In this brief scene from the past, early in Professor Xavier and Scott Summer’s relationship, we are reminded of how their bond began. Charles Xavier asks Scott and by extension the reader to “Open your eyes.” The request is both literal and metaphorical, suggesting that human kind refuses and/or is incapable of seeing truth. The issue opens with panels of darkness pin pricked by red, the reader is viewing the world from Scott's perspective with his eyes closed. But perhaps we’re getting ahead of ourselves. Scott is rarely shown vibing and happy in his 60 years of publication history, so seeing him feeling confident and optimistic is a welcome change of pace. We see Scott smiling and playing house with his whole extended family. I love this issue for many reasons, not the least of which is that Cyclops, the X-Men’s erstwhile mopey boy, seems to be really feeling himself. Most of the issue follows Scott Summers AKA Cyclops, one of the core X-Men leaders, and an Omega Level “sufferer” whose resting state is angst ridden.

In X-Men #1 from Jonathan Hickman, Leinil Francis Yu & Sunny Gho, the reader is caught up on the state of mutant affairs.

I Believed in a Thing… and Now It’s Real. For the purpose of this column I used “The Krakoa Era” timeline linked here, and we’ll be looking at X-Men issues that take place over roughly one month of time in universe. That said, if you’re neurotic and crave organization like myself, I recommend searching for a timeline or chronological reading order that makes sense to you. You can also DWAI the whole thing (‘Don’t Worry About It’ a common refrain on the exemplary X-Men podcast Cerebro) and just enjoy the ride. Following the timeline can be difficult but definitely not impossible. Hickman’s 21-issue run on the X-Men title (collected in the soon to be released Hickman Omnibus Hardcover and the X of Swords Omnibus) is non-linear and focuses on somewhat disconnected world-building vignettes set during the first few months after House of X. The modern X-Men line is beautifully organized in trade paperbacks and oversized hardcovers, so there’s never been a better time to hop on and start reading.

This era of X-books further fleshes out the new mutant status quo introduced in HOX/POX and traces the early threats and exploits of the newly established sovereign mutant nation of Krakoa. If you’re just now joining the party, check out the landing page for previous entries in the “two series that are one” here.Īfter the conclusion of the House of X and Powers of X dual miniseries/blended maxi series, the X-Men corner of the Marvel Universe enters its next phase with the Dawn Of X. Have you been reading along already? Wonderful, we love to see it. By Micheal Foulk - Welcome to Heroes of X, the sister series to History Of X, two monthly columns where an unapologetically queer X-Men fan dissects, celebrates, and analyzes the past, present, and future of Marvel’s merry mutant narrative.

X men by jonathan hickman