Welcome to an all-new edition of Parlay Points!
For this entry, the road to Hell is paved with good intentions. Orchis nearly defeated the Children of the Atom. Nathaniel Essex has now become Enigma, a near god and threat to all. These events convinced Charles Xavier to cut a deal with Orchis to save mutantkind. The deal goes against everything the X-Men have fought for.
Luckily, Xavier’s students didn’t go along with plans. They made a victorious stand against Nimrod. With only one threat still looming, the fate of Mutantkind is now in one person’s hands.
Rise of the Powers of X #5 by Kieron Gillen, Luciano Vecchio, David Curiel, and Clayton Cowles (Marvel Entertainment) sets up a showdown of epic proportions.
Let’s take a closer look at the end of the Krakoan Era!
Rise of the Powers of X #5 by Kieron Gillen, Luciano Vecchio, David Curiel, and Clayton Cowles (Marvel Entertainment)
*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***
The X-Men have succeeded where Xavier had failed. They have brought back Jean Grey and the Phoenix Force! In the former White Hot Room of Mutant Afterlife, Jean has emerged. A conversation is had between Jean the powerful entity. With the souls of every mutant feeding the fire, They head to space merged with a mission. Defeat Enigma or die trying.
Meanwhile, the mutants on Earth celebrate their win over Nimrod. However, there is an apprehensive voice looming. Mr. Sinister asks Destiny if it is truly over. Her reply doesn’t support positivity. She simply doesn’t tell him what she sees.
Readers watch as Phoenix flies into space for the confrontation. Enigma is waiting with all the other Dominions as backup. This truly has the “heavyweight title fight” feel the story deserves. An unforeseen play happens that causes Enigma to run away.
This leads back to the two that started the Krakoan Era in the first place: Charles Xavier and Moira. Their conversation in present time goes back to the moment on the park bench where Xavier was shown the future. It is poetic that all things come full circle.
From here, choices are made with direct impact. The fallout leads to a heroic moment that lends itself to the fight. Nothing is held back. Once the smoke clears, readers know how the future is going to play out. They also are left with a stunning ending arc. One era has ended forever and another begins.
Gillen constructs a steady end to one of comics’ biggest eras. Seeing Phoenix being the last hope for Mutants feels as a metaphor for the return of Mutants back to the classic X-Men era. While ambitious, seeing mutants driven in a more heroic stance proves feels more like the characters we all became fans off.
The writing dives into the guilt and regret of Xavier. This proves to be a strong element. Hearing his recollection of events defines how far things have come and gone. This leads into a defining moment which inspires the final stand. Its’ fallout leaves no confusion on where events now lead. It is exactly what you are looking for to conclude this chapter with.
Vecchio goes big with many full or near full page images for this issue. It helps create that “big fight feel” previously eluded to. From Enigma’s initial encounter with Phoenix to the eventual face-off later, the pages are bold and direct of how powerful these two beings are. The Jean proclamation of “We’re The X-men” is an absolute defining image for this conclusion.
Xavier’s recollection of events also stands out. The use of panels is creative in explaining his thoughts. It’s a great use of historic retelling at its core. Xavier’s final moments in the chapter will also stand out. The series of panels hold nothing back as his future is clarified for the audience. This will be a moment that fans will have much to say about.
FINAL SCORE: 9.7
The end of the Krakoan Era has arrived in grand fashion. Gillen pens a tale of reflection and fearlessness with Mutantkind’s fate hanging in the balance. Vecchio, Curiel and Cowles provide the larger than life visuals to bring this era of time to a thunderous close. This will be one story not to miss!
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