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The Return of the Big Bad in X-Men #4 (Big Spoilers)

X-Men #4 draws inspiration from 2002, revisiting the concept of psychic rescue, bringing back a formidable antagonist from the past.



Article Summary

  • X-Men #4 revisits the iconic psychic rescue concept, inspired by Grant Morrison's New X-Men #121 from 2002.
  • Kwannon and Quentin Quire team up, diving into the mind of the new mutant Ben Liu, uncovering hidden threats.
  • The reveal, brings back a classic antagonist from the deep dark past with new sinister plans.
  • Discover how this blast from the past manipulates events to create mutants from old humans.

Well, with the movie and all, I suppose it was only a matter of time. Today's X-Men #4 by Jed MacKay and Ryan Stegman is one hell of a swipe file, a deliberate attempt to echo the famous Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely editorially-imposed silent issue, New X-Men #121 from 2002, diving into the head of Cassandra Nova.

It's not the first time the Xbooks have redone this issue, with Giant-Size Jean Grey And Emma Frost by Jonathan Hickman and Russell Dauterman from 2020 diving into the head of Storm, doing a beat-for-beat remake of the issue.

 

New X-Men #121 by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely
New X-Men #121 by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely
Giant-Size X-Men: Jean Grey & Emma Frost #1
Giant-Size X-Men: Jean Grey & Emma Frost #1

And while this isn't as much of a beat for beat, there is much to compare. So we may not have a big sign saying "psychic rescue"… but we do have Kwannon using those words, as she joins with Quentin Quire.

New X-Men #121 by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely
New X-Men #121 by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely
Giant-Size X-Men: Jean Grey & Emma Frost #1
Giant-Size X-Men: Jean Grey & Emma Frost #1

 

The Return Of The Big Bad In X-Men #4
X-Men #4 by Jed MacKay and Ryan Stegman

To enter the world inside the head of the newly-created mutant, Ben Liu, who believes he was abducted by aliens.

The Return Of The Big Bad In X-Men #4
X-Men #4 by Jed MacKay and Ryan Stegman

Six five, blue eyes, trust fund? I hear that's enough for some people, Quentin. But behind the abduction, there is something else.

The Return Of The Big Bad In X-Men #4
X-Men #4 by Jed MacKay and Ryan Stegman

Or rather someone else. Left behind as a form of insurance policy.

The Return Of The Big Bad In X-Men #4
X-Men #4 by Jed MacKay and Ryan Stegman
The Return Of The Big Bad In X-Men #4
X-Men #4 by Jed MacKay and Ryan Stegman

The remnants of a very familiar face, last seen in the Krakoan comic book series, Marauders, imprisoned, immobile and imprisoned in Threshold's zero cells, stranded two billion years in the past, with a mass extinction event on the horizon. Still, that's not going to keep anyone down when a billion-dollar movie has just been made. And a classic page to be homaged once more…

The Return Of The Big Bad In X-Men #4
X-Men #4 by Jed MacKay and Ryan Stegman

Cassandra Nova, the subject of the first psychic rescue, is now the revelation. And 3K? These folks from the QR Code in the first issue… as suspected, the Chairman is Cassandra Nova. And she is making new mutants from old humans, "constructing a magnum opus, preparing a crucible from which a whole new world will be born."

Who Are In The Hidden Bonus Page Of X-Men #1? (Spoilers)
X-Men #1 bonus page by Jed Mackay and Ryan Stegman

How she got here from two billion years ago? The power of Deadpool And Wolverine of course.

X-MEN #5
MARVEL COMICS
AUG240711
(W) Jed MacKay (A/CA) Ryan Stegman
While the X-Men engage the social-media sociopath Upstarts, Kid Omega and Psylocke dive deep into the mind of a troubled mutant. Silence: Psychic Rescue in Progress! But Quentin Quire has never been good at keeping his mouth shut… Rated T+In Shops: Oct 02, 2024 SRP: $4.99


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Rich JohnstonAbout Rich Johnston

Founder of Bleeding Cool. The longest-serving digital news reporter in the world, since 1992. Author of The Flying Friar, Holed Up, The Avengefuls, Doctor Who: Room With A Deja Vu, The Many Murders Of Miss Cranbourne, Chase Variant. Lives in South-West London, works from The Union Club on Greek Street, shops at Gosh, Piranha and FP. Father of two daughters. Political cartoonist.
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