In the comic book “Extraordinary X-Men,” penned by Eve Ewing and Carmen Carnero, three fresh mutants are introduced who have been mentored by Emma Frost, Kitty Pryde, and Iceman. One of the team members, the emotion manipulator Axo, has been feeling excluded and abused by Sheldon Xenos, a cunning tech-savvy mutant entrepreneur. The seventh issue escalates this situation, as Axo skips a training session with Frost, Pryde, and Iceman, causing a fuss when he later arrives. (SPOILER ALERT) Axo rushes back to Xenos, who reveals the purpose of his wealth generated from Verate app – a secret lab filled with scientific breakthroughs about emotions and genetics, hinting at something similar to Krakoan resurrection. However, Axo attempts to escape, only to find that the exit is locked with a biometric key. The situation grows increasingly unsettling as Xenos prevents Axo from leaving the lab. The climax unveils the true identity of Xenos – Mister Sinister.
Mister Sinister is a formidable adversary for the X-Men, often playing a pivotal role in their tales during the Krakoa era. His genetic archive played a crucial part in Krakoan resurrection, granting him a position on the ruling body of this mutant nation, the Quiet Council. Yet, Sinister’s self-centered nature led him to plot a takeover of Krakoa. Remarkably, his plan for control crumbled, not because it was flawed, but because he realized that the outcome would be dreadful. Although Sinister collaborated with the X-Men in defeating the Orchis Initiative, he vanished shortly thereafter and was believed to have perished.
So why is Sinister back for X-Men’s “From the Ashes” reboot, and what does he want?
Mister Sinister Seems to be Bringing Back Krakoan Resurrection for His Own Goals
Under an assumed identity of Xenos, Mister Sinister devised the Verate application to gain a new experience – understanding emotions. This app generated an emotional chart for users, which was stored in his private records. Sinister confides in Axo that this emotional chart is the most scientifically identifiable equivalent to the human spirit, explaining why he needs Axo’s help, as Axo possesses powers over emotions. During their discussion, Sinister subtly hints at something intriguing for Axo, suggesting that he can no longer feel anything, providing readers with another clue about his objectives.
It seems that Mister Sinister’s creation of a database containing “souls” strongly suggests an attempt at replicating the Krakoan resurrection process. Previously, Xavier compelled Sinister to gather a collection of mutant genetic data decades ago, which was one of the key components absent after Krakoa’s formation. The Verate app might serve as a means to restore his old library, but with souls instead, or Sinister could possess both the DNA library and utilize the Verate app in place of Hope Summers or Charles Xavier, who were responsible for embedding mutant memories into bodies created from Sinister’s genetic bank.
In the “Sins of Sinister” storyline during Krakoa’s era, Sinister managed to implant fragments of his DNA into those resurrected, giving him power over them. For years, Sinister ruled Earth and even the galaxy, until he lost control over the entire timeline, leading him to travel back in time with a new plan: to regain control, but this time through the character Avo. It’s possible that Sinister claiming he doesn’t feel emotions hints at this not being our familiar Mister Sinister, but one of the numerous clones created by the villain, perhaps serving as a backup or fail-safe measure.
Sinister’s Return Doesn’t Bode Well for the Exceptional X-Men
It could be argued that reintroducing Mister Sinister might not be the best decision, given his significant role as a primary antagonist in the recent X-Men era, particularly over the past three years, where he featured prominently in series like “Immortal X-Men,” “A.X.E.: Judgment Day,” “Sins of Sinister,” and “Fall of X.” With the Krakoa Era well underway, many X-Men fans have grown somewhat weary of this character, having encountered him frequently.
In a different phrasing, it appears that this latest storyline may be an expansion on Sinister’s previous schemes. Just as once a genie is freed from a lamp, they cannot be put back, so too might nuclear weapons and their capabilities. This same idea can be applied to Sinister and his role in Krakoan resurrection – having the power to revive people and control them to some extent, it’s logical for him to strive for perfection in this technology. Moreover, the intrigue deepens as we question if this is indeed our familiar Sinister or perhaps a clone or someone else entirely. The seventh issue of Exceptional X-Men introduces several compelling plot points that could lead to captivating stories ahead.
Exceptional X-Men #7 is on sale wherever comics are sold.
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2025-03-20 18:11