Summary
LegendaryX-Menwriter Chris Claremont returns once more to tell a story he first hinted at decades ago, as Marvel celebrates a major milestone for the franchise.Claremont’s backup story inX-Men#35 will give him the opportunity to explore Nightcrawler’s relationship with his biological parents, now that they have been reunited.
In apreview shared by CBR, readers got a glimpse atX-Men#35, which will bring the Krakoan Era to a definitive end, while also setting up what comes next. Most notably, the preview included a first look at Chris Claremont’s story, included in the issue, which will bring Marvel’s most exciting new family unit together, asa new era begins.
It is always a significant affairwhen Claremont delivers a newX-story, but this one is particularly meaningful, as “Nightcrawler: Getting To Know You” serves as the realization of an idea first conceived of forty years ago.
In addition to delivering the finale of the vaulted Krakoan Era,X-Men#35 will double asUncanny X-Men#700, under Marvel’s legacy numbering system. The original contiguousUncanny X-Menrun ended in 2011 with issue #544.
Marvel’s Huge Nightcrawler Origin Retcon Has Been In The Works For 40 Years
One of Marvel’s most mysterious family trees is rooted in Nightcrawler’s lineage. Destiny and Mystique’s true connection to him took decades to arrive
Chris Claremont Returns To X-Men For A Groundbreaking Story
“Nightcrawler: Getting To Know You” – Written By Claremont; Art by Salvador Larroca; Color By GURU-eFX; Lettering By VC’s Clayton Cowles
Chris Claremont has the distinction of being the writer who will take Nightcrawler, Destiny, and Mystique – as well as Mystique’s adopted daughter Rogue – on the next step of their journey as a family.
“One would think it’s a good thing to discover their true family,” Nightcrawler narrates on the opening page of “Getting To Know You.” “For me, anything but,” he adds.X-Men’sKurt Wagner has long been among the mutants who have themost difficulty finding their identity, in large part due to the way he is perennially shunned for his appearance. The tumult and uncertainty of his history has only added to that. Now, Marvel has finally established his definitive backstory – opening up new avenues for the character, but as it seems, not necessarily making his journey any less dramatically fulfilling.
In “Getting To Know You,” Chris Claremont has the distinction of being the writer who will take Nightcrawler, Destiny, and Mystique – as well as Mystique’s adopted daughter Rogue – on the next step of their journey as a family. This is apropos, because it was Claremont who initially proposed the idea of Nightcrawler’s parentage. It took Marvel decades to put the story on the page, andnow its original creator will be the one to chart the next step for one of comics' most thrilling family stories.
The preview page for the story released by CBR shows Nightcrawler and Destiny sitting on a picnic blanket, as Rogue and Mystique are shown sparring with swords behind them. Artist Salvador Larroca packs a great deal of family trauma, and years worth of complex dynamics, into just this single image; readers should anticipate that the whole story will be as visually rich as it is emotionally dense. As Claremont’s prose hints, as much as Nightcrawler’s discovery of his true origin was resolution of a kind, it will lead to an entirely new arc for the iconic character.
“X-Men Origins: Blue” Made Claremont’s Idea Canon After Decades Of Delay
Better Late Than Never
As much ground as Claremont broke during his tenure, some of his most progressive ideas never made it on to the page. Among those was his proposed origin story for Nightcrawler.
Chris Claremont first originated the idea that shapeshifter Mystique andprecognitive mutant Destinywere Nightcrawler’s biological parents during his franchise-definingX-run during the 1980s, whenX-MenbecameUncanny, and Marvel’s mutants were revolutionized in more ways than one. That said, as much ground as Claremont broke during his tenure, some ofhis most progressive ideas never made iton to the page. Among those was his proposedorigin story for Nightcrawler. However, the hints were there, and the subtext was there – and in due time, Marvel and society itself caught up to the pace of Claremont’s vision for the characters.
Last year, Marvel canonized Mystique and Destiny as Nightcrawler’s parents inX-Men Blue: Origins#1. Though Mystique had been established as his mother years earlier, an alternate account had been provided by the controversial “Draco” storyline from the mid-2000s, which established the demonic-looking ancient mutant Azazel as Nightcrawler’s “father.” For some time,X-Men’seditorial team considered this definitive, but ultimately, they were persuaded to revise the character’s backstory for what should be the final time.
X-Men Blue: Origins#1 (2023)
X-Men Blue: Originsrecontextualizes much of this messy history, consolidating it into what ultimately was one of the high-points ofX-Men’sKrakoan Era. In part, this was because the issue provided more than just definitive long-awaited confirmation of Nightcrawler’s true origin, but because, in a sense, it was a form of catharsis for many readers, who had wanted the story to be affirmed. Now, Chris Claremont’s “Getting To Know You” will be able to build on that foundation,in an emotionally resonant story that may very well set a high bar for theX-franchise’s next era.
X-Men #35 Will Be A Defining Issue For The Franchise
Endings & Beginnings
Chris Claremont’s inclusion was essential for a trueUncanny X-Menanniversary, and it is incredibly gratifying to readers that he gets to do so by delivering his take on Nightcrawler, Destiny, and Mystique.
Overall, the preview forX-Men#35/Uncanny X-Men#700 makes it clear that this will be a huge issue, serving as both a coda to the Krakoan Era, as well as a starting point for the “From the Ashes” relaunch. The mile issue appears set to push the franchise in a new direction, as well as honoring its past by including a variety of superstar creators from throughoutX-history. Chris Claremont’s inclusion was essential for a trueUncanny X-Menanniversary, and it is incredibly gratifying to readers that he gets to do so by delivering his take on Nightcrawler, Destiny, and Mystique.
The idyllic picnic imagery of the preview page for “Getting To Know You” belies the difficult road these characters have traveled to come to this point of reunification. Their relationship proved to be an essential part of the Krakoan Era’s climax, in a way, as tensions inMystique and Destiny’s relationshipwere resolved; further, mental blocks in Destiny’s mind, placed there long ago by Charles Xavier, were removed, allowing her to feel the full extent of her love for her son for the first time.
All of this culminated with Nightcrawler embracing his mothers for the first time – but now, readers must ask what comes next for them. Chris Claremont’s “Getting To Know You” won’t provide all the answers, but it will likely set the tone for stories to come. At the very least, it will provideexactly what the title promises, an opportunity for these characters to become better acquainted.In the process,X-Menreaders will get to know each of them better than ever before, making it a must-read story.
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.
