Summary
Warning: Contains spoilers forX-Men Forever #4!!Since their creation, theX-Menhave been through every possible disaster and attack, and they’re no strangers to having a target painted on their backs. They may not be quite as innocent as they seem, however, if the villain Enigma is to be believed.The powerful Dominion suggests that the famed “X” logo symbolizes mutantkind’s desire to eliminate anyone outside the circle they’ve drawn– and claims Krakoa proved it.
X-Men Forever#4 – written by Kieron Gillen, with art by Luca Maresca, Federico Blee, and Clayton Cowles – shows Nathaniel Essex aka Enigmavisiting Hope Summers' mother in the past in an effort to become the mutant messiah’s father and prevent the Phoenix from getting in his way. Jean Grey interferes, finding the Dominion engaged in conversation with Hope’s mother, prompting Enigma to attempt proving that Jean and her fellow mutants are wicked.
He claims that Krakoa rejected non-mutants as “lesser” and drew a “circle around what mattered” while killing any threats.Enigma is being manipulative, but his words do paint a concerning picture that looks exactly like the X-Men’s logo: a circle protecting the X at its center.
The Krakoan Era’s Final Boss Reveals A Brutal “Truth” About The X-Men
X-Men Forever#4 – Written By Kieron Gillen; Art by Luca Maresca' Color By Federico Blee; Lettering By Clayton Cowles
Krakoa created a sense of “other” in favor of mutants, who of course mark the X at the center of the circle.
While Enigma’s description of mutants and Krakoa is an attempt to dissuade Hope’s mother fromlistening to Jean Grey,his words can be viewed as exaggerated without being completely wrong.Mutants have faced so many external threats that Krakoa offered them a chance at real peace and shelter for the first time. It was a life they were willing to protect, fiercely if necessary. Especially in its earliest days, Krakoa remained closed to practically everyone who didn’t possess the X-Gene, fostering a sense of exclusion and a possible threat from the mutant nation. However, the country, mutants, and the X-Men always stood for more.
Mutants had to protect themselves after decades of seeing that no one else would, but they offered the world part of their bounty. Mutants came first because they finally could, but even the most extreme among them no longer advocated for what Enigma suggests. He claims that the “road to genocide is short” when, in truth, Krakoa existed as mutantkind’s most extreme attempt to avoid that very thing. Still, the Dominion’s words are not without merit. Krakoa created a sense of “other” in favor of mutants, who of course mark the X at the center of the circle.
It would be the worst course for mutantkind to take, but there is always a chance they could get so extreme in their attempt to protect themselves.
Enigma’s attempts at manipulation aren’t subtle. He comes on strong with threats;the “reality” he suggests is, in the end, only a scare tactic.Hope’s mother is strong enough to dismiss it, but it’s an idea some humans buy into. It would be the worst course for mutantkind to take, but there is always a chance they could get so extreme in their attempt to protect themselves. It did not occur with Krakoa, but it isn’t impossible. Enigma’s dark description of theX-Men’ssymbol is an exaggeration, but it may also be a warning.
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.
