Immortal X-Men, Vol. 4

Immortal X-Men (Collected Editions) #4

by Kieron Gillen, Lucas Wernick (Artist ), Paco Medina (Artist)

The Fall of X rocks the Quiet Council!

To me, my…no one! Charles Xavier had a dream. Now he has nothing. This is the Fall of X — and Charles Xavier fell. He fell furthest of all.


Immortal X-Men (2022) 14-18

Genres: Comics, X Men, Marvel, Graphic Novels, Superheroes, Comic Book, Graphic Novels Comics

136 pages, Paperback

Published March 26, 2024

About the author

Kieron Gillen is a comic book writer and former media journalist.

Reviews

[Sean Gibson · Rating 3 out of 5]

...huh?

[Matthew Ward · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 stars. Things have really started to wind down for this era of X-Men. I really appreciate the Sinister story in this one and I actually loved Xavier hanging out alone in his thoughts throughout this one. Fun and interesting biblical parallels made this one more interesting for me, as well.

[Alex Sarll]

We open with an issue of Xavier alone and defeated in the ruins of his dream, and it's just miserable, deepening the suspicion that Krakoa was fun and smart and we didn't get nearly enough of it, and now for the Fall the reverse of all of those statements will continue to be true. But wait - all was not as it seemed! And what initially feels like a cheap get-out reveals itself as something much more interesting, paying off long-running storylines and dark hints in exactly the way the headline Gala attack didn't. Most remarkable is the way that Exodus emerges as the star of the show; the run up to now was already the first time I've ever cared at all about him, but I still wasn't prepared for this, his capacity for faith emerging as a key resource, even (especially?) when he mostly knows he's bullshitting. By the end, the Dominion mystery has been answered in a way which makes perfect sense even while incorporating topical details that I'm sure hadn't emerged when it kicked off - almost as though all of this were being directed by some unimaginably powerful entity outside space and time. Oh no.

[Aisling · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

[Chris Lemmerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fall Of X hits the Immortal X-Men, and boy, does it hurt.

These final five issues bring the series to a close, to be replaced by X-Men Forever while the Fall/Rise mini-series are running. Each focuses again on a different X-Man in the aftermath of the ill-fated final Hellfire Gala, and moves the pieces across the board for the final confrontations of the Krakoan Age.

There's an issue for Professor X, one for Apocalypse, one for Jean Grey, and Mother Righteous, and there's a more open-ended issue as well that checks in with a few other characters. It's Gillen's trademark break 'em and build 'em back up storytelling, with an added dash of despair because the Fall of X looms large. Pain, in copious amounts, but it makes for good comics.

[Adam Fisher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Immortal X-Men has been a very important title since its conception in the Krakoa Era, covering the activities of the members of Quiet Council. Post - Hellfire Gala chaos.... so important.
Highlights:
- Xavier, thinking he is still responsible for killing all the mutants who walked through the gates, has decided to remain on the island, defending Krakoa alone
- Shaw and Selene work together to take advantage of Krakoa's downfall by working legal angles to try to own it all. Shaw clashes against Xavier in his Hellfire Armor, a built Iron Man esque suit, but he sees the error of his way and stops.
- The Mutants did NOT die when going through the gates! They have ended up in the White Hot Room (long time associated with Phoenix) and found A Krakoa there. Led by Exodus, they do their best to stay together. They do have one enemy....
- A plot by Mother Righteous has been hatched. She has made a homunculi of herself that contains the mutant genome, allowing her to be on Krakoa when they are sent away. She knows where they are going and hopes to find Jean resurrected there so she can use her power to be able to achieve Dominion (just like Sinister tried in the Sins of Sinister storyline). She is stopped by the foresight of Destiny.
- Our final scene reveals a final grand plot by Sinister. His divided 4 selves have all failed attempting to achieve Dominion. Their failures allow him to create an AI that just may be able to make a final try for Dominion. (Guess we'll see what happens...)

Overall, a really great read for my first "Fall of X" book. Will be diving into a bunch of these soon and really looking forward to it.
Recommend. All the X-Books are killing it right now.

[Bingus Boingus · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

[Tyler Jenkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Immortal X-Men and X-Men Red have been such a cohesive piece of writing that holds the entire Krakoan Age together. This volume of Immortal X-Men perfectly brings together this 4 years of storytelling and sets the stage for the Fall of the House of X this week. Very happy with how this story unfolded just wish it had been a bit more exciting seeing how important this story is to the overall connective tissue of it all.

