6 X-Men ‘From The Ashes’ Era Comics to Read Right Now
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Krakoa is dead – long live Krakoa! Pardon my geekiness but if you are a casual reader and missed the recent Krakoa-era of X-Men comics, then you really missed out. From 2019 to 2024 the X-Men inhabited their own sovereign and sentient island-state, Krakoa, developed their own language and laws, perfected resurrection and teleportation tech for mutants, colonized Mars, and announced to the world that they would no longer be persecuted.
This is an oversimplification, but the point is that the Krakoa-era was loved and hated by fans but appreciated for reinventing the X-Men mythos. That era is over now and the mutants are now in the “From the Ashes” era.
So, which From the Ashes comics should you be reading right now? These titles all just started in mid and late 2024, so don’t get left behind. Here are six you should check out now.
1. Storm #1
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Storm has had a mutant glow-up in recent years. After her marriage to Black Panther, she is a literal Queen of Wakanda. Storm was one of the ruling heads of the X-Men Mars colony, also known as Arrako, during the Krakoa era. Storm recently joined the Avengers in the comic books.
After Krakoa, Storm wants to use her powers to help anyone in need in the world. This new series showcases Storm as a progressive mutant superhero concerned about global events affecting more than mutants.
Get Storm #1 for $4.99 on Kindle now.
2. Wolverine #1
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Wolverine is notorious for being on multiple teams and engaging in his own solo adventures in the comic books. It’s an old in-joke if you are a hardcore comic book fan but could be jarring for casual readers; don’t think too much about it.
In this new Wolverine comic, the titular character is embracing his animal side. He literally runs naked with a pack of wolves as if he is not human. Wolverine soon learns that he is being stalked by some old enemies. Also, there may be a new form of adamantium that makes his adamantium-coated skeleton obsolete. Additionally, these stresses are causing Wolverine to give into his berserker rages.
Get Wolverine #1 for $4.99 at Kindle.
3. X-Men #1
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The main X-Men team, led by Cyclops, is now headquartered in the tiny town of Merle, Alaska. A giant inactive sentinel looms nearby keeping silent vigilance over the town. An evil group is causing adult-aged mutants to manifest their mutant powers, something that usually happens by puberty. Plus, there is a conspiracy brewing that could pit the X-Men against the American government!
Get X-Men #1 for $5.99 at Kindle now.
4. Exceptional X-Men #1
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Kitty Pryde went through a lot of turmoil during the Krakoa era. During that time, mutants had the ability to instantaneously transport anywhere they wanted due to their mutant DNA. This was true for everyone except Kitty for some reason; the character actually became a mutant pirate for some time, traveling the world on a ship in a comic called Marauders.
After the fall of Krakoa, Kitty becomes depressed and becomes a bartender. She is living a low-key life when she encounters new mutants who need training and guidance. Kitty unwillingly teams up with Emma Frost to lead the Exceptional X-Men, a female-centric mutant team.
Get Exceptional X-Men #1 for $4.99 on Kindle.
5. Uncanny X-Men #1
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Although the adjectiveless X-Men title is considered the flagship title, Uncanny X-Men has also been a beloved title for decades. Fans were highly excited for the From the Ashes relaunch of this title since it would be written by comics legend Gail Simone.
This team is led by Rogue and features Wolverine, Gambit, and several new mutant characters. The X-Mansion has been taken over by a mutant-hating group that turns it into a prison for mutants. Meanwhile, Rogue is emotionally grappling with the fall of Krakoa, the plight of mutants in this new era, and whether another X-team is needed.
Get Uncanny X-Men #1 for $5.99 on Kindle now
6. Phoenix #1
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You are probably familiar with Jean Grey and the Phoenix Force even if you have never read a comic book. Jean Grey, a powerful psychic and telekinetic, merged with an alien entity called the Phoenix that made her omnipotent and mentally unstable in a 1980 storyline. Grey destroyed an alien world and was on the verge of destroying Earth when she sacrificed herself to contain the Phoenix force.
The original Jean Grey stayed dead in the comic books for many years but was resurrected in recent years. Now she is headlining her own comic book again. Jean has merged with the Phoenix Force again, but she is retaining full control over the power.
This comic features Jean embarking on cosmic adventures as she strives to right the wrongs she previously committed when she was emotionally corrupted by the Phoenix.
Buy Phoenix #1 for $4.99 on Kindle now.
X-Men: From the Ashes
I would need to write a thesis paper to fully explain Krakoa, what happened, and why the mutant nation fell. All that you need to know is that Prof. X is gone and mutants are now scattered all over the world on various adventures.
Will Marvel’s From the Ashes exceed the heights of the Krakoa-era? That remains to be seen. But if you’re interested in the X-Men you should start on the ground floor reading this new era of comics that just launched.
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Allen Francis is a full-time writer, prolific comic book investor and author of The Casual’s Guide: Why You Should Get Into Comic Book Investing. Allen holds a BA degree from Marymount Manhattan College. Before becoming a writer Allen was an academic advisor, librarian, and college adjunct for many years. Allen is an advocate of best personal financial practices including saving and investing in your own small business.
