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X-Men: Krakoan Era (Anthology Trades)
Reign of X, Vol. 8
Collects Cable (2020) #10, Children of the Atom (2021) #3, Excalibur (2019) #20, X-Men (2019) #20, Hellions (2020) #9-10. Threats multiply in the Reign of X! As Cable and his allies get closer to the secret of the missing mutant baby, a fateful reckoning draws ever closer! The origin of the Children of the Atom is revealed - but who really are these junior X-Men behind their masks? Meanwhile, an invisible threat is loose on the island of Krakoa - unseen, unheard, undetectable by any…except Excalibur. Elsewhere, one of the deadliest enemies in the history - and future - of the X-Men comes online. And when Mister Sinister goes missing, can the Hellions unravel the mystery?
148 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 18, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
May 25, 2022
Cable #10: After a somewhat forgettable previous issue, this one features father/son bonding with Cyclops as they battle some non-Krakoan mutants, and try and decipher what's going on with Stryfe. Good luck, I don't think anyone has been able to decipher that storyline since it began in the 90s. The dialog was fun, though, and while Noto's posing seemed stiffer than usual, it rarely pulled me out of the story. 3/5*
Children Of The Atom #3: This was the best issue of the series so far, but that's a pretty low bar. I was intrigued by the presumed origin story that's unfolding around a doctor who can turn humans into mutants? Maybe? Maybe that's what Vita Ayala is doing? As usual, it's difficult to tell. The space story made no sense. How did these kids gain access to a spaceship? Why is it crashing? What purpose does this story have except to force two characters together? Why does it feel so much like Ayala has no idea how to tell a story so she just throws ideas at a wall and hopes they'll eventually make sense? How did this series make it to six issues before it was cancelled? 2/5*
Excalibur #20: It's odd to think how this series has evolved under Tini Howard's time with it. When it first started, and was focused on Otherworld and classic Excalibur shenanigans, I found myself writing over and over how I felt bad because I could tell Tini Howard was a great writer but she was writing about a corner of the Marvel universe I didn't care about. Then she brought in some other plots that intrigued me. Then it all got derailed by X-Men: X of Swords, which I found to be an impenetrable mess. But as soon as it was over, Howard dove straight back into classic Excalibur tropes and ... I like it. This Malice-focused issue was my favorite so far. Howard has a strong grasp of characters, the ability to give each character their own sense of dialogue without making it clash with the way other characters speak, and she's even made the Psylocke/Kwannon storyline that's been going on sense the 80s seem fresh again. While I am in no rush to see her tenure on this title end, I can't wait to see what happens when she's writing a creator owned series or a legacy series that I enjoyed even before she started writing it. 4/5*
X-Men #20: We grind ever closer to the Mystique/Destiny/Moira storyline foreshadowed waaaay back in House of X/Powers of X, and get to see the creation of Nimrod. While this was far from my favorite Hickman X-Men issue, it was a tight story that ramped up the anticipation for what will surely be the biggest event in the Krakoan era so far. 4/5*
Hellions #9 & 10: The involvement of Mastermind and Arcade almost never make me want to pick up an X-book. Them kidnapping Mr. Sinister so Arcade can build an army of clones is a dull conceit, as well. The biggest issue for me is that I've been reading X-books since I was fourteen, and a few years ago, I read every trade of every X-adjacent book ever printed. Yet I have no idea what's going on with Nanny and Orphan Maker, or why I should care at all about them or Wild Child (aka Sabertooth's Sabertooth). I feel like these characters should have all stayed in the 80s. Empath is technically more interesting but I feel like there hasn't been enough focus on him in the last few issues. 2/5*
If you're not already invested in the post House Of X/Powers of X era of mutant books, there is absolutely no reason to pick this one up. It would be way too confusing.
