Marvel Comics celebrates the return of the X-Men team everyone's been missing in a new trailer. In 2019, superstar comic book writer Jonathan Hickman relaunched the X-Men franchise. Under his pen, the mutant race gathered on the living island of Krakoa, hero and villain alike, forming a new mutant community. They even learned to conquer death, using a synergy of mutant powers and Cerebro technology.
The X-Men books are flourishing in a way that hasn't been seen since the '90s, but attentive readers began to notice one thing was missing; the X-Men themselves. Finally, during the X of Swords event, Hickman revealed Krakoa's ruling Quiet Council had chosen to disband the X-Men, believing the name would be too controversial given its history. Disagreeing, Cyclops and Jean Grey decided to reform the X-Men, with Cyclops insisting they were needed. "You formed the Quiet Council to be the government of Krakoa," he told Xavier. "Well... the X-Men are its heroes." The new X-Men were elected by Krakoa's residents in this week's X-Men #21, ahead of a relaunch in July under Gerry Duggan, and they presented themselves to the world as a force to be reckoned with.
Marvel has released an official trailer celebrating the team's debut, showing art from Pepe Larraz. It shows them battling an unknown threat, giving each member of the team - Cyclops, Marvel Girl, Laura Kinney's Wolverine, Rogue, Polaris, Sunfire, and Synch - a chance to shine. And it stresses they're "fearless" - a point the solicit makes as well:
"The heroes of Krakoa are here to save the planet! Things might be complicated between the nation of Krakoa and the rest of the world, but to the X-MEN, things are simple — you do what's right, you protect those who need protecting and you save the world we all share. Cyclops, Marvel Girl, Sunfire, Rogue, Wolverine, Synch and Polaris are the chosen champions of mutantkind, and they will not shrink from any battle for their home planet. Writer Gerry Duggan (MARAUDERS, DEADPOOL, UNCANNY AVENGERS) reteams with superstar artist Pepe Larraz (HOUSE OF X, X OF SWORDS, UNCANNY AVENGERS) to chart the course of the X-Men in a world of the Reign of X!"
This is certainly an unusual group of X-Men, with members representing the history of the team; there are two members of the Original Five X-Men, Polaris was introduced in 1968, Sunfire was part of the Second Genesis team, Rogue was one of the most popular additions from the '80s, Synch was featured in the '90s Generation X series, and the new Wolverine made her way into the comics in 2004. They're fighting side-by-side for the first time, chosen as the heroes of Krakoa, determined to continue protecting a world that hates and fears them. And it's no wonder they're fearless; the X-Men have always had a rather unique relationship with death, but this team know they will be resurrected with ease if they fall.
The X-Men #1 trailer doesn't drop any clues as to the plot, settling for giving viewers a glimpse of Pepe Larraz's stunning art. Whatever they're facing, though, the solicit hints it's potentially a threat to the entire world - but no doubt the X-Men will prove more than capable of defeating it.