Reign of X, Vol. 10

X-Men: Krakoan Era (Anthology Trades)

by Leah Williams, David Baldeón (Illustrator), Marvel Various (Writer)

New beginnings in the Reign of X! X-Factor's Boneyard HQ is haunted, and the answer to their problem can be found…in the Mojoverse?! Meanwhile, as preparations for the Hellfire Gala come to a head, Ororo's eyes are pointed toward a future that takes her off the seas and over the horizon! Looking after Krakoa's considerable fortunes, Monet St. Croix and Warren Worthington are CXOs of X-Corp. Which of the brightest minds in mutantkind will they recruit? And in the new Eden of Krakoa, Nightcrawler searches for serpents in the garden and fights for the souls of mutantkind! Collecting X-FACTOR (2020) #8-9, X-CORP #1, MARAUDERS #20 and WAY OF X #1.

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

168 pages, Paperback

Published March 15, 2022

About the author

Leah Williams is an American writer originally from Oxford, Mississippi. She has written comics for Marvel, BOOM! Studios, Vault Comics, and is working on more. Her debut novel was a YA Fantasy book titled The Alchemy of Being Fourteen and she is currently writing its sequel, The Divinity of Hitting Fifteen. Leah has nonfiction articles and essays published in The Atlantic, Oprah Magazine, and Salon.

Reviews

[Bertazzo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved Way of X, but X-Corp is like doing taxes.

[Paulo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Collection:
X-Factor (2020) #8-9
X-Corp (2021) #1
Marauders (2019) #20
Way of X (2021) #1

X-Factor #8-9 - Given all the trouble they had gone through the first time in the Mojoverse, I thought this second visit was a bit rushed. Rachel's powers (and the ways the writers continuously boost and expand upon each mutant's individual powers) were fascinating. Also Shatterstar and Rictor are back.💜
X-Corp #1 - Sets the tone towards the new dynamics of Krakoa commercial relationships with a world that is increasingly more aware of the mutant inevitability.
Marauders #20 - I'm a Storm stan, so yeah... this book was *chef's kiss*.
Way of X #1 - Brilliant in making you question the morality of all that is being created in Krakoa, its metaphysics and ethical design around traditions and the culture of a population. While I'm not much of "Nightcrawler-religiously-questioning-everything" (literally) fan, I'm very excited to read more on this run... especially with the finale in this book!

[Carl Printer · Rating 5 out of 5]

All in on Way of X, a book I was beyond excited to finally reach. “This clearly predisposes the resurrection catalog toward an emphasis on strength, warlike nature and the capacity to endure pain…In other words, we are seeing a new evolutionary mechanism at work. Selection by means of prejudicial resurrection.” Wrestling with the big stuff right out of the gate in an amazing way, with an amazing reintroduction of one of the most infamous omegas ever.

[Joselyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

AMÉ WAY OF X. De verdad que cómic tan fascinante. Sin duda, es hasta el momento lo mejor que he leído de esta era junto con House of X/Power of X. Me encantaron los temas que abordó este primer número, los cuales me tenían inquieta desde el inicio de Krakoa y me da mucho gusto saber que, eventualmente, un grupo de escritores si se atrevió a abordarlos. Los personajes también me encantaron, sin ni una sola excepción. Una gran experiencia de lectura que me dejó emocionadísima.

Por otra parte, X-Corp se me hizo PÉSIMO. Una gran idea cuya ejecución lamentablemente no estuvo a la altura. Personajes sin gracia ni carisma. El único interesante fue Multiple Man pero, de ahí en fuera, todos estuvieron aburridísimos. Monet incluso me cayó fatal. Ya la habíamos visto junto con Angel en Empyre pero tampoco ahí lograron llamarme la atención. Lo único bueno fueron algunos de los diálogos de Kol y las dos páginas donde aparece Charles. De ahí en fuera, nada interesante. Dudo mucho que continúe leyendo esta serie.

En cuanto a X-Factor, estuvo bien. Sigue manteniendo el nivel de los números pasados y aún genera expectativa. Solo que sigo sintiendo que sus escritores tienen una forma muy instatisfactoria de resolver los conflictos.

