The X-Men are welcoming the Avengers to the mutant nation of Krakoa for the first time. For more than 100,000 years the mutant race have been outcasts, persecuted by a fearful humanity. But all that has finally changed, with Professor Xavier and Magneto working together with secret mutant Moira Mactaggert to establish the mutant nation of Krakoa. Now, hero and villain alike have been welcomed to live side-by-side on the shores of Krakoa, with the mutants gradually expanding to other territories as well.

The X-Men are about to hold the first "Hellfire Gala," an opportunity for the mutants to demonstrate their might to the world's greatest leaders. The invitations have been sent out, even prominent superheroes are on the guest list. A recent Hellfire Gala trailer teased the likes of Doctor Strange, the Avengers, and the Fantastic Four will be welcomed – alongside more surprising guests such as Doctor Doom.

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Marvel Comics has released a preview of Marauders #21, one of the 12 issues that will tell the story of the X-Men's first Hellfire Gala. This shows the Marauders welcoming some of the guests to the remote island that will host the Hellfire Gala, and that is considered part of Krakoa's territory. The unlettered preview sees the Avengers receiving a Krakoan flower from Frenzy at the New York Gate in order to step through the portal, while the Fantastic Four and - of course - Iron Man make their own way there. Clearly Franklin Richards and Kate Pryde are still close, even though Franklin has been retconned as no longer a mutant.

Marauders 21 Cover Preview
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The relationship between the X-Men and the Avengers has frequently been fraught with tension, and some of the mutant race's actions have been provocative to say the least; Wakanda is one of several nations refusing mutant trade, and there have been hints Xavier is quietly pursuing a policy of regime change. This context makes it particularly interesting that the Avengers would be welcomed to Krakoa as part of the Hellfire Gala; it's a recognition of the Avengers as a political force in the world as well as a group of superheroes.

The Fantastic Four, too, have a difficult history with Krakoa. The Invisible Woman initially opposed her son Franklin's decision to go to the mutants to learn more about his powers, leading to open conflict between the X-Men and the Fantastic Four. In the end, Xavier realized Franklin was not a mutant at all, and his invitation to Krakoa was retracted. It will be fascinating to see how Franklin interacts with his friends from Krakoa, now that part of his identity has been removed. The X-Men's Hellfire Gala really does have the potential to shake up the relationship between the mutant race and the Earth's greatest superheroes.

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Source: Marvel Comics