The actions of a major villain might have given Krakoa its most important victory — but doomed the X-Men to a horrifying role in the future.
WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Inferno #4, on sale now from Marvel Comics.
The events of Inferno are important the X-Men, but take place on a more personal scale than events like X of Swords. To attest to this dynamic, the actions of Mystique have confirmed the path that mutants are heading towards — for good and for ill.
Mystique removed the powers of Moira X in Inferno #4 (by Jonathan Hickman, Valerio Schiti, Stefano Caselli, David Curiel, and VC’s Joe Sabino) and confirmed the apparent destiny of Krakoa. And while it might be a blessing in the short-term, it might seriously come back to haunt the Marvel Universe.
Mystique has spent almost her entire tenure in the Marvel Universe as one of the X-Men’s most dangerous wildcards. A largely unpredictable and ruthless manipulator, the shape-shifter has been a frequent enemy of the X-Men. But she’s also developed a deep connection with many of them — even being the birth mother to Nightcrawler and an adopted mother to Rogue. Her moral flexibility has seen her rise in the ranks among the mutant community. Recently, she’s used this clout to become a member of the Quiet Council. In turn, Inferno has seen her finally resurrect her long-dead lover Destiny — and even help her become elected to the Quiet Council as well.
Mystique’s machinations finally came to serious fruition in Inferno #4, which saw her turn against Krakoan interests in unique ways. Alongside Destiny, the pair turned their attention to Moira X, the woman who feared Destiny’s revival. After discovering Moira’s potential to reboot the universe from Emma Frost, Mystique and Destiny enacted a dark plan. After leaving Xavier and Magneto to die by Nimrod and Omega-Sentinel’s hands, they captured Moira. Mystique then used the power neutralizing device constructed by Forge on her — removing her ability to die and reboot the timeline. This was openly done to cement their recent victories and ensure the Krakoan Age could not be reversed. It is a major moment for the pair, and a serious victory for the X-Men — in theory.
With the timeline seemingly cemented by Mystique’s actions, the X-Men’s recent global and universal gains are fixed. In the current era, resurrection has been expanded and Mars has become a mutant world. The mutants are more publicly accepted and their nation has grown in monumental ways. Mutants are a galactically recognized force now, power players on a cosmic scale. But it also quietly confirms the potentially dark path they’ve been heading towards. Omega-Sentinel’s body was overwritten by a future identity, who traveled back to the past to change the massive wars the mutants will embark on down the line. This includes a major conflict with the Children of the Vault and a seemingly inevitable human/mutant war. Without Moira X’s potential to create a do-over, the X-Men are now stuck on this path.
Mystique just cemented the X-Men’s greatest victories and doomed them to massive wars. All along, it does not seem she cares for the overall safety of the mutant community. Instead, Mystique wanted to lock in the current reality — one where her wife is resurrected and her children happy. It was out of self-interest that Mystique went to these brutal lengths, and now the conflict between mutants and machines is that choice’s cost. If things take a dark turn for mutant kind, they now lack one of their most potentially advantageous options — restarting the timeline fresh with Moira. As it stands, Mystique’s actions are a modern blessing — and a potential curse for mutant-kind.
About The Author
For all the latest Comics News Click Here
For the latest news and updates, follow us on Google News.