[Dakota Morgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Turns out Immortal X-Men volumes three and four are pretty darn dependent on your having read Sins of Sinister. So, uh, heads up to those who are also waiting for that library hold to come in. Maybe put a pause on this series.

In any case, I could barely make heads or tails of the Mother Righteous/Sinister stuff going on in this volume. But! I could make sense of the Fall of X fallout, where we find a catatonic Xavier on Krakoa, though he's eventually roused to defend the land from a greedy duo of Shaw and Selene. (He's also visited by AI Sinister in one of those headscratching scenes for me.)

The other Fall of X fallout: it's revealed that the mutants who went through the gates didn't die, they were just zapped to the White Hot Room (which apparently has meaning in Phoenix lore?). Exodus attempts to use his faith-based powers to lead everyone to safety, but Mother Righteous has other plans. This whole plotline is confusing...but also very exciting? And perhaps very meaningful for future storylines?

Basically, Immortal X-Men feels like the most of important of the various X-series in terms of Fall of X fallout, though it's also the most baffling. I suspect I'll have to re-read it after finally catching up on Sins of Sinister.

[Michael Church · Rating 5 out of 5]

That ENDING! I was kind of on the fence for this volume. It was interesting stuff about Xavier, Shaw, and Selene. Then Gillen threw in some crumbs about what happened to the rest of the mutants that went through the gate. THEN we started getting a trail to pick up on the Dominion plot from Sins of Sinister. And then Kieron Gillen managed to pull a twist out at the last minute that I somehow haven’t had spoiled for me in the months since these issues came up.

I don’t want to get into too much here in case of spoilers, but there are a lot of really great moments. The diaspora bits especially seem to be really evocative, and they did a good job of making me still feel connected to Krakoa during the fall.

The only down side is that Lucas Werneck doesn’t do all of the art. His issues are just so spectacular, anything else struggles to hold water by comparison. That’s not to say the other artists do poorly, Werneck is just that good.

More than almost any of the other recent Fall of X books, this has me excited for the conclusion that I’ve been dreading for months.

[Joey Nardinelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

I guess I've hit that saturation point as a comics reader where I'm starting to recognize artists by style, like Medina and Ryp here (I really like the latter's way of capturing the human form -- it reminds me of a little more realism on a Quitely piece). As I've mentioned in previous reviews, Fall of X continues to be a story I'm really not enjoying, but I think I received enough answers here, and found out enough X-Men and mutants survived to not feel as depressed as I've typically been reading this series. I'm not sure I've realized when I've encountered the White Hot Room in previous issues, but here I think it was used to pretty great effect. I can't help but feel like for all her build-up, this being the end point for Mother Righteous' narrative as it pertains to being a Dominion feels bit abrupt and flat -- I'm curious if she'll stay around in one form or another moving forward. I'm also curious how slow of a walk, if any, we take to getting some closure on Sinister -- the OG Essex -- getting to be a Dominion. I thought the stuff with Xavier and Shaw was fine here, but I'll plead to being always more interested in storylines involving Hope and Exodus.

[Bertazzo · Rating 4 out of 5]

A guy named Exodus guiding a pilgrimage through the desert. Hope and Destiny by his side. I was on the fence with the not so subtle metaphors, but I kinda bought it. I can cut a lot of slack for Gillen.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

By the final few pages of this book, a quote from AtlA came to mind:
"You beat me at my own game."
"Don't flatter yourself, you were never even a player"

While I was critical of some of the story elements of this final volume in a vacuum of issue to issue, taken as whole it really is a essential piece of the fall of Krakoa. While the council is severely fractured after the Gala, those returning here truly feel vital, specifically Xavier, Exodus, Hope, Destiny, and a lesser extent Shaw and Selene. Paying off that Mother Righteous tease before, she takes center stage here, hatching a scheme our mutants try to stay one step ahead, especially Destiny, until it's far too late. Crazy part is the final issue has such a bomb reveal, yet obvious in hindsight if paying attention, that it really elicited a feeling of dread from me.

Immortal truely was a important book for this era, couldn't be done at any other time, yet is incomplete on it's own. It sets up Rise of the Powers and X-Men forever to finish this tale, with those who tried to govern the nation feeling it slip between their fingers without trying.

[Rory Wilding · Rating 4 out of 5]

Following the 2023 Hellfire Gala, which was supposed to be a night of high fashion and celebration but ended up being a nightmare for the mutants. As Orchis has made their move that led to a bloody spectacle, causing the mutants to leave Krakoa, leaving Charles Xavier alone with a dream that was coming to fruition and now he is left with nothing. As the Krakoan Era is going through the Fall of X relaunch, let's start with Immortal X-Men as this volume picks up immediately after the Gala concluded.

