Marauders #24 just introduced Marvel’s version of Han Solo to the world of the X-Men, and he has a serious problem with Emma Frost.
WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Marauders #24, now on sale from Marvel Comics.
The cosmic corner of the Marvel Universe is full of dangerous and memorable figures, many of whom will quickly turn on one another at the drop of a hat. The X-Men in particular have plenty of experience with that part of the universe, thanks to their extended connections with the Starjammers, the Shi’Ar, and even the Brood. Now, a new Marvel rogue has come up against the mutants, and after one meeting leaves a fairly impressive impression.
The mutants of Krakoa just ran afoul Marvel’s new Han Solo in Marauders #24 (by Gerry Duggan, Phil Noto, and VC’s Cory Petit), and the rogue ends up winning what’s a pretty clear victory over the band of mutant heroes.
According to the report compiled by the Nova Corps, the man known as Eden Rixlo — at the time going by other identities such as Deen Lorix and Bjan — was a petty galactic criminal, a scoundrel without a ship. But thanks to his skill and experience, he was recruited by the Nova Corps. Shortly before the events of Annihilation and the ensuing destruction of Xandar (which in turn severely damaged the Nova Corp), Eden was given Nova Corps training to augment his already impressive skills. He was even placed into Nova Corps Counterintelligence — but split his attention between his official duties and his work in the world of organized crime. The reason he was able to operate in this grey area has been classified — as well as the reason charges against him for his crimes were dropped by the galactic police force.
Although he was dishonorably discharged and was arrested for a number of crimes — including war profiteering, assault, attempted murder, and even attempted resurrection of the dead — Eden was able to escape justice and remain on the run for some time. However, his luck ran out when he crossed paths with Emma Frost. Before the formation of Krakoa, Emma Frost required a ship for a brief trip into space, and she took a liking to the one Eden brought, the Mercury, which operated via telepathic control. Emma hired Eden for whatever job she needed accomplished, but erased his mind after the job was done. But Eden retained enough memory of the job to know that it was Emma Frost who’d betrayed his trust, and decided to investigate when he saw the news about a new mutant home world.
Eden establishes himself as Marvel’s version of Han Solo early on, a genuine cutthroat smuggler with a killer’s edge. His meeting with Emma even recalls the famous sequence from Star Wars: A New Hope where Solo finds himself accosted in a cantina booth by Greedo. Like Han, Eden is quick with his laser pistol — but unfortunately for him, his target can turn to pure diamond and more or less brushes off the attack. Eden initially seems content then to be bought off by Sebastian Shaw with a hefty supply of Mysterium as well as the return of his ship. But he also takes the opportunity to try and tie up loose ends by jettisoning the mutants aboard — Kate Pryde, Emma Frost, Sebastian Shaw, Bishop, Iceman, and Pyro — into the void of space.
It’s a brutal move that’s befitting of a scoundrel and sets up Eden as a serious wild card in the future. He could go up against the mutants of Krakoa again as they further their interests into the depths of space, or could be forced into their service. It’ll be interesting to see how the greater universe responds to such a figure, especially with the Guardians of the Galaxy becoming a more proactive force for justice in the world. Hopefully, this isn’t the last time Rixlo Eden is seen, as he could become an interesting new fixture of the ever-evolving Marvel Universe.
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