This year's Hellfire Gala may have already come to a close, but new X-Men art boasts the totality of Psylocke's as yet unseen attire. The mutant assassin turned Krakoan War Captain had relatively little to do during this year's function, especially as most of the Gala's drama was meant to spark the events of A.X.E.: Judgment Day. Perhaps its only fitting that the outset and the resolution of Judgment Day are both tied to the Hellfire Gala, since Psylocke's outfit reveal comes by way of a variant cover for the final story of the event. Kieron Gillen, Guiu Villanova, Andres Mossa, VC's Clayton Cowles, and Tom Brevoort unite to conclude the massive event in A.X.E.: Judgment Day Omega, and David Nakayama's variant cover is set to remind audiences of the night that inadvertently sparked the whole shebang.
Artist David Nakayama has gone viral more than once for his gorgeous approach to Hellfire Gala variant covers. As Krakoa's spin on events like the Met Gala, Nakayama's series of covers are an inspired combination of form and content of the affair by crafting character-centric pieces in the style of a high fashion magazine cover. It's unclear if Gambit ever made it to the second annual Hellfire Gala, but Nakayama made sure that everyone knows just how good Remy LeBeau looked in his Gala attire. Stretching across both Hellfire Galas, so far the artist has given the Hellfire Mag treatment to Wolverine, Rogue, Storm, Captain Britain, Jean Grey, Black Widow, Spider-Man, Captain America, Gambit, Scarlet Witch, and twice for both Emma Frost & Magik. Although fashionably late, David Nakayama's newest muse is the irreplaceable Kwannon, previously known as Psylocke.
Despite having a large fan base and an important role within Krakoan society, Kwannon did not receive a redesign for the second Hellfire Gala ahead of the affair. This just makes David Nakayama's variant cover for A.X.E. Judgment Day Omega all the more exciting. A theme that is often incorporated into Hellfire Gala couture is how one's mutant gift can be re-imagined into an extension of their outfit. Psylocke embodies this idea best out of her fellow Krakoan attendees at this year's function. The only material changes from her typical out is the integration of heels and half gloves designed to match her signature bodysuit. The rest of Kwannon's look is constructed through the fine usage of her penchant for manifesting psionic weaponry. Decorating herself with embellishments such as armbands, earrings, hair accessories, and a woven skirt to complete her gown, modifying Psylocke's psychic blades turns her outfit into something beautiful to behold yet approached with caution.
Pyslocke's Secret Second Hellfire Gala Look
Brief glimpses of Kwannon at the Hellfire Gala tease that David Nakayama's redesign may not be the only thing the former ninja dressed herself in that night. Psylocke appeared in a couple panels within the massive X-Men: Hellfire Gala one-shot from Gerry Duggan, Kris Anka, Russell Dauterman, Matteo Lolli, C.F. Villa, and VC's Cory Petit. Seen alongside her fellow War Captain Bishop, Kwannon is shown with her hair in an alternate style and makeup that distinctly differs from Nakayama's vision. Completed months apart, it's entirely possible that David Nakayama and Russell Dauterman were divided creatively about what Psylocke wore to the Gala this year. Or, perhaps she wore both ensembles. Notably, Emma Frost wore three separate outfits throughout the events of the first Hellfire Gala, so anything is possible.
Beautiful and deadly, Kwannon looks sickening in her Hellfire Gala attire this year. She also looks gorgeous in her alleged second outfit. Either way, as one of the X-Men's most popular Asian heroines, giving Psylocke the spotlight is always a delight. David Nakayama's variant cover gives fans a glimpse of Kwannon they have yet to see before, and depending on how next year's Fall of X turns out, Psylocke may have the chance to grace the cover of Hellfire Mag again and again in the years to come.
Source: David Nakayama.
A.X.E.: Judgment Day Omega will be available from Marvel Comics on November 9, 2022. The Hellfire Exclusive Variant is available to preorder now only through either David Nakayama or Unknown Comics.