Dead X-Men #1 offers a mind-blowing journey through time and space with the X-Men in war-torn New York.
In a mix of adventure and despair, Dead X-Men #1 plunges us into a reality so dark and heartbreaking that even the bravest heroes won’t hesitate to face it. This isn’t the Marvel Universe we know and love, but a horrific and terrifying perversion of what was once the refuge of our beloved mutants.
Demons of the New World.
What you find on the other side of the dead is an unrecognizable New York, torn apart by war, a setting that seems straight out of any fan’s worst nightmares.
Tragedy ensues when these heroes are brutally attacked by demons in their search for answers. These inner beings are none other than Illyana Rasputin’s henchmen known as Magic. In this parallel universe, Magik has reached an unprecedented level of power, declaring herself Mistress of all Hell and absolute ruler of Earth.
The engine of change
This frozen events is due to the “Moira Engine”, the wife of Sinister from the comatose clones Moira MacTaggert. First seen in Immortal X-Men #1, this device utilizes Moira’s dynamic ability to resurrect herself, allowing Sinister to manipulate time at will.
Refuge from this dystopia is the Hot White Room, the home of the Phoenix Power and a realm that serves as an ethereal afterlife. This is where the “Dead” X-Men now reside, along with a section of the Krakoa island chain known as Transit or Atlantic Krakoa. It is a sacred place for the mutants who lost their lives during the last Gala Hellfire attack by the Orcs and at the beginning of the Fall of X.
From Agar to the Lady of Hell
Ileana Rasputin, also known as Magic, is at the heart of this grim new narrative. Illyana has always been a fascinating character since her introduction as Colossus’ younger sister, but in Dead X-Men #1, her transformation into the ruthless ruler of an alternate universe marks a remarkable evolution. This version of Magic questions not only her ability to rule over the inner realms, but also the nature of heroes and villains in the wider Marvel Universe.
Comparing this round to her previous appearances, we see Illyana go from a key ally of the X-Men to a fearsome threat. Their dominance in this new universe not only poses a challenge to the cast of Dead X-Men, but also reconfigures the character’s traditional role in superhero stories. This radical change provides a narrative freshness and psychological depth that enriches the series, attracting both longtime fans and new readers.
Back to hope
In an effort to right the wrongs of the past and prevent this apocalypse, the few remaining mutant heroes of the Marvel Universe set themselves a desperate goal: get rid of Moira as a child, before her mutant powers develop. This act, as controversial as it is necessary, could be the key to saving not only mutants, but the entire universe as we know it.
Dead X-Men #1, written by Steve Fox and art by Bernard Chang, Jonas Scharf, and Vincenzo Caratu, and covered by Perez Perez, marks a milestone in Marvel history. This comic not only challenges what we know about the X-Men, but also challenges us to face some of the darkest and most desperate realities possible. On sale from January 31st, this work promises to be a shocking journey for fans and a reminder that even in a dark universe, hope and heroism can still shine.