This Underrated X-Team Could Be the Key to the X-Men’s Future

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The X-Men comics are currently facing some challenges. While the House of X/Powers of X storyline was a massive success six years ago, and the subsequent Krakoa Era was incredibly popular, all good things eventually come to an end. Many fans felt the Krakoa Era had run its course, so there was a sense of relief when it concluded. Marvel invested heavily in the new direction for the X-Men, bringing in veteran editor Tom Brevoort and promoting the books extensively. However, the results have been mixed – some titles have been excellent, others just okay, and some haven’t resonated with readers. This has created a divide among fans, and Marvel now needs to find a way to recapture their interest.

A key success of the Krakoa era was its ability to revitalize classic characters by presenting them in fresh and unexpected ways. This approach worked particularly well, and a prime example is the critically acclaimed X-Men series, Hellions. The 18-issue run focused on a compelling team of heroes and villains, united by their service to Krakoa and grappling with their personal demons through conflict. It was a truly excellent series and exactly the kind of innovative boost the X-Men line needed.

Hellions Was an Awesome Concept that Paid Dividends for Numerous Characters

When it launched in 2020, Hellions turned out to be a standout title in the Krakoa era. Initially, the team seemed like a mismatched group tackling a concept already explored by X-Force. However, the addition of Mister Sinister created a uniquely chaotic dynamic. It was this unpredictable energy that made Hellions special and brought something fresh to the entire series.

Getting the right team together was key. Sinister was enjoying a resurgence in popularity during the Krakoa era, and this series showcased some of his best work. Psylocke acted as the grounded center of the group, trying to manage a team of unpredictable characters. Several members were struggling with personal issues: Havok was questioning his identity which impacted his abilities, Greycrow was grappling with being a duplicate, and Wild Child had seriously backslid. Empath was intentionally causing drama, while Nanny and Orphan-Maker continued their eccentric behavior. Despite all these seemingly mismatched pieces, the combination worked surprisingly well.

The book featured typical X-Men storylines – villains like Madelyne Pryor and the Marauder clones, the complex events of “X of Swords,” and threats from Mastermind, Arcade, Tarn the Uncaring, and the Right. But what really stood out was how well the story developed the characters and explored their relationships. It offered a fresh perspective on that period in X-Men history and allowed for deeper dives into characters we rarely get to see. Fans loved it, and nothing quite like it has appeared since. Each issue was unpredictable, but consistently high quality.

The recent ‘From the Ashes’ series was inconsistent – while some books were solid and typical for the time, it lacked surprises. ‘Shadows of Tomorrow’ seems to be continuing that trend, and that’s a major issue with this period of X-Men comics. We need a book that breaks the mold and offers something truly unexpected. Hellions was great because it was unpredictable and focused on character development rather than just plot twists, taking readers on a thrilling journey. The X-Men line needs more books like that – a standout title that’s genuinely surprising and introduces exciting new characters.

A Hellions-Style Book Would Shake the X-Books Out of the Doldrums

The Hellions comic series brilliantly combined compelling anti-heroes and bizarre villains, resulting in a refreshingly unpredictable read. Issue #12, featuring the Hellfire Gala, was a standout highlight of the entire Krakoa era – a fun, lighthearted story that didn’t take itself too seriously, while still delivering strong character development. It embodied everything fans want from an X-Men comic and offered something the current X-books seem to be lacking.

The comic Hellions was a breath of fresh air, and that’s precisely what the X-Men line needs right now. While titles like Uncanny X-Men, X-Men, and Exceptional X-Men deliver what fans expect, and upcoming books like X-Men United will likely follow suit, we need something different. Hellions took an unlikely group of characters and created a surprisingly compelling team. It was energetic and unexpected, offering a chaotic energy that the X-Men comics desperately need at this moment.

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2025-12-07 21:12