The 8 Best Stories From Krakoa-Era X-Men
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The Krakoa-era X-Men storylines are officially over after five years. In 2019, writer Jonathan Hickman and artists R. B. Silva and Pepe Larraz radically reinvented the X-Men in dynamic ways. The last time that the X-Men were reinvented in such dramatic fashion was in 1975 with Giant Sized X-Men #1 relaunch. The X-Men had been on the verge of cancellation at the time and the relaunch reintroduced the characters to a new era of fans.
Krakoa-Era X-Men
The X-Men were not on the verge of cancellation in 2019, but fans were sick of the constant cycles of predictable mutant hatred stories, tired soap opera tropes, and endless cycles of crossover events. Krakoa is a sentient mutant island that was introduced in Giant Sized X-Men #1 in 1975 and reintroduced in 2019 to become a mutant haven. Every mutant on Earth could be accepted as a citizen of Krakoa; Krakoa even had its own native language.
Instead of being mutant outcasts, mutants were now seen as almost superior to humans. Magneto, Prof. X, Apocalypse and many former allies and foes banded together to form political partnerships to run Krakoa. Mutants gained the ability to constantly resurrect themselves on Krakoa, so the specter of death for mutants was eradicated.
The point is that if you missed the Krakoa-era of X-Men stories, then you missed a lot over the past five years. Krakoa-era X-Men stories comprise almost 730 comic book issues. The Krakoa-era of X-Men is now over and fans are extremely mixed about it. If you missed it, here are the eight best stories from Krakoa-era X-Men.
1. House of X/Powers of X
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Both of these storylines comprise a 6-issue limited series that relaunched the X-Men in 2019. House of X shows how Prof. X unite the X-Men to reside on Krakoa. Powers of X offers cryptic glimpes into mutantkind’s past and future and the consequences of Krakoan unification of the species.
Get the 448-page paperback at Amazon now for $27.56.
2. Hellions
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When Krakoa was reintroduced in 2019, the sentient island granted automatic citizenship to any mutant on the planet. The X-Men realized that not every mutant arriving in Krakoa would have good intentions, so a strike force was created to keep rouge Krakoan mutants in check. The Hellions, lead by Havok, were created for this purpose. Even though the series only lasted for 18 issues, this comic is one of the most beloved Krakoa-era X-Men comics.
Get the 512-page colected volume on Kindle for $18.99.
3. Inferno
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Moira MacTaggert was a former human ally fo the X-Men who was retroactively turned into a mutant during the Krakoa-era X-Men saga. MacTaggert learned that she had the power of cognizant ressurrection. After her death, MacTaggert retains complete memory of her previous lives; MacTaggert gains precious knowledge of Krakoa’s past, present, and future due to her powers.
Destiny, a mutant who sees the future, learns of MacTaggert’s abilities in a deadly confrontation. As a condition of residing on Krakoa, MacTaggert makes Prof. X and Magneto promise to never allow a mutant with precognitive powers on Krakoa. However, Mystique, a mutant with shapeshifting powers, only came to Krakoa to her her dead lover, Destiny, ressurrected.
Get the 224-page hardcover for $21.99 at Amazon now.
4. X-Men: Hellfire Gala
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The Hellfire Gala is one of the most controversial and surreal aspects of the Krakoa-era X-Men saga. Every year, the X-Men would throw a Met Gala-like event, the Hellfire Gala on Krakoa. The X-Men would all dress in the latest Haute-Couture fashions. Readers could vote on new team members and leaders for the next year’s worth of stories. Characters would indulge in romances, decpetions, double-crosses, and clandestine alliances that would unfold in future storylines.
Get the 400-page hardcover at Amazon for $30.27 at Amazon right now.
5. X Lives of Wolverine/X Deaths of Wolverine
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A time-travelling killer goes to the past to eradicate an important mutant from history. Logan must travel back in time to various points in his own history to pick up clues and stop the elusive killer. Meanwhile, Moira MacTaggert is now a fugitive from Krakoa and being hounded by a mysterious figure.
You can buy the 304-page paperback for $35.97 at Amazon now.
6. X-Men: The Trial of Magneto
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The Scarlet Witch, formerly one of the deadliest foes of the X-Men, has been murdered on Krakoan soil. Her father, Magneto, stands accused of the crime. Magneto’s position as a political and cultural leader of Krakoa is threatened as he is judged for the crime of murder.
You can buy the 152-page paperback for $16.23 at Amazon now.
7. X-Men Red
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Krakoa has a twin sibling island calle Arakko (don’t ask, it’s more complicated than you think). To accommodate the growing population on Krakoa, a second mutant haven was established on Mars by the X-Men. Now name Arrako, the Red Planet is governed by Storm, Magneto, Vulcan, and several other mutants as they viw for power and struggle to get along on an alien world.
Get the 152-page paperback for only $15.99 on Amazon.
8. Fall of the House of X/Rise of the Powers of X
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The beginning of the end for the Krakoa-era X-Men begins in this epic storyline. The mutant hunting organization Orchis has hounded the Krakoan X-Men and made them outlaws. A new threat hiding in a dimension outside of reality is plotting the downfall of the X-Men. And Cyclops, one of the leaders of Krakoa, is now a public enemy, prisoner, and set for execution.
This 392-page paperback is available at Amazon for $38.99.
Why Did the Krakoa-Era X-Men End?
That is the question many X-Men are pondering now. Many fans think that Disney, which owns Marvel, wants to make it easier for casual readers to get into X-Men comics. With the recent success of Deadpool and Wolverine and the fact that adamantium is being introduced in Captain America 4, its no secret that the X-Men will be introduced into the MCU sometime in the next decade.
Marvel has been retroactively changing their comics to match their MCU counterparts since the dawn of the MCU.
Others believe that the Krakoa-era X-Men stories had simply run their course and it was just time for something new. Whatever the reason, the Krakoa era revitalized the X-Men and it will take a lot for Marvel to top it creatively.
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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.