Children Of The Atom #3: This was the best issue of the series so far, but that's a pretty low bar. I was intrigued by the presumed origin story that's unfolding around a doctor who can turn humans into mutants? Maybe? Maybe that's what Vita Ayala is doing? As usual, it's difficult to tell. The space story made no sense. How did these kids gain access to a spaceship? Why is it crashing? What purpose does this story have except to force two characters together? Why does it feel so much like Ayala has no idea how to tell a story so she just throws ideas at a wall and hopes they'll eventually make sense? How did this series make it to six issues before it was cancelled? 2/5*
Excalibur #20: It's odd to think how this series has evolved under Tini Howard's time with it. When it first started, and was focused on Otherworld and classic Excalibur shenanigans, I found myself writing over and over how I felt bad because I could tell Tini Howard was a great writer but she was writing about a corner of the Marvel universe I didn't care about. Then she brought in some other plots that intrigued me. Then it all got derailed by X-Men: X of Swords, which I found to be an impenetrable mess. But as soon as it was over, Howard dove straight back into classic Excalibur tropes and ... I like it. This Malice-focused issue was my favorite so far. Howard has a strong grasp of characters, the ability to give each character their own sense of dialogue without making it clash with the way other characters speak, and she's even made the Psylocke/Kwannon storyline that's been going on sense the 80s seem fresh again. While I am in no rush to see her tenure on this title end, I can't wait to see what happens when she's writing a creator owned series or a legacy series that I enjoyed even before she started writing it. 4/5*
X-Men #20: We grind ever closer to the Mystique/Destiny/Moira storyline foreshadowed waaaay back in House of X/Powers of X, and get to see the creation of Nimrod. While this was far from my favorite Hickman X-Men issue, it was a tight story that ramped up the anticipation for what will surely be the biggest event in the Krakoan era so far. 4/5*
Hellions #9 & 10: The involvement of Mastermind and Arcade almost never make me want to pick up an X-book. Them kidnapping Mr. Sinister so Arcade can build an army of clones is a dull conceit, as well. The biggest issue for me is that I've been reading X-books since I was fourteen, and a few years ago, I read every trade of every X-adjacent book ever printed. Yet I have no idea what's going on with Nanny and Orphan Maker, or why I should care at all about them or Wild Child (aka Sabertooth's Sabertooth). I feel like these characters should have all stayed in the 80s. Empath is technically more interesting but I feel like there hasn't been enough focus on him in the last few issues. 2/5*
If you're not already invested in the post House Of X/Powers of X era of mutant books, there is absolutely no reason to pick this one up. It would be way too confusing.
February 25, 2022
Again, read most of these in the titles' separate collection. Reread here to complete and keep track in the Reign of X title.
Cable - don't read this at all. No interest.
Children of the Atom - I still think the writing on this is very good. It's focusing on the lives of young mutants trying to live a normal life. While that has been done before, I think Ayala's "voice" is very good. This issue is basically no mutant action (although hints at the next bad guy) but tries to get the readers into the head of another character. I'm too old to read about teenagers but I think the book is pretty well done.
Excalibur - Now that all of the Otherworld story is complete, this title is regaining my interest. An old villain returns and Betsy and Kwannon deal with them. It's a bit different from expected, which is refreshing. Still liking the art too.
X-Men - A Hickman written follow-up to dealing with the Orchis storyline. It's good, but mainly laying the groundwork for a future internal conflict. I wish Hickman stuck around enough to delve deeper into the many ideas he presented in this title.
Hellions - Still the best X-Title so far. Both fun and funny, outstanding art.
Cable - don't read this at all. No interest.
Children of the Atom - I still think the writing on this is very good. It's focusing on the lives of young mutants trying to live a normal life. While that has been done before, I think Ayala's "voice" is very good. This issue is basically no mutant action (although hints at the next bad guy) but tries to get the readers into the head of another character. I'm too old to read about teenagers but I think the book is pretty well done.
Excalibur - Now that all of the Otherworld story is complete, this title is regaining my interest. An old villain returns and Betsy and Kwannon deal with them. It's a bit different from expected, which is refreshing. Still liking the art too.
X-Men - A Hickman written follow-up to dealing with the Orchis storyline. It's good, but mainly laying the groundwork for a future internal conflict. I wish Hickman stuck around enough to delve deeper into the many ideas he presented in this title.
