X-Men: Hellfire Gala

X-Men (2019)

by Jonathan Hickman (Writer), Valerio Schiti (Illustrator), Matteo Lolli (Illustrator)

Don your finest dress or sharpest suit - or get Jumbo Carnation to whip you up something new just for the occasion! You are cordially invited to the hottest mutant event of the the Hellfire Gala! Everyone who's anyone in the hot new world of mutantkind will be there. All of your favorite heroes and their closest allies - and even their worst enemies - for a special night of dinner, drinks, diplomacy and deceit! The very first democratically elected team of Krakoan X-Men will at last be revealed to the world, and that's just the first of the surprises mutantkind has in store for the evening! Whatever you do, don't miss this one-of-a-kind X-event!

Collects Marauders (2019) #21, X-Men (2019) #21, Planet-Size X-Men (2021) #1, S.W.O.R.D. (2020) #6, material from Classic X-Men (1986) #7.

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

144 pages, Paperback

First published January 25, 2022

About the author

Jonathan Hickman is an American comic book writer and artist. He is known for creating the Image Comics series The Nightly News, The Manhattan Projects and East of West, as well as working on Marvel Comics' Fantastic Four, FF, and S.H.I.E.L.D. titles. In 2012, Hickman ended his run on the Fantastic Four titles to write The Avengers and The New Avengers, as part the "Marvel NOW!" relaunch. In 2013, Hickman wrote a six-part miniseries, Infinity, plus Avengers tie-ins for Marvel Comics. In 2015, he wrote the crossover event Secret Wars. - Wikipedia

Reviews

[Oscar · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not that good

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

...but make it Fashion.

Hickman and co. go out with more Big Ideas...that I have a feeling will be quietly reset to the 616 Status Quo soon enough but for the time being, gosh golly!

This compilation of tie-in issues to the Hellfire Gala didn't make me gnash my teeth as much as X-Men: X of Swords, fortunately- probably on account of the Arakko characters being sidelined practically into obscurity, in spite of Major Events impacting them before the night is through.


Now THAT is a glow up! Didn't have our resident Weather Goddess down as the Solar System's Despot on my Bingo Card, let's see how it works out for her!

[Tiag⊗ the Mutant · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit too meta, smug and self-indulgent, with small moments of greatness.

[Nate Deprey · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Hellfire Gala feels new to me. It is a super hero story not driven in any way by violence. It is instead a story about creation and politics and identity rather than a fistfight born out of misunderstanding. The art, particularly Pepe Larraz's work on Planet Size X-Men, is spectacular and matches the grandeur of this story. At the same time the simmering tensions that will certainly boil over in the aftermath of this collection as well as the pageantry of a new X-Men team and some truly insane fashion choices from the mutant community make this collection a visual achievement even if no one gets punched in the face.

[Fraser Simons · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting development, but puffed out like all events seem to be. So there’s a new planet and new substance created by mutants used for trade and establish coin, and they made mars a planet. Makes sense. I read this primarily because X Men Red is on some peoples top lists of the year and I’d already read Hickman’s previous run, so why not start at the beginning.

[ir · Rating 3 out of 5]

stellar art.. magneto and cyclops in this… yum. emma frost had some shining moments in this. i just adore that x-men are voted for in this. magneto and wanda in the last bit was cute. still boring parts and i think the problem is too many characters focused on and plot isn’t strong enough. cyclops’ talk about his story was soooo good.

[Rory Wilding · Rating 3 out of 5]

Towards the end of Jonathan Hickman’s X-Men run, we are introduced to the Hellfire Gala –modelled after the real-life Met Gala – in which Krakoa opens its gates to non-mutants to celebrate mutant culture at an evening party. This trade covers only four issues, each from a separate X-title, that establishes the prelude, the event itself and the aftermath.

