Summary
I really, truly loved the Krakoan Age of theX-Men, and I am devastated that one of the X-Men’s most creative, inspiring, and bold eras isnow officially over. However, I firmly believe that the ending that the X-Office gave to the Krakoan Age inX-Men#35was the best possible conclusion to the era given the circumstances,keeping the hope of Krakoa alive while honoring its brilliant legacy.
While I loved the X-Men as a child - particularly theX-Men Evolutionanimated series - it wasn’t untilJonathan Hickman’s critically acclaimed 2019 relaunchof the X-Men franchise that I became a true superfan of the mutant mythos. WithoutHouse of XandPowers of X,I wouldnever have rediscovered my love (obsession?) of X-Men comics as an adultor started my journey as a comics news journalist, so these past 5 years will always hold a special place in my, and countless others, heart.
Many fans of the Krakoan Age made reasonable critiques that theFall of Xfelt rushed and undercooked, something I agreed with at times as well, butX-Men#35 successfully blew past these expectations, providing a meaningful ending to the beloved era while smoothly setting up the X-Men forFrom the Ashes.X-Men#35 wasa celebration of Krakoa’s stories and its creators, with a massive group of X-Office collaborators working on the final issue.
June 5th, 2024
Writers:
Al Ewing, Chris Claremont, Gerry Duggan, Kieron Gillen, Jed MacKay, Phil Noto, Gail Simone
Artists:
Joshua Cassara, Phil Noto, Sara Pichelli, Javier Garrón, Stefano Caselli, Leinil Francis Yu, Jerome Opeña, Mark Brooks, Walt Simonson, Luciano Vecchio, Lucas werneck, John Romita Jr., Scott Hanna, David Curiel, Laura Martin, Sunny Gho, Matt Wilson, Sonia Oback, Matt Hollingsworth, Romulo Fajardo Jr., Clayton Cowles, Marcio Menyz, Salvador Larocca, Guru, eFX, Morry Hollowell
Pepe Larraz, Marte Garcia
Variant Covers:
Betsy Cola, David Marquez, Russell Dauterman, Scott Koblish, Ben Harvey, Skottie Young
THE END OF AN ERA — UNCANNY X-MEN #700! All good things must come to an end, and as good of a thing as the Krakoan era has been for mutantkind… its time has come at last. The tragedy and triumph of FALL OF THE HOUSE OF X, the madness and mystery of RISE OF THE POWERS OF X… they have all come to their end and led to this moment that will change the future of mutantkind for years to come. Written and drawn by an all-star cast of writers and artists who have shaped the Krakoan Age, this is one milestone no X-Fan will want to miss! Also featuring a story of family by X-Men master Chris Claremont… and a glimpse of things to come!
Krakoa Was Everything It Promised To Be, And More
It was never perfect, and that is what made it amazing
The promise of Krakoa to its mutant citizens was one of peace, safety, and utopia… but this was never the promise given to the readers. Hickman did a brilliant job ofmaking the flaws in Krakoa’s foundations apparent from the start, particularly in the non-democratic rule of the Quiet Council, the creation of the Pit, and Moira being hidden from the public. While Krakoa was a utopia in many ways and has been the longest period of mutant prosperity since their debut decades ago, the Krakoan Age was always going to end.
In fact, Hickman planned to end the era afterInferno, so the fact that we all got three more years of Krakoan stories to enjoy as fans is a true blessing. From gorgeous allegories to queerness by Vita Ayala inNew Mutants, to the transformative andbrutal rebirths within The CrucibleinX-Men, and the fashion-forward annual Hellfire Gala, there seemed to bea neverending supply of stunning mutant tales to weave. As a queer man, I must highlight the meaningful queer representation shown throughout the Krakoan Age, from Somnus and Escapade’s debut to Destiny and Mystique’s starring role in the era, and the start of Betsy and Rachel Summers' romance.
