X-Men: One Year Later, It’s Clear the Krakoa Era Was Way Better Than “From the Ashes”

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The X-Men enjoyed their peak popularity as the star comic book team until roughly the mid-2000s, when Marvel began focusing more on other titles within their collection instead of solely on X-Men stories. Yet, the devoted fans refused to let Marvel completely sideline the X-Men, even amidst a series of unlucky choices regarding the franchise. At one point, only 198 mutants remained. Later, mutants were unable to reside on Earth due to the Terrigen Mists contaminating the atmosphere and causing a disease called M-Pox. Marvel made numerous attempts to deter readers from X-Men comics, but the fans’ enthusiasm never waned. Then Disney acquired 20th Century Fox, marking a significant shift in everything.

After placing Jonathan Hickman on the X-Men comics, Marvel introduced the Krakoa Era, a five-year span that significantly differed from previous storylines. During this period, mutants established their own nation, which brought a fresh, invigorating vibe to the series. The X-Men books became top sellers once more, but this momentum was short-lived as Hickman departed. The Krakoa Era always had a conclusion, but Marvel took drastic measures. Now, almost everything associated with the Krakoa Era has been replaced, leaving a feeling of familiarity. The new status quo titled “From the Ashes” presented a fresh start, but it was more of a continuation than a true change. Initially, “From the Ashes” was successful, but less than a year later, things aren’t as promising. Essentially, “From the Ashes” fell short compared to the Krakoa Era.

The Power of Krakoa

The recently concluded X-Men crossover, “X-Manhunt”, fell flat and didn’t leave a lasting impact. This storyline lacked punch, although there were some standout issues like Uncanny X-Men #11 and X-Factor #8 that were excellent primarily due to their self-contained narratives rather than their connection to “X-Manhunt”. In comparison, the first crossover of the Krakoa Era, “X of Swords”, was less impressive, but still attracted a lot of enthusiasm. The storyline of “X of Swords” was not as strong as its successors, but it had an unique appeal that drew fans in. Unfortunately, anticipation for “X-Manhunt” was low; there wasn’t much excitement for the initial crossover of “From the Ashes” because it failed to capture reader interest.

The Krakoa Era was groundbreaking, and Marvel cleverly tapped into a sense of nostalgia by resurrecting titles from classic X-Men series such as “Fallen Angels” and “X-Terminators”. However, the Krakoa Era ventured into uncharted territories, setting up its own government and offering an intriguing political drama. The era also brought back beloved mutant characters who had previously perished, giving significance to characters like Destiny and Mister Sinister. Moreover, the storylines were captivating, with notable titles such as Hickman’s “X-Men”, Wells’s “Hellions”, Gillen’s “Immortal X-Men”, Ewing’s “SWORD/X-Men Red”, anything penned by Si Spurrier, most of Duggan’s “Marauders” (though it did lose its luster towards the end), Ayala’s “New Mutants”, and even Percy’s “Wolverine” and “X-Force” standing out as some of the best X-Men stories in years. Admittedly, not all books within the Krakoa Era were equally impressive – “X-Corp” was dismal – but even lesser-popular series like the Captain Britain books had a dedicated fanbase.

Enthusiasts of X-Men comics are deeply invested in the series, which is why they were so invigorated by the Krakoa Era. As a longtime fan myself, I’ve been with the franchise since its early days and have experienced it through all its ups and downs. Over the years, I’ve read numerous types of X-Men stories, but the Krakoa Era provided me with something that I hadn’t encountered in quite some time: innovative narratives. The X-Men had not felt this rejuvenated for many years since Morrison’s New X-Men, and it was refreshing to see mutants regaining their prominence once more. It is suggested that “From the Ashes” is easier for newcomers to read; it presents a familiar status quo that viewers of X-Men ’97 can easily follow. However, there’s not much incentive for new readers to dive into any of the books, as they don’t offer anything particularly engaging or unique – just more of the same stories.

The Krakoa period, in its own way, consistently provided an intriguing experience for readers. It seemed as though the creators were dedicated to providing fresh perspectives and new journeys for the characters. Although the Krakoa Era sometimes fell short, it was undeniably unique. No situation is flawless; even the most skilled writers can produce stories that don’t resonate with fans. However, it was refreshing to witness such audacity in the X-Men comics, following years of repetitive storylines that seemed to repeatedly diminish the X-Men. That audacious spirit was the driving force behind the Krakoa Era’s success.

“From the Ashes” Can’t Match the Novelty of the Krakoa Era

The closing phase of the Krakoa Era turned out to be quite a messy affair. Marvel opted to shorten the intended narrative by half a year, hastening the transition to their fresh start, aiming for that lucrative sales surge associated with reboots. Although the conclusion of Krakoa didn’t receive the same adoration as its inception, it did provide readers with something new. However, “From the Ashes” seems reluctant to embrace new concepts; it appears Brevoort might be losing touch with the fanbase.

In my opinion, the series ‘From the Ashes’ features some truly captivating books that are definitely worth a read; among them are ‘Uncanny X-Men’ and ‘Storm’. These stand out as Marvel’s finest non-Ultimate offerings. However, nothing else in the line can match up to Krakoa, which feels like a breath of fresh air compared to the stale atmosphere that has been lingering since the ’90s. While Krakoa wasn’t a string of blockbusters, it did something remarkable – it put the X-Men back at the forefront of superhero discussions on the shelves. Unfortunately, ‘From the Ashes’ has lost its spark and won’t regain it, whereas Krakoa will produce stories that are destined to be remembered as the greatest X-Men tales ever told.

Keen on delving deeper into the X-Men’s Krakoa Era, “From the Ashes”, and related topics? Let’s engage in exciting discussions together! Find me at crustyoldfan.bsky.social.

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2025-03-30 19:10