Summary
As Marvel’s line-wideX-Menreboot gets underway, the franchise has introduced a new villain who proves that the past won’t be forgotten, with the Krakoan serving as a bitter reminder of mutantkind’s lost utopia, as well as a deliberate continuation of the villainous legacy of mutants' new figurehead, the reformedMaster of Magnetism, Magneto.
The cover forNYX#4 gives readersa closer look at the Krakoan’s Magneto-inspired costume, suggesting that the character could fill the currently-vacant role of chief mutant antagonist to the X-Men, now that Magneto has fullyembraced his role as Charles Xavier’s successor.
NYX#4 (2024)
Variant Covers:
To Be Announced
The future of mutantkind falls to Prodigy! Genius. Student. New Mutant. Young Avenger. X-Man. As Prodigy, David Alleyne has been all these things and more — but now he faces his most difficult challenge yet. Facing down his past and looking his present in the eye, Prodigy must fight to understand what mutant culture really means to those left behind by Krakoa… and how far he’ll go to protect the mutants of New York City from a devastating — and dangerous—conspiracy of their own. Featuring guest art by Enid Balám!
The synopsis for the issue, meanwhile, centers the character Prodigy, and emphasizes that the series will be more than just an action-adventure book, but will also serve as an ambitious exploration of Marvel’s “mutant culture,” in the wake of theKrakoan Era’s spectacular conclusion.
X-Men Promises “Mutant Evolution” That Rejects Superhero Clichés for Something Deeper
As the X-Men look towards an uncertain new future, one team of mutants will explore what mutant culture looks like in a post-Krakoan age
The Krakoan Steps In To Fill The Mutant Villain Void In X-Men’s New Era
A Dark Tether To The Franchise’s History
As the young heroes ofNYXlearn to embrace and celebrate the heights of mutant culture, the Krakoan is positioned to be a dark counterpoint.
The lead-up to Marvel’s newNYXseries has centered on the question of who the Krakoan is, and what will cause them to come into conflict with the X-Men. What is undeniable is that the character’s design is intended to evoke Magneto’s classic look, while their name provides a direct link ofcontinuity to the Krakoan Era. Together, these details make it clear thatNYX’scast of younger mutant characters will grapple with the fallout of Krakoa’s destruction, and the legacy of one of the franchise’s most complicated characters, as they seek a greater understanding of mutantkind’s culture and history.
As the first – and many would argue, the greatest – villain inX-Menhistory, Magneto’s earliest appearances set the foundation for the moral complexities that would come to dominate the franchise over the subsequent decades. While his evolution into one of Marvel’s predominant mutant heroes has been a necessary arc for the character,no other mutant villain has truly been heir to Magneto’s villainous legacy in the way that the Krakoan has the potential to be. As the young heroes ofNYXlearn to embrace and celebrate the heights of mutant culture, the Krakoan is positioned to be a dark counterpoint.
NYX#1 – Written By Collin Kelly & Jackson Lanzing; Art By Francesco Mortarino; Color By Raúl Angulo
Spoilers ahead for NYX #1!
The reveal [of the Krakoan’s identity] sets the stage for an intense, emotionally-charged conflict, undergirded by the book’s inquiry into the future of “mutant culture,” while dealing with its complicated past.
As much as the “From the Ashes” relaunch promises a fresh start for theX-franchise, Marvel should be commended for facing the consequences of taking away mutantkind’s island homeland of Krakoa. Especially for the younger generation of mutants,returning to an earlier status quo – and reintegrating into mainstream society – offers a dramatically potent dynamic thatNYXseems designed, as a series, specifically to explorein greater detail. The natural extension of that is for the destruction of Krakoa to be the origin story for a powerful new villain.
As a result, many readers expected a familiar face under the Krakoan’s mask, andNYX#1 proved them right, confirming that the antagonist isHellion, a powerful psychic mutantand former member of the X-Men. The reveal sets the stage for an intense, emotionally-charged conflict, undergirded by the book’s inquiry into the future of “mutant culture,” whiledealing with its complicated past. How Hellion’s villainous turn is handled remains to be determined, but given the opportunity, the newly-christened Krakoan could prove to be a perfect long-term “evil mutant” adversary for the latest era ofX-Menstories.
NYX#4will be released on July 26, 2025 from Marvel Comics.
X-Men
The X-Men franchise, created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, centers on mutants with extraordinary abilities. Led by the powerful telepath Professor Charles Xavier, they battle discrimination and villainous mutants threatening humanity. The series explores themes of diversity and acceptance through a blend of action, drama, and complex characters, spanning comics, animated series, and blockbuster films.
