Posted in: Comics, Marvel Comics | Tagged: krakoa, marvel, x-men, x-men red

Conversations About Death And Resurrection In X-Men Red #4 (Spoilers)

Published Wed, 29 Jun 2022 07:25:10 -0500

Last updated Wed, 21 Sep 2022 05:57:25 -0500

Nothing happens in X-Men: Red #4, out today. Everything happens in X-Men: Red #4, out today. Because it's time to talk about life, death and the cycle of storytelling. When the House Of X revamp began, the idea that all mutants could and would now be resurrected on death was a meta-textual device that commented on the cyclical nature of death in modern superhero comics, and weaponised it for storytelling purposes. It then also introduced some wrinkles, how a mutant dying in Otherworld would see them come back "wrong". As well as throwing in suggestions as to where this may all lead, with people resurrecting in other people's bodies, changing their age and disabilities, or coming back multiple times at once.

Today's X-Men Red #4 shows us that the mutants of Arakko do not get revived as the mutants of Krakoa do and, indeed, it has become a defining trait for them. So for the council of Arakko that becomes an issue for its newest members, Magneto and Storm.

Which leads Magneto to make a bold decision, to commit to the cause of Arakko, the transformed planet of Mars and a home for the warrior mutants exiled to another dimension so many, many years ago.

And so he makes the decision to also choose not to be resurrected, for himself and Storm. Destroying the Krakoan back-ups of themselves.

And setting up what may be a cosmic winter mutant event to come.

I remember those eyes… ever since his first appearance in X-Men #1 in 1963, it has been a framing choice over the years…

On Earth, the news that the mutants can be resurrected is out, and we start to get to see the first reactions to the changing situation, ahead of the upcoming Judgment Day event.

While the Shi'ar Empress Xandra Neramani has also died. And that's the thing, this Empress is the genetic daughter of Professor Xavier.

Which means she is also up for Resurrection, even if the Shi'Ar Empire itself isn't so keen.

Consent is not a factor. Professor X did it thirty-five hours ago.

And as we heard at the top, Sunspot has already been revived, we get to see Rockslide – who died in Otherworld and was resurrected… wrongly.

A different Rockslide took his place, someone from down the probability axis of dimensions. And who has a new name as a result.

Wrongslide. Is this the fate that awaits Gambit, who also died in Otherworld? But Wringslide has plans for his own future.

Death in Otherworld may be final for the mutant in question – but even so, not entirely… so in X-Men Red #4 nothing happens. And everything happens. Just as with every death. Although, as this week's X-Men Unlimited points out, it really shouldn't be the aim…

Although Sabretooth has his own way of coming back to the island that doesn't need to involve the Five, in Sabretooth #4.

And Quentin Quire may have taken a lesson out of Magneto's book as well in X-Force #29…

X-FORCE #29
MARVEL COMICS
APR220899
(W) Ben Percy (A) Robert Gill (CA) Joshua Cassara
THE LAST STAND…AGAINST KRAKOA, THE ISLAND THAT KILLS LIKE A MAN!
As CEREBRAX captures and turns the mutants' powers against them, it sets its sight on the biggest mutant of all – KRAKOA itself! A fight this big is going to take all the power X-FORCE can muster…and the true Omega to live up to his potential!
PARENTAL ADVISORYIn Shops: Jun 29, 2022
SRP: $3.99

X-MEN RED #4
MARVEL COMICS
APR220915
(W) Al Ewing (A) Stefano Caselli (CA) Russell Dauterman
THE MARTIAN WAY OF DEATH!
Recent revelations threaten to profoundly alter the Destiny of X – and Arakko isn't immune from the fallout! With the clock ticking down to interstellar war, STORM faces a Galactic Illuminati… MAGNETO attends a meeting of his own that might decide both their fates…and ROBERTO DA COSTA ponders a recent return from the grave alongside the strangest guest star of all!
RATED T+In Shops: Jun 29, 2022
SRP: $3.99

SABRETOOTH #4 (OF 5)
MARVEL COMICS
MAR221013
(W) Victor Lavalle (A) Leonard Kirk (CA) Ryan Stegman
CALL IN THE CAVALRY!
Even the best-laid plans fail. But above ground there are other mutants who've learned what's happening in the Pit and they aren't too pleased with the injustice of their fate. If Sabretooth and the others couldn't break out of the Pit, maybe someone will just have to break in. PARENTAL ADVISORYIn Shops: Jun 29, 2022 SRP: $3.99

X-Men Unlimited Infinity Comic (2021) #41
June 27, 2022
(W/A) Jason Loo
BIRTHDAY SIDE QUEST! It's Jubilee's birthday, so what better way to celebrate than with the rest of the Generation X team in an escape room? Only…nobody else seems quite as excited to spend time together as Jubilee is…maybe it's time to let old friendships go? Or maybe not—as the escape room starts actively trying to kill them, the former teammates will have to band together just to make it out alive!