The first of which is Marauders #21 by Gerry Duggan and Matteo Lolli, in which we see hostess Emma Frost welcoming the arriving guests: Avengers, Fantastic Four, Doctor Doom, and ambassadors from various nations. Amongst the various interactions, it does set numerous threads, some of which that set up upcoming storylines during the Krakoan era, whilst Duggan maintains his sense of humour through the witty wordplay, especially when it comes to Miss Frost.

Next up, the final issue of Hickman’s X-Men run, where the writer collaborates with artists such as Russell Dauterman, Nick Dragotta, Sara Pichelli and Lucas Werneck, all which revel in the fancy soiree where your beloved mutant characters show up in high fashion. While the celebrity cameos are a bit distracting like Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige, the issue sets up the new status quo, from Krakoa’s ever-growing influence even outside of Earth, as well as the new team that sets the stage of Duggan’s own run following Hickman’s departure.

And since I mentioned Duggan a couple of times, his one-shot issue Planet-Size X-Men #1 is the standout from this trade. Following the crossover event X of Swords, Magneto discusses his plans for Arakko to the Quiet Council, and recruits Omega-level mutants from Krakoa and Arakko for the mission to terraform Mars into Planet Arakko. Considering this is the next stage of Krakoa’s expansion – and one that was not set up by Hickman himself – it also helps that Pepe Larraz draw this issue, which is simply epic, showing the level of teamwork from the omega-level mutants. From this issue alone, you can see why Duggan and Lurraz were an ideal fit to take over the flagship X-Men title.

Concluding the trade is S.W.O.R.D. #6 by Al Ewing and Valerio Schiti, in which the aftermath of the Gala shows S.W.O.R.D. leader Abigail Brand meeting with the galactic representatives to acknowledge Planet Arakko as the capital planet of the Sol System with Storm as the Queen Regent in exchange for a supply of mysterium. Whilst you have some spot-on characterisation with the likes of Brand, Captain America and Doctor Doom, this issue sets the stage for Ewing’s subsequent run that is X-Men Red where Storm and Magneto will be kicking ass in the once-dried and lifeless Mars.

More of a showcase of the Marvel mutants looking fashionable, thanks to the exquisite work of the varying artists, the Hellfire Gala issues are about setting a new status quo, in which Jonathan Hickman will no longer involved, though he has one more story to tell before his departure.

[Luan Le · Rating 4 out of 5]

“You know you want it. You know you want me in you, X Force” — Deadpool


honestly boring until the last issue. All this reading was to lead up to the hellfire gala and yk what the big surprise is? the mutants have colonized mars and renamed it Arakko. I literally thought Orchis would descend from the sky and massacre Krakoa. Or Emma would reveal Moira’s involvement to everybody. Thank god Larraz and Gracia saved it with their art again! Actually, I enjoyed it so much I might go to the store and pick up a physical copy of the issue.

Best dressed was Havok no question. Worst dressed… ermm Iceman’s gay ass.

[Fiona · Rating 3 out of 5]

ooh i can mark this one off as read as well even though it's only x-men #21 and planet-size x-men #1 that aren't part of other trades. 100% inflating my annual read list but i don't careee

--xmen #21--
Fashun Notes:
- what is up with magneto's TOP HAT ???
- i love magik's floating spiral horn things??
- a better drawing of emma's third outfit aaaAAAAHHH impeccable

laura's part of the new team yay! i feel like i haven't seen her properly in ages

i love the bar sinister blind items lmao

oH my god so this issue clearly had a lot of real life people drawn into it. one of the other issues i read tonight had someone who looked just like megan rapinoe in it and i was like ??? though any white person with short pink hair could look like her

i loved how they all joined minds n voted for their new team :') we used to focus on the x-men as just a handful of fancy mutants in an exclusive group but now we think of mutants as their own sovereign nation separate from human society and i love that for them

--planet-size x-men #1--
bruh i really thought emma just made some fancy fireworks and put them into everyone's minds like how the gala opened with everyone experiencing playing an instrument haha

they TERRAFORMED MARS??? planet arrako is the new capital of our solar system??? also storm's the new leader?? amazing good for her.

the process and mutant powers involved in turning mars into a habitable planet was really cool

man remember when all the mutants were just struggling to survive and operating a boarding school in upstate new york. look at them now!!!

[Dakota Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jonathan Hickman's X-Verse seems to be dedicated to recklessly one-upping itself with these mini-events. I'm not sure if it counts as a spoiler since it's kinda the whole deal of the Hellfire Gala, but I guess the mutants have terraformed Mars and moved Arrako there and are now claiming dominion over our solar system?!

So, yeah, the Hellfire Gala is a lot, particularly for an event that didn't seem destined to be a lot. Like, it's the folks from the Marauders series explaining their business to the world. But then, but then, it's so much more. It's thrilling in classic Hickman fashion, but it's also like, where was the lead-in to this? Has Hickman quietly been seeding hints throughout the various X-Series? I must have missed the message.

Hellfire Gala also reads awkwardly since it's composed of four different issues from four different series. There's not a ton of cohesion between the issues, though the artwork and writing is superb for each one. I guess I'm saying this was a weird, spectacular event that, as ever, keeps me interested in Hickman's X-Verse. Great, I guess I have to keep reading all these dang books.

[Sesana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four issues where not much happens, except a couple of really big and potentially very important things. For the most part, this is sort of a temperature check on the current status of Krakoa. More specifically, the world reaction to Krakoa. There's a lot of tension and important conversations. The new X-Men line up is announced, and it's pretty solid. I'm especially pleased about seeing Laura on the team, tagged as Wolverine. And then the X-Men casually terraform Mars, wtf. Like I said, huge implications for for the X-books going forward.

[Craig · Rating 3 out of 5]

Torn between a 3 or 4 star review (guess I'd do 3 1/2 stars, if I could). This is a pretty major step for mutants (i.e., the "fireworks" portion of the evening) and it will be interesting to see where things go from here. Too much fluff surrounding this big event, though. Also, the four issues, each taken from a different series and written by different writers, don't really cohere into a single story all that much. The artwork is strong throughout.

[Liv · Rating 5 out of 5]

i love art. i mean that so seriously and literally. the art of krakoa is absolutely stunning. the bright hues, the flowing lines, the organic hum that suffuses everything. magnificent. whatever else happens in this series, at least we've got this. the solar hopepunk of it all

[Andrew Shaffer]

Nothing’s more fun than reading about a bunch of mutant elites throwing a raging kegger. And not even a mask in sight, or any social distancing!!!

[Glen Farrelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some great world building (pun intended) that sets up what will no doubt be some good future storylines, but otherwise not much happens.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

A story spread across four different comic books. Straying further from an exploration or metaphor for oppression into a ethnostate in space.I like the artwork even if some of the gala designs were straight up ugly. Too many fascinating and spiky accessories. Jan18.23

[Matthew Ward · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was okay. The Arakko storyline on Mars was fantastic and the choosing of the X-Men team was cool, if not a little underwhelming. I thought I’d get a lot more out of the Hellfire Gala.

[James · Rating 2 out of 5]

Particularly in hindsight, after the whole Krakoa era has come to a close, "X-Men: Hellfire Gala" feels more like inspired wheel-spinning than a proper story arc.

Elements of the collection are great. We get a Met Gala vibe, visually, complete with spectacular outfits, cameos from real-life celebrities and non-mutant superheroes like Captain America and crew. There are also shock-and-awe displays of what mutant power is really capable of, with a group of Omega-level mutants teaming up to terraform Mars (with writer Jonathan Hickman placing his thumb on the scale from a power standpoint).

But as I read, I found the book had too much of a try-hard vibe, with the characters almost begging the reader to appreciate how cool and visionary the proceedings were. While I can see why the X-men make natural candidates for a team-wide polycule, I think it's actually better when the characters have different opinions and different perspectives to bounce off one another.

I haven't finished "Krakoa" yet, but part of the vibe I'm getting is that there's a mass brainwashing going on, which feels in tune with the proceedings here. But while I loved the foundation of Hickman's run, it suffers from a lack of focus, with too many teams and too many plotlines and not all of them as clever as they think they are.

[Alex Sarll]

The mutants celebrate the Krakoan Age by putting on some frankly fabulous new togs, inviting the world to see how bloody awesome they are, and - by way of fireworks - colonise Mars. This collection of orphaned issues from different series will do nothing to allay the complaints of those who say the Hickman X-books are too much a sketch of a fictional history in vignettes, not enough of a traditional story - but those people are wrong, so fuck 'em. See also the guests who don't enjoy the show: "Humanity will be petulant, bleating performative complaints about the loss of a planet that would have remained out of their grasp for generations", says Magneto, right as usual. It must be nice living on an Earth where there's a better dominant species than humanity.

[Joey Nardinelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m always surprised when a Marvel semi-crossover thread appeals to me so incredibly and without much in the way of action of conflict, but this one really did. I really liked that I came into this expecting a fashion gala and then got so much more and the level of Earth and Galactic-level political intrigue. I loved that it’s compressed into four issues with all the other elements of the Hellfire Gala reserved to the varying arcs that should house them in a single issue of a longer volume. It’s weakened some of those, but it made this core “narrative” feels vastly more focused post X of Swords. I also really like that almost all of this still points back to the ideological and existential struggles between Mutants and (Post) Humanity as they vie for control of Earth. I don’t want to pretend any of this is insanely surprising or heady, but I felt amused far more often reading this than I have of late with the vast majority of Marvel products.

[Sonic · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is/was an unexpected treat!

[Tim · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel like I read new X-Men books and never really can follow or enjoy them that much...then a few months later I'll pick a different one back up and do it all over again.

[Eric · Rating 3 out of 5]

Planet Size X-Men is the real star of the show here. Too bad its about Arakko, the island that bores like a man.

[Blindzider · Rating 4 out of 5]

This wasn't exactly what I expected: a stand alone mini-series where some villain arrives at the party and all #3!! breaks loose.

This TPB includes Marauders #21, X-Men #21, Planet-Size X-Men #1, and SWORD #6.
Marauders primarily is the "arrival" portion, giving the reader an idea of just who is attending, including a few new people, but also showcasing some of the "gala costumes" (whether that's your thing or not.)

X-Men does a couple things: Puts Namor in one of the camps, mutants or non-mutants, resurrecting an old Bendis idea at the same time. It also introduces a new X-Men team which readers were able to vote on last year. Lastly, the host, Emma, reveals their big surprise which is fully revealed in...

Planet-Size X-Men. My response to the surprise is probably much like rest of the humans. It was awe-inspiring, marveling at what the mutants accomplished and loving how real science (to a certain degree) was manipulated with mutant powers. But I was also scared and intimidated by the bravado and stance being taken. It also laid the groundwork for some future cosmic level stories.

S.W.O.R.D - Examines the perspective of the humans after the big surprise. Loved Magneto having a drink afterward as well as the conversation between Captain America and Doom. Again, sets the stage for Earth on a much bigger level.

[Rob · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would have preferred this be a mini series with tie ins instead of being spread across all the x-titles.

[Derek Milley · Rating 3 out of 5]

As someone who doesn’t regularly keep up with the X-Men, diving into Hellfire Gala was a refreshing way to experience Krakoa and its ever-evolving world. Much like the real-world Met Gala, the event is where fashion and history collide, and that’s part of what makes it such a spectacle.

Emma Frost, as always, was an absolute powerhouse—every moment with her is a treat because she exudes confidence, intelligence, and sheer badassery. Seeing Doctor Strange make an appearance was another highlight, and I couldn’t help but love that he showed up in his usual attire, however, compared to the attendees, he was underdressed. For someone that has seen it all, he needed time to process this event.

One of the most intriguing aspects of the Gala was the quiet but significant moments of political maneuvering. The subtle yet weighty exchange between Reed Richards and Professor Xavier, as well as Namor’s cryptic response, added layers of tension that left me wanting more. Whenever an event of this scale happens, you just know there are countless side conversations and hidden dealings taking place, and Hellfire Gala delivered on that front.

The artwork was stunning throughout, seamlessly transitioning from Krakoa’s lush landscapes to cosmic settings without ever pulling me out of the story. The talents of Lolli, Dragotta, Dauterman, Larraz, and Schiti brought the grandeur of the event to life. Plus, the inclusion of a classic Hellfire Club-centered Chris Claremont issue was a fantastic nod to X-Men Hellfire history.

The only reason I’m giving this three stars is that, as someone who isn’t fully caught up on all the X-Men storylines, some of the jumping around made it difficult to follow. That being said, Hellfire Gala is absolutely worth picking up—if only to witness the sheer spectacle and intrigue that unfolds.

[Michael Church · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was a little torn on how to score this because it’s a wildly interesting concept, and I think it’s executed pretty damn well, but on its own, it just doesn’t stand as it’s own story. It’s not like X of Swords or the Dark Phoenix Saga or Demon Bear or any number of other stories that actually have an arc to them. It really reads more like a couple of giant issues about a new status quo. It’s almost like a free comic book day type story that’s teasing what’s still to come, except with way more content.

The individual issues are all great. Planet Size is delightfully comic-booky in its scope. We also have a fun moment in the X-Men issue that reminded me that Hickman wrote East of West because it reunited him with Nick Dragotta on art.

I think this does pose some really interesting political questions that I’m far from being capable to answer. The idea of naming a different planet as the main point of diplomacy for the solar system is…drastic. I’m curious how much we will actually see about the fallout of this, but I also don’t want it to devolve into a book like X-Corp that’s just about bureaucracy. I think X-Men Red will probably explore this as it follows Storm, but I don’t know.

As usual with recent X-Men stories, I just can’t wait to see what’s next. Even if, three or five or ten years from now, it turns out they don’t stick the landing with all of these stories, they way they were approached and the questions that were posed in the process are incredibly interesting.

[aj! · Rating 3 out of 5]

i'm using this to rate / log the whole event, but generally, i think this is fun. i really like the idea of an xmen gala, and some of these issues were a DELIGHT. one of the things about the krakoa era that's exhausting is that it's just mutants building ethnostates and ethnoplanets with minimal criticism so far, and from what i've heard from others, the criticism remains pretty minimal. it's such a sexy concept but frankly the arrako stuff does not interest me and it does not interest me even more in space. also mutants are trying to be a sovereign nation and then go and take over a planet? and everyone votes yes to it?? i feel like kate at least would vote no cause she can't even get through the goddamned gates

anyway, let russell dauterman design sexy outfits for mutants once a year with or without the hellfire gala

[Gunnar Long · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed more than I thought I would. Been going through the classic Claremont era and was kinda scared jumping into a more recent book.

And my fears were both confirmed and squashed.

In terms of my fear I wouldn’t get a lot of it. I got the broad strokes of the story, and it’s written quite well so it’s an enjoyable time. But I was also hit with a wall of lore and backstory that I felt I couldn’t truly enjoy the story. I just left with far more questions than answers.

But I mostly came in wanting to see various X-Men in cool outfits. And I got that so I can’t complain much.

4/5 - a book where the x-men take mars but the thing I’m most impress with is Emma Frosts quick dress changes

[Ivy Reisner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Required reading for comic fans

This works fine as a standalone book for anyone going back to read older comics, and it would be hard to argue it's not an important one as it sets the stage for everything mutant that happens late 2023 and it seems all of 2024 at least. I doubt it will wrap up this year.

Beyond that, it's a wonderful story in its own right, with a who's who of nearly all the major Marvel characters, excellent storytelling and beautiful artwork. We even get a touching, personal small story to end it on a sweet note.