As Inhumans vs. X-Men kicks off this week, Marvel brings mutant-Inhuman hostilities to a head. The stakes have never been higher, but the House of Ideas continues to reassure X-fans that their favorite mutants will not only return but enjoy a ResurreXion. As recently revealed, a number of new X-books would be hitting stores next spring, including solo shots for Jean Grey and Iceman, as well as a new Gen-X book and a Weapon X ongoing or anthology comic – all of which are reputed to bring about a new era for the X-Men (as well as the Inhumans).
ResurreXion will also bring with it two throwbacks to the classic '90s mutant books, X-Men Blue and X-Men Gold - the exciting details of which have now been released.
Marvel announced that the creative force behind X-Men Blue will be mutant writer Cullen Bunn (Deadpool: Back in Black) with art by Jorge Molina (Star Wars). The Blue team will feature the time-displaced X-Men, including team-leader Jean Grey, Iceman, Beast, Angel, and Cyclops – operating under the guidance of none other than Magneto. Certainly this won't be the first time the classic X-Men foe took an advisory role to young mutants; however, his involvement still might not be above board. Writer Bunn discussed Magneto’s new role going forward in X-Men Blue with IGN (via CBR):
“Magneto is the oldest enemy of these X-Men. This was the first ‘evil mutant’ that they battled way back in X-Men #1. And now here he is taking on this mentor role with them. That immediately raises a lot of questions. Why would these X-Men be working with him? What is he trying to accomplish now? Do they feel that he’s changed his ways? And that really is what I was excited about. It opened up a lot of really interesting questions for us. There’s some mystery involved in terms of why the X-Men are working with him and what they’re trying to accomplish. There’s a little bit of intrigue there because knowing Magneto, you know he’s got ulterior motives. He’s Magneto. The original five X-Men aren’t stupid. They know this. And maybe they have some ulterior motives of their own.”
In addition to the Blue mutant group, Marvel will also introduce a new X-Men Gold squad as well. Writer Marc Guggenheim (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) will provide the story while Ardian Syaf bring their adventures to life. Members of the gilded group include Storm, Old Man Logan, Colossus, Rachel Grey, and Nightcrawler, as well as a freshly earth-bound Kitty Pryde, who'll be calling the shots. Until recently, Pryde was roaming the cosmos with interstellar do-gooders the Guardians of the Galaxy. After Kitty's return to Earth, she'll head up the team, who faces continued mutant-based hatred. Guggenheim explored the uphill battles she’ll face as team Gold's leader:
“There’s more going on here than just another new Brotherhood of Evil Mutants, the umpteenth iteration. One of the things that I wanted to get back to and really sort of drill down is what does it mean to be a mutant in the 21st century, in a world where you’ve got Inhumans and you’ve had mutants for all this time and you’ve had M-Pox and Genosha and all the things that have happened to mutants throughout the years. Why does this racism still exist? In fact, the very first page sort of sets out my anti-mutant treatise. I really tried to put on my racism hat and justify hatred of mutants for the 21st century. And the brotherhood really plays into that.”
Despite the worries of many fans, Marvel seems to have no plans of wiping out the mutant band. X-fans will, in fact, receive a major dose of their favorite mutants each month since both Blue and Gold, which launch in April of next year, will ship bimonthly. That’s a grand total of four X-Men comics every month.
With a new iteration of the Evil Brotherhood of Mutants rearing its anti-mutant agenda, both cadres ought to have their work cut out for them, which should make things rather interesting for the Children of the Atom. Also, both squads will be led by powerful women but made up of headstrong, opinionated individuals as well as the perpetual wildcard, Magneto.
No details beyond team members and the X-Men Blue and Gold's creative crew have been announced. Initial hopes placed a few resurrected characters like classic Jean Grey and Wolverine, as well as Professor X as party to the ResurreXion. At this point, unfortunately, it doesn’t appear that any of the old favorites will return from their comic book 'death,' but there may still be a few surprises in store. We’ll keep you posted on any further developments in the X-world and the Marvel Universe.
Next: X-Men’s Cyclops Just Met A Shocking End
X-Men Blue and X-Men Gold debut in April of 2017.