With no Quiet Council to help protect their people, Immortal is now in this dark stage where many of the characters are split off in various directions. Starting with a broken, bearded Xavier alone on Krakoa, which is quite the tragic image as he is now living with this grave mistake, but realises there is still a Sinister presence that lurks within the island, so he goes to investigate. Meanwhile, Sebastian Shaw and Selene seek to profit from this terrible tragedy, showing what a complete dick of a businessman he is and has never identified himself as a mutant, at least not one that is willing to benefit his own race.

With many mutants being separated, writer Kieron Gillen particularly focuses on one mass group, which is led by Exodus and Hope in search of a new promised land within their unknown desert location, whilst Destiny who is among them still grieving over the loss of her partner Mystique. As much as these mutants search around to find whatever is left of their race, numerous obstacles occur along the way, including the Sinister clone herself Mother Righteous, who has plans with Jean Grey who seems to be going through a mental state that involves the Phoenix.

There is a lot that happens here, some of which are most likely be wrapped in Gillen's later X-titles such as X-Men: Forever and Rise of the Powers of X, and yet Gillen's character work has been one of the highlights from this series. Seeing our heroes going through all the emotions, with some believing all hope is lost, whilst others are clinging onto whatever hope there is left to ensure the survival of their race. I personally don't want to see Destiny upset herself as she deserves to be reunited with Mystique, even if everyone else around her don't trust her. Considering that Mister Sinister has been an ongoing presence from the start of this series and has already headlined his crossover series Sins of Sinister, it does seem like Gillen can't seem to let go of that character, or indeed the multiple clones that are roaming around.

Across these five issues, three artists are involved, including series regular Lucas Werneck who brings such expression to his characters in his two issues, while Paco Medina carries over similar aesthetics with his only issue. A new addition to the art team is Juan José Ryp, who has provided art for all the major American comic publishers for over two decades. Known for his intricately detailed pencil work, you can see that level of craftsmanship in the last two issues of this volume, and although Ryp puts too much line-work towards some of the characters, looking like they have too many wrinkles, it is still impressive work.

Although this is technically the final volume of Immortal X-Men, this is obviously not Gillen's final work within the Krakoan Era, but still remains one of the best titles that from that era.

[RubiGiráldez RubiGiráldez · Rating 3 out of 5]

De alguna forma, todo conduce a la Caída del Sueño de Krakoa. Y si en cualquier cabecera mutante esto puede afectar más en negativo a efectos de sus propuestas. Creo que Immortal X Men no debería de ser una de ellas. Al estar enfocada en el Consejo Silencioso, el que se pudiese abordar esta milimetrada soga alrededor del cuello de los mutantes, se sentía lo más natural. Pero aunque es cierto que las peores partes de Mr. Sinister son clave en el entramado de Orchis, el manejar esto más como lo que conllevó al "evento" Sins of Sinister, que una verdadera exploración de la política mutante, provoca que el recibir el atentado en la última Hellfire Gala, sea por el puro shock value. Así es cierto que la intervención de Xavier siendo obligado a "dirigir a su rebaño" fuera de las otrora, paradisíacas praderas de Krakoa y quedando como un iracundo "Crusoe" sorprende sobremanera. Pero todo es llevado más por el seguir dinamitando la situación de conflicto abierto en todos los frentes y dando amarga nota final a mucho más que esta cabecera.

[Ross · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Hellfire Gala 2023 has happened and we're left with the aftermath here...

Xavier alone?
Shaw with (yet another) alliance?
Krakoa has that 'fall foliage' thing going on?
Hope, Destiny, Exodus, hundreds of mutants ,Jean Grey...and Mother Righteous(?) wake in a desert?

Lots of magic, mutant abilities, and metaphysical mumbo jumbo in this collection. It, luckily, is one of the least confusing X-titles in recent years. Ultimately, we learn more about what Dominion means and all the Nathaniel Essex clone business.
=====
Bonus: Still don't know how I feel about a magic based Essex derivative. Why his wife and not him?

Bonus Bonus: In the end, you're only fighting with yourself?

[Shannon Appelcline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gillen's strength is in his standalone issues, and that's what made the first three volumes of Immortal X-Men x-cel. So it was great to see #14 focused on Xavier defending Krakoa. But less great when that story went on and on through the whole volume.

