Warning: contains a preview of X-Men #21!
In a special preview for X-Men #21, readers meet the most controversial guest of the Hellfire Gala: Prince Namor the Sub-Mariner. Despite his mutant status, Namor has had frosty relations with the X-Men and the nation of Krakoa recently, making his presence at the Hellfire Gala all the more shocking. The issue is on sale in print and digital June 9.
Namor is not only one of Marvel’s oldest characters, he is also considered to be the first mutant character as well, born with wings on his feet. The son of an Atlantean princess and a human, Namor has been both friend and foe to Marvel's other heroes, most recently threatening the X-Men and Krakoa as a whole, promising to reign destruction down on them if they interfered with the affairs of Atlantis. Relations have since smoothed over at least a little, because Namor received an invite to the Hellfire Gala, a lush affair staged by Emma Frost. The gala invites celebrities and dignitaries from around the world to the island for one night only, as a way of extending the hand of friendship.
In a preview from Marvel Comics, Professor X and Magneto take a break from the Gala’s festivities to meet up with Namor, who is brooding by himself away from the other party-goers. Namor acknowledges the two of them, and gives them backhanded compliments on the Hellfire Gala, saying it seems well attended, even if by guests themselves leave something to be desired. Professor X thanks Namor for coming, assuaging his ego by calling by him a very special guest. Magneto offers Namor praise as well, but it feels a little dishonest. Namor, picking up on the cues, takes a drink and towers over Professor X, asking him how the "empire building" is going.
Jonathan Hickman's X-Men revamp has plunged Marvel's mutants into a game of nations reminiscent of his prior work on East of West, so it's great to see him reunited with collaborator Nick Dragotta for this scene between the rulers of mutantkind and the king of Atlantis. Xavier and Magneto are playing a deeper game than almost anyone else knows - seeking to change the very future of the Marvel Universe - but while Namor may not know their plans, it's clear that his cynicism has given him a more accurate idea of these apparent heroes than most of their other guests possess.
Above all, Namor is a pragmatic ruler of his people, and it's possible that despite his barbs, his attendance at the Hellfire Gala heralds a new alliance between Krakoa and Atlantis. Written by Jonathan Hickman, with art by Sara Pichelli, Nick Dragotta, Russell Dauterman, Lucas Werneck, colors by Rachelle Rosenberg and Frank Martin, and letters by Clayton Cowles, X-Men #21 will reveal how Xavier and Magneto deal with a guest who knows better than to trust his fellow rulers, and see Namor continue to be the most controversial guest at any party.