Marvel’s X-Men Anniversary Cover Pulls Back the Curtain on the Next Era of X-Men Comics

Marvel’s “Fall of X” has descended upon the X-Men, completely devastating the world of the mutants in the process. The heroes suffered several surprising casualties at the onset of the event. In fact, Orchis and the robotic Nimrod nearly annihilated the entire team mere moments after the X-Men announced their newest lineup. Things have continued to go downhill in the months since. Major heroes such as Cyclops, Iceman, and Jean Grey experienced detrimental losses, and wholesome heroes like Kitty Pryde and Colossus embraced their darkest natures to face the new war being waged against their kind head on.

As the X-Men’s mentor, Professor Charles Xavier considers an uncharacteristically deadly solution to the problems the mutants now face. In the midst of Fall of X‘s darkness, Marvel offers X-Men fans a slight glimmer of hope. The publisher recently released a first look at the cover of June’s X-Men (Vol. 6) #35, a significant milestone in that the issue not only officially marks the end of the Krakoan Age, but is also the landmark 700th issue of the mutant heroes’ longest running title, Uncanny X-Men.

Professor X’s Fall of X Plan Involves Sketchy Choices

The X-Men’s mentor has become desperate in his efforts to save the mutants

Marvel has already confirmed that the Krakoan Age is coming to an end in Rise of the Powers of X, a series that has given a fair amount of attention to Professor Xavier’s ultimate plan to save the mutant race. The professor has concluded that the only option left is a complete reset of the current timeline. However, this comes at the cost of terminating Moira MacTaggert as a child. The fact Xavier plans to employ such dark methods reveals just how desperate he is to right the wrongs inflicted upon the world since forming Krakoa in House of X.

The artwork for the upcoming X-Men #35 suggests that Xavier’s reset plan will be at least somewhat successful. The wraparound cover, drawn by House of X illustrator Pepe Larraz, features a number of X-Men and both their mutant and non-mutant allies walking together — presumably away from Krakoa and toward the next chapter in their lives. The cover hints that although Marvel appears to be doing away with many elements associated with the Krakoan Age, other facets of the era may remain firmly intact.

The X-Men’s Anniversary Cover Suggests Lingering Effects of Krakoa

Elements of the Krakoan Age appear to be following the mutants into the next era

The X-Men anniversary cover hints that one of the greatest developments of the Krakoan Age will remain in play as a new era begins. From the beginning of Jonathan Hickman and Pepe Larraz’s groundbreaking House of X series, it was made clear that the X-Men were doing away with the prejudices and differences that have effectively kept the mutants of the Marvel universe separated. They exemplified this when the newly formed mutant nation opened its doors to longtime X-Men antagonists such as Apocalypse, Exodus, and even Mister Sinister, who all went on to become essential parts of Krakoan society.

X-Men #35’s cover keeps in line with what has already been established and features the X-Men walking alongside former enemies such as the aforementioned Apocalypse and Sinister. The presence of the latter is somewhat surprising, considering the trouble he caused in titles such as Hellions, Immortal X-Men, and Sins of Sinister. Equally shocking is Beast’s presence, considering he made a complete heel turn during the Krakoan Age, embracing dark methods while running X-Force and going so far as to turn against his fellow X-Men.

Even more surprising is the presence of several members of Orchis on the anniversary cover, walking alongside the mutants. Throughout “Fall of X” and most of the Krakoan Age, the mutant-hating organization has served as the X-Men’s greatest opposition, constantly attacking them both physically and through political smear campaigns. However, the anniversary cover features two of their most powerful members, the mutant-hunting Nimrod and Omega Sentinel, walking alongside those they once opposed. There is also a tall, robotic figure towering above the others in the center of the image that is possibly a Sentinel, but the top of the figure remains obscured, making it difficult to positively identify who they are.

X of Swords introduced the new fan favorite Pogg Ur-Pogg, and the giant crocodile-like swordsman returns on the cover, suggesting that his story will continue into the new era. The cover also boasts the appearance of an even bigger fan favorite, Deadpool, who has sporadically worked with the team in the past, most notably as a member of the Uncanny X-Force. The appearance of Marvel’s non-mutant Merc With a Mouth is most likely spurred on due to his appearance alongside one of the most popular X-Men of all time in the upcoming Deadpool & Wolverine film, due to be released later this year.

The X-Men’s New Era Will Most Likely Come With Major Differences

Marvel’s anniversary cover suggests that status quo changes are on the way for the mutants

The X-Men anniversary cover hints that although many elements of the Krakoan Age will follow the mutants into their new era, a few major changes are on the way. The most obvious of these changes appears to be Professor Xavier once again losing the ability to walk, as the cover features him being pushed in a wheelchair by Magneto as they lead the rest of the mutants. Moira MacTaggert also appears at the front of the line, which is also a surprise considering the fact that she has become one of the primary antagonists of the X-Men as the current era draws to an end.

The cover also places the continued existence of the X-Men’s resurrection protocols in question, since the mutants who comprised the five (the team responsible for resurrection) appear to be missing from the cover. Additionally, Wolverine’s son Fang (who was recently killed by Sabretooth) isn’t on the cover, while Quentin Quire (who suffered the same fate) is present. These factors present a strong case for the professor’s reset plan being somewhat successful, even if it doesn’t completely reboot the X-Men Universe.

Another supporting factor of this is Marvel’s recent announcement of an X-Men: Heir of Apocalypse miniseries, also coming in June. This series features the titular former villain turned mutant leader seeking a successor to continue his duties on Earth while he ventures to Arrako to serve as a guide to his people. This means that although the fate of the living island Krakoa is still in question, its counterpart will definitely remain in play once Fall of X has concluded.

The X-Men’s Krakoan Age has proven to be one of the mutants’ greatest milestones, and the anniversary cover hints that there are still plenty of interesting stories yet to be told. As Marvel’s merry mutants continue their journey into a brave (and fascinating) new world, fans both old and new still have a lot to look forward to, regardless of which elements of the mutants’ previous era remain or are completely done away with in favor of something even more exciting.

X-Men #35 will be available June 5th from Marvel Comics.