Hellions - Still the best X-Title so far. Both fun and funny, outstanding art.
April 13, 2023
Not a perfect trade since we're still dealing with boring Cable and even worse COTA. Even younger Cable wants older Cable back. Malice is brought to Krakoa, adding another pissed off girl for no reason, but they made Arcade interesting, if slightly off character. But maybe that's what needs to happen. And Havok humping a mannequin.
February 10, 2022
Cable - I haven't been enjoying Cable much in the Krakoa era, but this was an alright installment. It's always nice to see the Summers family interacting. I'm not going to give up on this series yet.
Children of the Atom - *yawn* I'm just not interested in these people at all. With everything else going on in the X-Universe, do we even need this storyline? So far it has added nothing to the bigger plot, and I don't really get how this fits in or who in editorial thought this book was a good idea. Three issues in and I couldn't care less if I tried.
Excalibur - I've been a fan of Malice ever since she first possessed Psylocke in the 80's, so yay for fan-service with this installment! Good story, great art, and it opens up a ton of possibilities for future stories.
X-Men - Hickman is still the bomb, yo! I liked this installment a lot, especially in that it places Charles and Erik firmly in the villain's role. Mystique is going to have a response and it's going to be glorious!
Hellions - I generally hate Arcade as a villain, but man, he's gotten a little dark since the last time I read a story with him! Good fun in these installments, and I really hate that this title is coming to an end because it's one of the more interesting ones in the current X-Universe.
Children of the Atom - *yawn* I'm just not interested in these people at all. With everything else going on in the X-Universe, do we even need this storyline? So far it has added nothing to the bigger plot, and I don't really get how this fits in or who in editorial thought this book was a good idea. Three issues in and I couldn't care less if I tried.
Excalibur - I've been a fan of Malice ever since she first possessed Psylocke in the 80's, so yay for fan-service with this installment! Good story, great art, and it opens up a ton of possibilities for future stories.
X-Men - Hickman is still the bomb, yo! I liked this installment a lot, especially in that it places Charles and Erik firmly in the villain's role. Mystique is going to have a response and it's going to be glorious!
Hellions - I generally hate Arcade as a villain, but man, he's gotten a little dark since the last time I read a story with him! Good fun in these installments, and I really hate that this title is coming to an end because it's one of the more interesting ones in the current X-Universe.
February 7, 2022
I really enjoyed this volume. Of course, I skipped Children of the Atom, but the issues I actually read were good. Cable remains a surprisingly enjoyable series, especially when any of the Summers clan shows up. This time out, it's Cyclops giving some fatherly advice. Excalibur follows up on the possession plot from the previous issue, and does so by introducing a potentially volatile mutant into Krakoa. X-Men continues Mystique's story, not followed up on for something like a dozen issues. I like this direction for her, and I do look forward to the havoc she's going to cause. The Hellions two parter is an Arcade story that I didn't hate, partly because this is a refreshingly blood thirsty iteration on the character. There's more to come with this story, and I'm looking forward to it. Five really good issues, and one I skipped entirely.
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February 17, 2025Cable: remains the highlight, fun to see his interactions with his father and daughter
Children of the Atom: I like the view points cycling between characters each issue and the idea of mutants being popular now (with some kids) creates some interesting dynamics
Excalibur: well I'm glad the missing Betsy plot is over, interested to see where they go now
X-Men: all of this and they still can't prevent nimrod from coming online? Like they have a gate to the station, it feels like there are a million better ways they could have done this.
Hellions: it feels so obvious that sinister has his own plans it's sort of baffling everyone (mostly) trusts him
Children of the Atom: I like the view points cycling between characters each issue and the idea of mutants being popular now (with some kids) creates some interesting dynamics
Excalibur: well I'm glad the missing Betsy plot is over, interested to see where they go now
X-Men: all of this and they still can't prevent nimrod from coming online? Like they have a gate to the station, it feels like there are a million better ways they could have done this.
