The final chapter of the Krakoa Era is here and there is no other place it can end than with Uncanny X-Men #700. While technically X-Men #35, Marvel did not waste the opportunity to celebrate a legacy issue number by rebranding this under the Uncanny X-Men name. That’s even with the Uncanny branding not being a part of the Krakoa Era. But with Marvel heading in a new direction for the X-Men, that includes new creative teams and editorial, bringing back the Uncanny X-Men brand is something to mark the occasion. With that in mind let’s see how Uncanny X-Men #700 brings the Krakoa Era to a close.
CREATIVE TEAM
Writers: Gerry Duggan, Al Ewing, Kieron Gillen, Chris Claremont, Jed MacKay, and Gail Simone
Artists: Josua Cassara, Phil Noto, Lucas Werneck, Leinil Francis Yu, Walter Simonson, Mark Brooks, John Romita Jr, Scott Hanna, Jerome Opena, Luciano Vecchio, Stefano Caselli, Sara Pichelli, Salvador Larroca, and Javier Garron
Colorists: Romula Fardo Jr., Phil Noto, David Curiel, Laura Martin, Sonia Oback, Marcio Menyz, Matt Hollingsworth, Matthew Wilson, Guru-eFX, and Mory Hollowell
Letterer: Clayton Cowles
X-MEN #35 SOLICITATION
“THE END OF AN ERA — UNCANNY X-MEN #700! All good things must come to an end, and as good of a thing as the Krakoan era has been for mutantkind… its time has come at last. The tragedy and triumph of FALL OF THE HOUSE OF X, the madness and mystery of RISE OF THE POWERS OF X… they have all come to their end and led to this moment that will change the future of mutantkind for years to come.
Written and drawn by an all-star cast of writers and artists who have shaped the Krakoan Age, this is one milestone no X-Fan will want to miss! Also featuring a story of family by X-Men master Chris Claremont… and a glimpse of things to come!” – Marvel Comics
REVIEW
X-Men #35 both acts as a conclusion and reset for the franchise. This is a definitive end to this Krakoa Era, while also laying the foundation for the future of the X-Men. The result of this final chapter of the latest X-Men crossover can be summed up as heartbreaking. It really felt like the end of a big era that leaves us in a spot with many unknowns.
When X-Men #35 is at its best is when it explores what the end of the Krakoa Era means for the franchise. Gerry Duggan, Al Ewing, and Kieron Gillen play with our emotions throughout this issue. There are many moments that tease many characters falling back into their original roles before the founding of Krakoa. Seeing those flashes did create a sense of worry that ultimately nothing was learned from this entire era.
The Krakoa aspect of this story centering around Apocalypse was a smart call. While Charles Xavier and Magneto founded it, we saw throughout Jonathan Hickman’s run that it was Apocalypse authority that set the rules. So it’s only right in a time when it has been decided that this age of Krakoa needs to end by having the island moved off Earth that Apocalypse would have none of it. Apocalypse taking this to be as the X-Men giving up on what he put his life and soul in was fitting to the character, especially with how he decided to return during this crossover.
Apocalypse returning to his old ways of pure domination did make the fight between him and all of the X-Men sad to see. There was so much great development to make Apocalypse a more effective leader. This is also what made the resolution better. The only way to stop Apocalypse was for Jean Grey and Emma Frost show him that while this version of Krakoa failed the idea can live on in a new iteration. Apocalypse coming to terms with this spoke to how it is time for him, Charles Xavier, and Magneto to let the next generation take their ideas to the future.
Which made the older Kafka’s announcement about Krakoa being moved to the future through the White Hot Room a fitting end for this era. We saw through Fall of X, Fall of the House of X, and Rise of the Powers of X that the present-day Marvel wasn’t ready for the idea of Krakoa. At the same time, there is room left for Krakoa to return in the future at a time when the idea is better developed with leadership that didn’t ultimately look to rule but rather listen to its people.
Coming to terms with this did put us in the X-Men shoes as it was certainly sad to see Krakoa disappear. Just like all of the X-Men, this era meant so much for us as fans of the franchise. It did so much good for the franchise. So it was just as hard to see Krakoa vanish as it was for the X-Men who were tearing up.
All of this further drove home how Charles Xavier ultimately did become the villain of his story. While he had the best of intentions when founding Krakoa, somewhere along the way he failed to realize that becoming King and having the Quiet Council rule was not the best long-term. Even in the end with his conversation with Magneto we see that he still can’t comes to terms with his own failures. Trying to turn the argument around that he was originally right about his dream for mutants and humans working together showed he still can’t accept being wrong.
That narrative is spotlighted with how he goes about psychically visiting all his students. Xavier was trying to find justification that he is still needed by his students and world. Any reason to break out and redeem himself was what he was looking for. Ultimately as Jean Grey told him, whatever justification Xavier was trying to find doesn’t exist. What he did made it so the world needs to move on without him around.
With how that messaging was all established it was disappointing that Xavier’s return to prominence was teased at the end. With how things went it will be for the best that the X-Men franchise establishes itself without Xavier around. If mutants are to move on from Krakoa and reestablish themselves with the rest of the world they don’t need the past leadership that held them back.
The rest of the teasers in X-Men #35 did there jobs at establishing the ways the characters will be splitting up. We don’t get much of the bigger picture but Jed MacKay and Gail Simone at least establish they know how to write the characters. Though with how short their segment was we will need to see how they start their respective X-Men titles to truly judge their vision for the franchise.
The best part of X-Men #35 was Chris Claremont and Salvador Larroca story with Mystique, Destiny, Rogue, and Nightcrawler. It was very poignant story to a major part of the Krakoa Era was developing these four characters as a family. Having them spend genuine time together was what was needed to give Mystique, Destiny, Rogue, and Nightcrawler a chance to have a real family conversation. Claremont getting the chance to write this story made it even more effective after what he did historically with these characters. Having Claremont write the story fully get over that Mystique, Destiny, Rogue, and Nightcrawler family history is not going to rebooted by this new era.
FINAL THOUGHTS
With how things went with Fall of the House of X and Rise of the Powers of X, X-Men #35 did its best to provide the Krakoa Era its final chapter. This final chapter was at its best tapping into how sad it is to say goodbye to the Krakoa Era. Though there are many moments that felt like the creative team was stretching the story rather than fully honoring what this era meant for the X-Men. Hopefully the foundation set for the future of the franchise is followed up well by the new era.
Story Rating: 7 Night Girls out of 10
Art Rating: 7 Night Girls out of 10
Overall Rating: 7 Night Girls out of 10