After turning the X-Men upside down, Jonathan Hickman explores the sequel in six series offered by Panini twice a month.
A unique relaunch
In the four volumes of House of X / Power of X, the American screenwriter has profoundly upset the springs of the X-Men. Created in the 60s, these mutants have been hated by humanity because of their genetic peculiarity since their origin. Indeed, this difference gives everyone a unique power. For a long time, the leader of the X-Men, Professor Xavier, advocated peace and peaceful coexistence between mutants and humans. But the dream was shattered and Xavier chose a new vision. He gathers the entire mutant population on the island of Krakoa and offers the UN a deal: Xavier will provide humanity with remedies from Krakoa's soil, but in exchange, the states must recognize the sovereignty of the new state and grant immunity to every mutant, even the worst criminal. The origin and success of this plan was told in House of X by Hickman while in parallel Power of X, through different periods of the future, demonstrated that this utopia was endangered by humans and machines.
More X-Men series
These two mini-series were a great success both artistically and for public reception. Hickman having affirmed a fundamental break, the sequel had to broaden and diversify this vision. The two Dawn of X collections are composed of the six series that feature a different team with a specific role in Xavier's plan. X-Men brings together some of the best-known heroes who are tasked with protecting the island from outside threats. The series also follows the recomposition of the Summers family. Cyclops had such difficult years that he turned violent and died. Fortunately, he is back on the side of good. His family has even gathered in Krakoa but the machinations of a group of human supremacists could upset the idyllic meal together. Many mutants choose to take refuge in Krakoa, but some states refuse to let them go. The Marauders team then comes to help them. This series is a strange mix between a pirate tale with mutants on a ship supplying the island and political battles to save mutants. Inevitably, such a cocktail can only hold with a lot of humor. Excalibur gives a magical interpretation of the mutant revolution. In another universe, King Arthur rules a world at the center of magic but his territory is invaded by Krakoa outgrowths. His wife, the fairy Morgana, decides to deprive the land of magic in retaliation but mutants do not intend to let her. New Mutants, probably related to the release of the film, brings together part of the second generation of students from the Xavier school. Some came back from the dead like Rahne. While others have drawn a line under mistakes of the past: Solar and Magick. But, the former leader is missing because he founded a family on another planet. Never mind, the rest of the team, helped by other young mutants, decides to go get him. Quickly, the trip turns out to be much more dangerous than expected. X-Force and Fallen Angels complete the magazine by giving a dark touch to the X-Men universe. While Xavier wants to improve the world of humans and mutants, Wolverine is much less optimistic. The attack on the island by a commando will prove the need to create a team to act in secret and in a more violent way. Psylocke thought she had found a new balance thanks to the benefits of Krakoa, but the vision of danger pushes her to leave paradise. She recruits other killers, the Fallen Angels, who are like her in search of revenge.
More authors
If Hickman is the chief architect and author of X-Men, he is no longer the only screenwriter. He is joined by Gerry Duggan, Tini Howard, Ed Brisson, Benjamin Percy and Brian Hill. Each brings a different shade to the picture built by the supervisor. Depending on the series, the reader can follow a spy story, a pirate adventure, a space comedy… by the talent of the various authors while proposing links between the series by the supervision of Hickman. In the same way, each series has a cartoonist with sometimes very different styles.
A varied editorial choice
Panini comics offers this relaunch in an original format since all the series are gathered in a magazine that will appear twice a month. The publisher also offers two versions. A flexible version more economical and a hard version but limited to comicshop. Dawn of X is a grandiose extension of the House of X / Power of X fireworks. The complete renovation of this part of the Marvel Universe is a great achievement. Of course, some stories will appeal more to some. But the whole makes these magazines a must have for a fan of comics or superheroes.
