dynamic for each member of the teams, highlighting Kate Pryde’s fighting style combined with her intangibility. “Excalibur” gives a brand new sense of the word “mystic,” with the art showcasing the new world for the team with a seemingly unstoppable force and the brand new Captain Britain rising to the occasion, much like how the original Excalibur was drawn from the stone. “New Mutants” captures an epic space odyssey, and explores the new team dynamic with some highlights including the conversations between Cypher and Mondo. X-Force shows off the dark and gritty new landscape for the nation’s security, and ends with a moment that shakes up the rest of the series going forward. The art for the “Fallen Angels” preview tells the story of a woman vs a god, and what happens for those who choose the path of the warrior over the path of peace.
With reasons like these, the Dawn of X seems like the perfect starting point for old and new X-Men fans. All 6 of these books are available at local comic shops OR online at https:/www./comicstore.marvel.com/.
Graphic: Mars Hogue/ The Johnsonian
