X-Men Legends is bringing back a fearsome foe known as Eric the Red. The latest X-Men previews show him in attack mode with winged allies, potentially facing one of the best known families in X-Men comics. The X-Men Legends series brings back fan-favorite creators to explore classic eras of the mutants' history.
Eric the Red, also known as Davan Shakari, is a Shi'ar. His first appearance was back in 1976 in X-Men #97. The Shi'ar have long been allies and foes of the X-Men. They were a villainous force, targeting Jean Gray's family during the ever-popular "The Phoenix Saga." Eric the Red has freed villains from prison, tried to kill Charles Xavier, and his costume has been used as a disguise by Scott Summers (Cyclops). The character has made some appearances here and there, but it seems like he is back in full force for the newest X-Men series.
In the previews for X-Men Legends #1, written by Fabian Nicieza with art by Brett Booth, Eric the Red is shown alongside a small group of Shi'ar, recognizable by their avian appearance. There isn't a lot of dialogue, but there are several glimpses at the main focus of this series: the Summers family. Cyclops is shown battling alongside his brother, Havoc (Alex Summers). The next page has Cable, or Nathan Summers, the time-traveling son of Scott Summers. The last page shows what is arguably one of the most intriguing parts of this series: Adam-X, the possible third Summers brother.
This series is supposed to present the connection between the Shi'ar and the Summers family bloodline. This is why the presence of Eric the Red is so intriguing. Eric the Red is a Shi'ar warrior and one of the X-Men's bigger villains, but Adam-X has been known to be Shi'ar as well. Adam-x was raised in the Shi'ar galaxy and this wouldn't be his first encounter with Eric the Red. The two have been known to fight before, and their last encounter ended with Eric the Red brainwashing Adam-X. Eric is the reason Adam knows that he is related to the Neramani family. Adam isn't just a distant relation, but the son of the former emperor of the Shi'ar. He was spotted in Krakoa recently and now, this series will reveal just how everything connects.
Whatever this series reveals, it is bound to be big. Why is Eric the Red fighting the Summers brothers? Could this be a power move to gain influence on the Shi'ar or take it over? Or is it the Shi'ar Empire itself that wants one or all of the Summers brothers? X-Men fans have a lot to look forward to as the pieces of this family lineage continue to come together when X-Men Legends #1 drops on February 17.