Hellions: it feels so obvious that sinister has his own plans it's sort of baffling everyone (mostly) trusts him
March 27, 2022
While Children of the Atom remains separate for me, I can assume there are people somewhere connecting with and appreciating their adolescent struggles, and so for that (and the well-meaning nod toward diversity and inclusion), I can appreciate the book, even if it is from a bit of a distance. meanwhile, so glad to have rediscovered the countdown clock edging ever closer toward Inferno, and the Hellions has taken a fabulously deviant turn with the return of a once-cheesy villain giving a VERY PG-13 performance that edges just shy of R.
August 9, 2022
Cable - We haven't gotten a lot of the Summers father-son dynamic since the early days of the Hickman era, so this book was long overdue. Great character development all around.
Children of the Atom - Still struggling to get invested in this title and its characters.
Excalibur - We're still reintegrating Captain Britain back into the real world post-X of Swords
X-Men - HOLY CRAP.
Hellions - A little unexpected! The story isn't done yet so we need to let this play out a bit more.
Children of the Atom - Still struggling to get invested in this title and its characters.
Excalibur - We're still reintegrating Captain Britain back into the real world post-X of Swords
X-Men - HOLY CRAP.
Hellions - A little unexpected! The story isn't done yet so we need to let this play out a bit more.
July 29, 2022
Every issue in this collection was very good except for Children of the Atom. I try to pretend it's not there. Even Excalibur was interesting and I rarely feel that way. Finally we have an explanation of the Malice character, and it's kind of interesting.
March 2, 2025
i wasnt super set on the children of the atom at first but theyve grown on me !!! hellions is funny af excalibur is great and THOSE GAY MEN JUST NEED TO LET MYSTIQUE HAVE HER WIFE BACK !!!!! PLEASE !!!!!!
June 14, 2022
I really liked the X-men, Excalibur and Marauders chapters. And we are moving to a Gala.
August 16, 2022
3/5
Children of atom and cableweren my thing but the rt was really good.
X-Men issue definitely beautifully written
Children of atom and cableweren my thing but the rt was really good.
X-Men issue definitely beautifully written
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 23, 2022
it hurts knowing there won't be another hickman issue of x-men
December 16, 2022
3.6/5
Cable #10 - 4/5 (this series is breaking my brain but I'm here for the action and the art)
Children of the Atom #3 - 3.5/5
Excalibur #20 - 3.5/5
X-Men #20 - 4/5
Hellions #9-10 - 3/5
Cable #10 - 4/5 (this series is breaking my brain but I'm here for the action and the art)
Children of the Atom #3 - 3.5/5
Excalibur #20 - 3.5/5
X-Men #20 - 4/5
Hellions #9-10 - 3/5
January 4, 2023
A great time with Cable, the Hellions and everyone else!
TW for kidnapping, torture, blood, human experimentation, violence, missing children, death, grief, mind control.
TW for kidnapping, torture, blood, human experimentation, violence, missing children, death, grief, mind control.
April 23, 2024
what a great
I really love this book. Can’t wait to start volume nine. It just keeps getting better and better and better and better and better.
I really love this book. Can’t wait to start volume nine. It just keeps getting better and better and better and better and better.
February 19, 2025
Children of the Atom continues to be bad. Excalibur has generally been one of my least favorite titles, but this one was good. Hellions was a fun read.
May 4, 2025
El número de X-Men es suficiente para ponerle 5 estrellas a esto. Toda la historia que ha desencadenado Moira con el tema de Destiny ha sido de mis cosas favoritas de esta era. Estaría mintiendo si dijera que no me gusta ver a Charles y Erik siendo tan idiotas jajaja. Nada en contra de Mystique, es solo que ver a Erik y a Charles juntos ya es bueno para mí y que los pongan en ese plan tan cínico no me es, sorprendentemente, desagradable.
Además, oficialmente dejé de leer Childrens of the Atom así que, eso sin duda contribuyó a que mi experiencia leyendo esto fuera más placentera.
Además, oficialmente dejé de leer Childrens of the Atom así que, eso sin duda contribuyó a que mi experiencia leyendo esto fuera más placentera.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews