Although there are a countless number of teams, factions and alliances within the 616 Marvel Universe, when looking at the heroes side there are three that stand out and that people tend to talk about more than the rest.  And while the means of obtaining membership into two of these groups isn’t necessarily so stringent – gaining entry into the third isn’t so easy.  Actually, now that I think about it there really is only one way to earn a spot: being born on a cusp.  

These “uncanny” individuals each share the fact that within their DNA lies a dormant genetic marker that upon activation, often occurring during the summer of their youth, signals a significant spring forward for our species.  A substainial evolutionary step that grants them each some ability or alteration in apperanace outside of what we tend to expect from “normal” humans.  Collectively this new race would come to be known as mutants or the more scientific term Homo Superior.  However, they also have had to answer to more endearing terms like mutie and genescum.  The Eternals referred to them as Deviants during Judgement Day, while Clan Akabba has even accused them of being “witchbreed”.  

No matter the term hurled at them they all served the same purpose.  To create a distinction that would set mutants apart from others in their species – Homo Sapiens – causing divides even amongst families.  This created an atmosphere where all mutants could be seen in only two ways: different and dangerous.  Meanwhile, more often than not, most mutants merely wanted somewhere to call home.   

For many of these mutants belonging would come under the umbrella of a peculiar boarding house in New York.  Belonging to one “brilliant” man, who knew their struggles because he was one of them.  And in time they would become his as well, so that one day the world would recognize the capital letter X as a cross symbolizing the strength and the struggle of all mutants.  And think of their mentor, Professor Charles Francis Xavier.  

When Professor X opened the doors to five (5) teenagers 60 years ago in the pages of Uncanny X-Men #1, did anyone truly recognize the tremendous gift he was giving each of them: and us?  At Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters, these children were not only given the opportunity to hone their own abilities, secluded somewhere that was safe for themselves and the rest of humanity, but also adjust the optics on the relationship between the rest of humanity and this young species.  

How these X-Men – and readers – would come to see themselves, among a pantheon of other prominent heroes, was also largely influenced by how the rest of “their” race did, as evidenced by their initial battle with Magneto at Cape Canaveral. Surely Xavier would only pick the finest crop to serve as his Children of the Atom?  And that means he must have been needed to look at more than merely how potentially powerful a mutant might be, but also their presence and poise.  That is when you consider the fact that these adolescents were also acting as Xavier’s (and all mutants) good will ambassadors.  

Still, scriptures speak to the fact that the fruit rarely falls far from the tree and that there is indeed a season to all things.  And although the psalmist may suggest the only way to see (know) for certain is by taste, sometimes all it takes is our mortal eyes to detect the differences and changes in the seasons.  

These days the tree, not to mention the very foundation of the mutant nation of Krakoa has been shaken – even uprooted – by the mutant hating organization Orchis.  After months of sowing seeds of distrust and other manipulations aimed against mutants, Orchis sent their reaper Nimrod to sing a song of harvest time during the 2023 Hellfire Gala.   As you might imagine that made some of the fruit mighty bitter, and in fact some of it may have even gone bad by now.    

Seasons change, and this affects us all in different ways.  During Krakoa’s “SPRING” “XAVIER” delivered a speech in House of #1 that was an opportunity for humans to “RISE” above their intolerance; or not – it no longer made any difference to the X-MEN.  But, after enduring several “SUMMERS” of discontent, Orchis’ attacked and struck on the place that was a home for ALL mutants.  Krakoa’s FALL had the same effect as if Orchis had crashed the gates at Graymalkin Way. It woke up the mutants, and now bears witness to the: Rise of the Powers of X.   

Rise of The Powers of X / Fall of the House of X Interlocking Covers

For anyone unaware, publishers – like Marvel – often use artists to create rare, custom covers for comic books. While they can take various forms from foil, to wrap around and interlocking they each serve the same purpose. Conveying certain aspects of an event that is currently taking place.  

While celebrated the true purpose usually gets lost in the hype that publishers provide during any major comic book event.  

Though I’ve enjoyed these special covers since my youth, as I’ve “matured”my eyesight has changed. I noticed more than a means for an artist to draw their favorite characters. I began to recognize a communion between writer and artist unlike the one they agree to inside the comic book. Without the benefit of a letterer to bridge any divide the illustrator must illustrate their understanding of the source material.  What they know is literally illustrated by their works.    

As a longtime X-Men fan I wondered what clues the interlocking Rise of Powers/Fall of House #1 covers contained about the event.

Rather than a singular, or all encompassing story, these images seemed to tell quite a few. It makes sense, there hasn’t been an X-MAN comic in years; this is a story of many mutants. 

However, I couldn’t quite make sense of things until I stopped letting the event rule my logic. While this is a two part/comic event, the cover contains three. Then again so does an X; two lines and where they meet in the middle.

What you are reading is the culmination of that concept. Two connected articles to coincide with the covers and what I felt combined they were conveying. One article looks to discover what is at the root of the variable X, the other examines the rest of the MENagerie.  

By the Powers Vested Unto Me

As I looked between the two lineups on these covers I began to notice something. At some point, each of these X-Men came pretty close to doing just that.

Left Side:

Since manners state ladies first, and we have the two female leaders on that side in Jean and Emma – plus the little detail that growing up in the U.S. has made me accustomed to reading or interpreting images from left to right – I hope it’s okay if we begin on that side.  

However, since we have some questionable characters at the top corner, you will forgive me if I don’t confuse things by attempting to start there first. 

Instead since I have already indicated my eyes were drawn to the center, I’m going to start there.  Thankfully, it’s also the easiest place to identify who – or even a more important question (?) –  I’m looking at as I stare across the collection of members from this fabled franchise.  

It is here that we come upon Polaris, Shiro, Omega Red and Kurt.  Each of them look exactly as you probably saw them last – if you’ve been currently keeping up on the Krakoan Era of X-Men Comics – unless you are thinking about what Lorna or Sunfire’s have begun sporting new costumes since the Fall.  They are also two individuals who, while often rejecting previous membership offers, ended up serving on the first X-Men team of the Krakoan Era.  Meanwhile, Arkady has been one of Krakoa’s most successful rehabilitations and then there is Kurt who created a team to uphold justice on the island – despite some devils messing with his DNA.  

Next to them appears these X-Men are having an X-Force reunion, though If I recall correctly none of these characters served at the same time.  Yes, I know who was a member in issue #1, and yes two of them were Domino and Sam.  Stick with me, I promise to circle back to that in a second.  

To their left are Quientin Quire and Psylocke, both troubled with dual identities.  However, during their time on Krakoa both had the composure to lead two of the more unpredictable teams – The Hellions and dysfunctional X-Force.     

The hidden Chargrill looks like the one who served Magneto in Genosha.  As for Exodus, this is definitely from during the Legacy Virus Days.  The days when Magnego ruled from Asteroid M, which is the one that I feel hovering over the others in the upper portion of this cover.  And Mystique, well this has to be the one who used the government as a cover to turn her Brotherhood into a Freedom Force.  

Finally, another student and teacher, though the ShadowKat we have seen since the Hellfire Gala looks like she learned as much from Ogun as she has from Logan.  

As for the best there is, well given the yellow and blue is one of his best looks – and he, and artists, tend to use it a lot – we could be looking at any Wolverine.  So I’m just gonna say this is the berzerker from the beginning.  

By now you may have begun to pick up on one concept that’s been inserted into this cover; time.  As readers take in the visuals spanning these two covers, they will notice X-Men members that encompass and cover the entire 60 years the franchise has been in existence.  So this is a celebration and showcase to all the team’s accomplishments and what they have endured together.  

I would take comfort in accepting I had fully appreciated all these interlocking covers could s. how me if not for the RIGHT SIDE.  Because, you see once you begin to understand who that side contains, the conversation about this crowded cover may begin to concern you.  

RIGHT SIDE

I don’t think it’s a coincidence the cover put the more confusing character lineup on the right side. And it took a few minutes and memory to figure out what is going on here.  

Sticking with what I mentioned I noticed from the other side, I realized if I look at this as strictly period pieces then I can at least figure out who I’m looking at.  

So Rachel and Proudstar are easy, since they are both sporting their initial suits.  I’m sure Ms. Summers burned hers and until recently John just had the one until his resurrection.

The same appears to hold true for Allison as this looks like the disco diva who was living in Lila’s shadow and under Malice’s influence.  

If you, like me, know this Psylocke like the back of your hand, then you probably recognized this Betsy as the one who after a makeover at Mojo’s Bodyworks was delivered to The Hand.  

Speaking of hands, while these may be cute throwback pictures of the future Mr and Mrs X, let me remind you this is the Fall of the Mutants Rogue who couldn’t be touched.  As for Remy, this is the one who arrived at the mansion along with a de-aged Storm and couldn’t keep his hands to himself.  

That Storm brewing in the back isn’t the one who recently aided the Arakki in ending the Genesis War.  No, that’s the one who was stuck on Mikhail’s Hill, as the Morlocks – who she had just realized she abandoned as leader – struggled to find their footing in a strange new world.  

As for the Rasputin on the cover, this Piotr is the AoA Universe Colossus, the one who was forced to live without his Snowflake for so long that he allowed even his heart to turn to steel.  

Two X-Men on this side who arrived hardened are up next.  Like Rachel, these two mutants – Bishop and Laura – each trained to track others of their kind with little conscience.

Meanwhile, the last few mutants on this side could at least claim they were under some form of outside influece.  That is if these are indeed the Reignfire possessed Roberto and the Alex who was once the prisoner – and power source – of the Living Monolith.  

The final mutant hopefully helps me solve a bit of a predicament in my analysis of the covers for these issues of Rise of the Powers of X and Fall of the House of X.  Because unless this is Monet and the twins creating Penance then this side is a mutant short of the other.  

And for me that matters because I believe a big portion of this illustration’s design was devoted to pointing out the symmetry and balance of not just the image, but the individuals it is showing.  The X-Men.  

The LEFT side contains them at their most confident, acting on their own conscience, without much concern or constraint from anyone else.  

The RIGHT side is full of instances where they were conflicted, behaving from a place of confusion, and sometimes under the control of someone else.   

Two sides, two hemispheres with only one thing connecting them in the center.  All it takes is a scalpel to sever the cortex and the whole thing begins to fall apart.  And after Dr. Stasis surgically orchestrated a strike at the Hellfire Gala 2023, these connecting covers leave me wondering what mentally the X-Men will have when they emerge from this ordeal.  

Which mutants will survive extinction and walk away from the:

Fall of the House of X