Wolverine Gives His Official (& Very Surprising) Verdict on X-Men’s 2019-2024 Krakoan Era
Editorial mandates have forced the end of Krakoa, and the rushed finale of itsFall of Xperiod, but thatdoesn’t take away from the beauty, joy, hope, and thoughtfulnessthat the past five years of storytelling have given us as fans of the X-Men. I wish the Krakoan Age would never have ended, and I would pay an unforgivable amount for Marvel to continue telling Krakoan stories, yet I am still so pleased with the return of New Krakoa inX-Men#35 and the closure Kafka gave to the X-Men.
New Krakoa Is A Beacon Of Hope For X-Men Fans
Kafka’s mutant Utopia is the best future we could have wished for
X-Men: Forever#4 revealed that Jean Grey, asthe reborn Phoenix, was able to defeat Enigma while preserving “New Krakoa” within the White Hot Room. However, we as fans tragically believed that would be the last we saw of Kafka, the Five, and the other mutants trapped in the WHR, assuming those 200,000 mutants were permanently stranded. It was a true delight towitness New Krakoa coming back to Earth after 15 long years away, rebonding with Earth’s Krakoa and becoming one again. Yet even that was not as beautiful and moving as Emma Frost realizing that the Five (using Hope’s vestigial Phoenix energy) were able to resurrect all 15 million murdered Genoshan mutants.
What does it look like when a dream moves on without you?
One of the main goals of Krakoa’s Resurrection Protocols from the start of the nation was for the Five to resurrect all the Genoshan dead eventually, and it was tragic to think this would never happen. While it is shocking to see an entire culture of New Krakoa we may never be able to explore - like the years worth ofmutant fashion Jumbo Carnationcreated - it is lovely to have proof that in some reality,Krakoa will continue to thrive, and grow into a true utopia, better than Earth’s Krakoa could ever hope to be. Kafka says his Quiet Council is quiet because they are tasked with listening to their people, a beautiful and hopeful sentiment that gives me faith in the future of New Krakoa.
There was never going to be a perfect ending for Krakoa, and I am personally just thankful that Marvel did not decide to erase Krakoa’s existence or retcon its creation.Krakoa was, Krakoa is, Krakoa always will be. My friend and peer Jonathan Jones said it best in his review ofX-Men#35 forAIPT:
X-Men as a franchise is constrained by the context of Marvel Comics creators: even the most diverse and radically compassionate leftist writers and artists of today would not be able to fully bring a true mutant utopia to comics, since the future will bring with it new understandings of how to achieve justice and wellbeing that will outmode current thought. The gift of Kafka and New Krakoa is two-fold: the perfect mutant utopia exists and Marvel creators do not have to bear the burden of its upkeep.
The X-Men Will Forever Be The Protectors Of Earth’s Mutants
The mutant heroes could never have abandoned Earth for Krakoa
In a perfect world, Krakoa would have continued forever on page, but the reality of comics is thateras can never truly last forever. I think there are countless stories, events, and pathways that Marvel could have taken to keep Krakoa fresh and exciting, but I understand why the decision was made to end the era. WhenKafka brings New Krakoa back to Earth, he offers sanctuary to the X-Men in the new utopia. Nightcrawler, speaking on behalf of the X-Men, rejects this offer, which is the only response the X-Men would have ever reasonably had. The X-Men are defenders of mutantkind, and they would never abandon Earth’s new mutants for the promise of permanent peace.
I can’t fully express in words how meaningful the Krakoan Age has been for me, and so many otherX-Menfans. The era inspired me, gave me hope, and made me reflect on complex topics like colonialism, the dangers of AI advancement, and how easily the rise of fascism can occur. Besides the important messaging woven into the stories by the X-Office’s brilliant writers, the art throughout Krakoa was simply beautiful, a joy to witness on every page. The Krakoan Age is over, and I am wrecked at our loss, butI am so happy that somewhere among Marvel’s vast Multiverse, New Krakoa is thriving, and continuing the tale that Jonathan Hickman began five years ago.
X-Men
The X-Men franchise, created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, centers on mutants with extraordinary abilities. Led by the powerful telepath Professor Charles Xavier, they battle discrimination and villainous mutants threatening humanity. The series explores themes of diversity and acceptance through a blend of action, drama, and complex characters, spanning comics, animated series, and blockbuster films.