Marauders últimamente no ha logrado engancharme como antes. No es un mal número pero no es uno relevante en lo absoluto. Aún así, no dudo que una buena cantidad de personas puedan disfrutar de él.

En conclusión, 5 estrellotas porque existe Way of X 🛐

[Jamie · Rating 3 out of 5]

These stories were all fine and I can't really pinpoint any specific problem, but I think my fascination with the Krakoa era of the X-Men has come to an end. At this point I find I'm buying the books more out of a compulsion to keep current than out of an actual interest in the story-lines, so I think it's time to take a break. I liked the idea that Hickman had a long-game around the story he wanted to tell that had a defined beginning, middle, and end, but now that he's leaving the X-line it's all now starting to feel like spinning wheels with no real destination for me and now I think I'm ready to get off of the ride. I'll probably pick up Inferno when it comes out just to see how Hickman ends his time as Chief of X, but that's more out of curiosity than any real need or caring about what happens. Too bad, because things really did start out on an incredibly strong note, but I've lost interest in how it's all going to move forward. Took too long to get to too many of those dangling plot-threads, I guess, to the point where my attention has utterly waned, even with the two new launches in this v0lume. Again, nothing to complain about any of the stories in here, but it really does just start to feel like more and more of the same after a while regardless of how many new coats of paint they put on it.

[Sesana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Five issues from four series here. First up, two issues of X-Factor, which is one of my favorites out of the current crop of X books. I like the entire cast, I like how they interact, and I like the stories they get. These issues apparently settle the Morrigan and Siryn storyline, and delivers on the promise of bringing Shatterstar to Krakoa. The first issue of X Corp didn't really sell me on the book, but I'm willing to reserve judgement for a few issues. It looks like it'll focus on the business side of Krakoa. I can see how you could get some decent stories out of this, but I'm not excited about the cast. There's an issue of Marauders which largely serves as a tribute to how badass Storm is. Extremely badass, as we all knew. It's a fun issue in another of my favorite ongoing series. And then there's Way of X, starring Nightcrawler. My favorite. I think this issue shows a lot of promise, and not just because Kurt is on nearly every page. Krakoa raises a lot of questions, and this book looks like it's the place to ask them. Frankly, as long as it keeps giving me more Kurt I'll probably be happy.

[Blindzider · Rating 3 out of 5]

X-Factor: Who knew I'd end up liking Northstar? These two issues wrap-up the haunting of the Boneyard storyline. While it was satisfactory, that's all it was.

X-Corp: I was curious what this title would be like. It's sort of what I thought: corporate machinations, fighting with money and legal contracts. Which if it was, it seems like that's a way to alienate half or more of the readers. It's a little bit of that, and a little bit of straight-up action, but the first issue is the assembling of yet another "team". Didn't care for the art much either. This title didn't grab me enough to want to read more.

Marauders: Excellent. A simple dinner with all of the Marauders, swapping stories about how Ororo is a bad-@$$. Very cool, and the type of story that I'll miss from this title.

Way of X: I liked it! Something different, aside from the usual depravity and depressing stories of the other titles, Nightcrawler is looking for the heart and soul of mutantdom. It's a strong start and I just happened to get the full TPB to read next...

[Rocky Sunico · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of X-Factor's lingering stories finally gets a resolution in this book and it generally made sense, but I'm not 100% if it was the best ending to things.

Marauders was a one-off before the big Hellfire Gala, but it's a solid story that celebrates the unique (and badass) legacy of Storm.

Then we get two new X-titles of mixed value.

X-Corp is all about the corporate side of Krakoa with Angel and Monet as the main faces of the corporation. Some shenanigans with Multiple Man too, which I appreciate a lot.

Then there's Way of X, which is a book that seems to be questioning whether or not mutantkind needs some sort of religion to better guide their flock. They all have a very different perspective with death being a thing of the past after all.

This collection wasn't too great on its own - but we've been slowly moving towards the Hellfire Gala across the different titles and it's taking us a while to get there.

[Charles Korb]

X-factor: shatterstar needing ro be the one to kill the morrigan felt like a hamfisted way to tie this arc and the mojoverse arc together

X-corp: an interesting idea, we can see if it pays off

Maurauders: this was a fun flashback issue also Lockheed can steer a boat???

Way of x: ah engaging with "killing yourself at the slightest inconvenience" from the Catholic perspective, thanks nightcrawler

[Jennifer Sigman · Rating 2 out of 5]

The way X-Factor's story ended made no sense because I have no idea why Shatterstar is the answer. Last I saw him he was a 90's reject, not a Celtic god.

X-Corp did not grab my interest at all.

Marauders is just floundering.

Way of X is more proof that the leadership of Krakoa is garbage. Both Erik and Charles are terrible people here.

[Hanieh · Rating 3 out of 5]

3/5

It wasn't too great but at least Marauders is still killing it. I can't wait for hellfire Gala this year.
The rest of, specially the new x book, were alright. The continued well but didn't really meet up with what I was expecting them to be so yeah...

[Bekka · Rating 4 out of 5]

The X-Corp stuff wasn't as fun as other stuff, but Nightcrawler's storyline, and the appearance of a character I've been waiting on for a LONG time more than made up for it!
TW for violence, possession, death, murder, blood, zombies, talk of religion/religious doubt.

[Sarospice · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's obvious the reign is ending for something else. The Morrigan being a death goddess without followers could've been better. Not interested in XCorps because Monet is so unlikeable. Slightly interested in Way as Nightcrawler ponders everyone's lack of belief. A mutant religion? Let's see!

[Nick Callebaut · Rating 4 out of 5]

X-Factor's fun. Too bad the runs's finishing up, just when I was getting into it.
Marauders 20 is a nice little intimate scene on a boat. Enjoyed that.

Wasn't crazy about X-Corp, but it didn't bother me either. Way of X is interesting, but not breathtaking.

[Daniel Butcher · Rating 3 out of 5]

Honestly it feels very prequel to the Gala.

[Afreen Aftab · Rating 4 out of 5]

X-Factor (2020) 8-9 - 3.5/5
X-Corp (2021) 1 - 3/5
Marauders (2019) 20 - 4/5
Way of X (2021) 1 - 5/5

[Fredrick C · Rating 5 out of 5]

what an awesome book

Really really love this book. Can’t wait to start the next one. The characters are rich and the storyline is awesome.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

in which kurt bullies an old man and attempts (?) to start a religion

[Adam Stone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another excellent collection of X-books!

X-Factor #8 & 9: Reign Of X has been doing things slightly differently from Dawn of X Vol. 1, in that the final issue in a collection often leaves a cliffhanger picked up directly in the next volume. In this case, we had some Morrigan shenanigans in issue #7, which was collected at the end of Reign Of X Vol. 9, and now we start volume ten with two more issues that close out the storyline, while opening up a whole new range of story possibilities going forward. Leah Williams has been absolutely envigorating every character she brings into the story. I was a little worried about a return to Mojoverse, as the earlier Mojoverse storyline was, by far, my least favorite part of this series, but it all tied together here. Also David Baldeón's work has always been strong but there are some inspired panel layouts and stylistic choices in these issues. 4/5*

X-Corp #1: This was the weak link in this book, but that's really a testament to how good the other stories around it were. This book focuses on the power struggle between humans and mutants using corporate and government politics. It centers on how to make stock prices rise. I'm sure there are readers who find that fascinating. It's just not my thing. Tini Howard makes it more interesting to me than I imagined, but her excellent character work just couldn't get me excited for this particular portion of the overarching X-plot. 3/5*

Marauders #20: Gerry Duggan is clearly having a blast on this book. This issue, focused on what a badass Storm is, has such delightful energy and dialogue in it. I wish the color pallete wasn't as flat, but I absolutely love Stefano Caselli's facial expressions and staging. 5/5*

Way Of X #1: I haven't really been a fan of Si Spurrier's work on X-books so I remember being cautiously pessimistic about Way Of X's quality. I was wrong to be that way. A story about Nightcrawler's constant complicated relationship with faith has been stale for thirty years, but this felt intriguing. I enjoyed how he was played off of Magneto and Pixie, and the final page reveal is a little eye rolley but I"m curious to see where it's headed. 4/5*