The world of X-Men has given mutants everywhere a fresh start on the island of Krakoa, but what about those soldiers and villains who can't stand to stay out of the action... but aren't exactly 'heroes,' either? The answer is the new team called Hellions, a home for mutants who don't quite fit the new mutant paradise.
With the former supervillain Mr. Sinister leading this strike team, fans can expect twists and turns to come when Hellions begins. But just what are writer Zeb Wells and artist Stephen Segovia cooking up with this odd assortment? And given how many lines have been crossed by the X-Men proper already, where will this group of true outsider Hellions lead? Screen Rant is pleased to offer a preview with Wells himself, diving into the stars, the story, and the sinister circumstances that bring this new team of Hellions together along with exclusive new pages.
When Krakoa welcomes mutant supervillains along with the heroes, it went without saying that eventually, problems would arise. The question now facing mutants is a simple one: what to do with the troublemakers? Apparently the answer is to entrust them to Mister Sinister as his brand new Hellions: Scalphunter, Wild Child, Empath, Nanny, Orphanmaker, Psylocke, and Havok. Under Sinister's direction, they will finally be put to good use. Well, who decides what's 'good' anyway?
Screen Rant: The mutant leaders stirred up some history when they extended amnesty and Krakoa to even the villainous mutants. But the question of whether or not those bad blood mutants are accepted or rejected hasn't been answered. Is that part of the Hellions story fans can expect?
Absolutely. The book asks how the mutants with blood on their hands can possibly integrate in a civilized society. We'll see how others feel about sharing an island with them. A lot of mutants aren't happy.
The premise of Hellions makes Psylocke and Havok seem like the odd ones out. How does their presence in this book, and on this team, stem from their role in the larger X-Men/Krakoa changes?
Ostensibly Psylocke is on the team as a baby sitter, but her relationship with Mr. Sinister has gotten closer since Fallen Angels. Never a good thing. Havok is assigned to the team after he makes some bad decisions on a mission. He's put on the Hellions to "cool off."
Throughout House of X, Powers of X, and Dawn of X, Mister Sinister has been looming around the edges with desires and secrets of his own. If the Hellions are 'his' team, what should fans expect from him as a leader?
He's the Hellions' leader because he's sensitive to the needs of the dangerously unstable, being dangerously unstable himself. Will this make him a great leader? Only time, or, more quickly, common sense, will tell.
Stephen Segovia seems to be injecting so much personality into the previews readers have gotten. How would you describe his vision for this... unconventional X-Men team?
Stephen just feels like an X-Men artist... like Mr. Sinister gathered the DNA from the best X-artists ever and grew Stephen in a lab. He seems to be perfect at leaning into nostalgia when appropriate, but also ripping all that up and going his own way when called for. We're so lucky to have him.
Jonathan Hickman has led the charge with the Dawn of X, but he's pushed back against the idea that other creators and books aren't forging their own stories and Identities. So what do you think (or hope) sets the Hellions apart? Or what part of the new X-Men world are you drilling down into?
Hellions drills down into one of the many questions posed by this new status quo: Where do all the problem mutants go? But the real fun of the book is seeing these profoundly different and anti-social characters play off each other.
The preview pages give a closer look at the questionable actions of Havok which lead to his reassignment. Add in the knowledge that the Goblin Queen Madelyne Pryor is on a collision course with Hellions and the rest of Krakoa, and it's no coincidence to see the Summers brother at the heart of the story. But where will the other characters fit in, and how will they succeed at redemption (assuming they are even seeking it)? Those questions will have to wait, but until then, readers can find the full solicitation details and plot synopsis below:
- HELLIONS #1
- Release Date: March 25th, 2020
- Written by: Zeb Wells
- Art by: Stephen Segovia
- BAD IS THE NEW GOOD! When Krakoa opened their doors to all mutants and forgave all past crimes, they might have known they'd have to accept some of their worst foes into the fold... but they didn't plan for what to do with them. Not to worry-Mister Sinister knows what to do with the troublemakers. Meet his new Hellions: Scalphunter, Wild Child, Empath, Nanny, Orphanmaker, Psylocke...and Havok?! Under Sinister's direction, they are sure to become productive members of mutant society. Writer Zeb Wells (AMAZING SPIDER-MAN, NEW MUTANTS) and artist Stephen Segovia (WOLVERINE: MANIFEST DESTINY, SUPERIOR CARNAGE) bring you the team you're going to hate to love!
Hellions #1 arrives at your local comic book shop on March 25th, 2020.