It's still a strong story, of the Dominion that Gillen has been hinting at for the last year or so, told in two parts. Also the revelation of what happened to mutantdom at the Gala. All vital stories, well told, even if they're perhaps dragged out a little.

And a big setup for what comes next that surprises me because we're so near the end of the most awesome of all X-Men eras.

[Chad · Rating 4 out of 5]

The only Fall of X book that truly matters. This explains what's going on and sets up the future. A lot of the other Fall of X titles are little more than filler. This goes down two paths. One is what Professor X is up to now that he's on Krakoa alone. The other explains what happened to most of the mutants who went through the portals. Exodus, Hope and Destiny lead 250,000 mutants through a desert as they try and determine where they are at. If you are at all interested in the X-Men, this is the one must read of this event.

[Mitch Kukulka · Rating 4 out of 5]

However, His Mistress of Stories Should Have Known, There's Always a Twist. LOOK BEHIND YOU

While the ink hasn't quite dried yet on the Krakoan Age of the X-Men franchise, Kieron Gillen's contribution to the vast, multi-year saga will undoubtably go down as one of the high points in an era of storytelling already full of them. Extra kudos to this volume for delivering a strong, buzz-beater contender for "Best Moment in a Comic in 2023" with its last few pages.

[Micah Taylor · Rating 2 out of 5]

I hope we’re coming to an end of this all this Sinister nonsense. When this series began, I thought we were going to get some in-depth development of an interesting group of characters (the Quiet Council). But as the series has progressed, it just keeps doubling down on surface-level development of the least interesting characters in exchange for over-complicated plot-points and massive exposition dumps. Sinister, Destiny, and Shaw are incredibly stagnant characters… and this story spends a lot of time and ink doing very little to change that.

[Frédéric · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably the best title in the X series before the fall of Krakoa, with essential plot points that really move the action forward instead of just blowing smoke.

2 srorylines here, a traumatised Xavier and mutant exiles in biblical mode with a surprising twist at the end - although I'd written it into the possibilities.

Once again, a drawing with more than one artist - those who read me will know that this isn't my cup of tea - but it's well enough done for me not to cry foul.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book like this is fine, but it really does prove that the Marvel model of collected volumes is a thing of the past. Five issues collected into one volume, barely telling a coherent story because it relies on too much from issues preceding it and also because its story by mandate had to fit only five issues. I grew up on American comics, but it's time to copy manga by shrinking pages, collecting more into omnibuses, and selling at a lower price point.

[Brandon Daniels · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Fall of X Hellfire Gala is required reading between volume 3 and this trade. It starts off a little clunky because Gillen is holding a few too many cards close to his chest, but the reveals are fun. It’s not actually the final trade. The story continues in Fall of the House of X and X-Men Forever.

[Matt J · Rating 5 out of 5]

From start to finish this has been a perfect X-men run. So much creativity, intelligence and heart packed in. It feels like Hickman set up the Krakoa stage so something really epic could happen and this run was it (honorable mention to Hellions). Gillen will be greatly missed in the X-universe...again.

[Jennifer Sigman · Rating 4 out of 5]

So, I'm not sure how the Dominion bad guy works at all - a ghost in Charles Xavier's head explained it, sort of, but it didn't make much sense. So what was supposed to be a big OMG reveal was just, "Uh, OK, but I want to know more about [other things]".

At least they finally explained that Krakoa (the mutant) is mostly asleep at the moment. Wonder what happens when they wake up?

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Massacre of the third Hellfire Gala devastated me, and this book follows where the exiled mutants have gone, sits in the grief of those left behind, and moves Mother Righteous to the end of her long secret story. It's not about the Quiet Council, but since Krakoa couldn't last forever, it's an excellent way to say goodbye.

[Bob · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gems include Hope makes Destiny pull together, Selene just wants to eat people, Apocalypse is Exodus’s Satan, Hope fucking hates philosophy, & Mother Righteous blood sacrifices Marvel Girl to birth a shiny new god

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

Continuing a stellar run of Fall of X comics, this book focuses on Xavier, Destiny, Hope, and Exodus, with some secrets revealed and fun twists. Inconsistent art is the only downside to a great series

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gillen actually pays off some a number of the Hickman pieces left on the ground after his departure. Not many writers could pull that off.

Well, I say that too soon. We haven’t landed yet. And Duggan has his hands on the stick as well. Here’s hoping the fellows land.

[Ma'Belle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was not expecting this volume to suddenly wrap up (rather neatly and satisfyingly even!) so much of what Kieron Gillen has been building over the past few years with Immortal X-Men and Sins of Sinister.