Towards the end of House of X #6, Jonathan Hickman’s latest entry in his “Two [X-Men] Series That Are One,” Charles Xavier delivers a rather eloquent monologue. In it, he laments the “distasteful…business of running the nation [of Krakoa]” which he founded. Yet he also expresses how his actions will ultimately lead to a better world for mutants. He, and other members of the “Quiet Council of Krakoa” must carry this “burden” for the sake of making that world possible. It’s a good speech. It also, uncoincidentally, the speech of every tyrant. It’s a speech that essentially says, “Do not condemn me for doing what I had to do for the sake of my country.”
It’s because of Xavier’s monologue, and what precedes it, that makes House of X #6 so controversial. Of course, you might say there’s nothing controversial about this issue at all. After all, the mutants, having set aside all their differences, have finally achieved peace and freed themselves from persecution. But if you think everything about Krakoa is all sunshine and rainbows, then you haven’t been reading closely.
On the surface, the comic’s plot seems simple. After a prologue showing Professor X’s worldwide telepathic broadcast from a month earlier, the main body of House of X #6 shows the establishment of the Quiet Council during the present day. The council members enact three laws of mutantdom: “Make more mutants,” “Murder no [humans],” and “Respect [the] sacred land [of Krakoa].” They also conduct a trial for Sabretooth for violating these laws, specifically his murdering humans during his covert mission to Damage Control. In the end, the inhabitants of Krakoa celebrate their independence with fireworks, song, dancing, lots of beer, and (presumably) getting busy making more mutants.
Everything, of course, looks bright and hopeful, especially when it comes to the art. During the victory celebration, Pepe Larraz, Marte Gracia, and David Curiel make sure to illustrate these scenes with breezy, fluid line work and vibrant colors. All the while, Hickman creates the impression that Xavier has finally achieved victory. All his sacrifices and machinations have turned enemies into allies, given his fellow mutants a home, and eventually a lasting peace. But if look deep enough, Hickman also shows not all is well in Xavier’s paradise.
Take Sabretooth’s so-called trial. Xavier claims all mutants are exempt from human law because of humans’ bias against mutants. But on Krakoa, the council prosecute and punish Sabretooth according to laws they only just enacted. Since the council act as judges, too, Sabretooth doesn’t have a jury of his peers. Nor do they allow him legal representation or to mount any sort of defense on his own behalf. Not to mention Sabretooth acted on Magneto’s orders, and that Mystique, who took part in that mission, is Sabretooth’s accomplice. Doesn’t matter if Sabretooth is an unrepentant killer. The way Hickman presents Krakoan justice, it seems more biased and unfair than the supposedly biased and unfair human justice.
Also, Apocalypse makes the case that, since Krakoa’s resurrection protocols make mutants practically immortal, a mutant cannot be punished for killing another mutant. This also raises another question Hickman doesn’t directly address. If mutants are now immortal, doesn’t that mean the current membership of the Quiet Council is permanent? The citizens of Krakoa didn’t choose who should sit on this council, either. After all, why have free elections if your leaders can literally live forever?
Thus what Hickman has done is a brilliant sleight of hand. Knowing full well we would instinctively sympathize with the X-Men, Hickman has tricked us into also sympathizing with a dictatorship build around racial superiority, Nietzschean philosophy, and a cult of personality. And if that description of Krakoa suspiciously sounds familiar, it should. That Xavier would also abandon his lifelong dream of peaceful coexistence between humans and mutants in favor of such a nation state should be all the more disconcerting.
Hickman also makes sure to highlight the contrasting personalities which make up Krakoa’s ruling body, too. With half of the council comprised of former X-Men villains, it’s a scenario rife for political tensions, in-fighting, and grandstanding. Even the villains don’t get along with each other. This is especially true when it comes to the cheeky Mister Sinister and the pompous Exodus, as Hickman brilliantly sets up their naked animosity towards each other.
Moreover, Larraz sprinkles in some juicy, visual clues as to what characters are really thinking behind the dialogue and narrative captions. No doubt the silent, knowing looks exchanged between Cyclops, Jean Grey and Emma Frost will be a hot topic among fans. Also, the image of Apocalypse by himself as the mutants celebrate should fill readers with a foreboding sense of dread. It’s why this comic, of all the House of X and Powers of X installments, can also boast some of the strongest, well-crafted characterization of the entire series.
There’s one other trick House of X #6 plays on us. It makes us believe it’s an ending. That is until we turn to the “Reading Order” page and see there’s one more issue left, highlighted in red. It’s those “red” issues that always contain a surprise, fundamentally upending all that we think we know. If it does reveal the shocking truth behind Professor X, Krakoa, it’s mutant drugs, and more, don’t despair if you feel deceived. As Hickman is pointing out, even the most benevolent dictator can seem likable.
Stillanerd’s Nerdy Nitpicks (with potential spoilers)
- Wait a second, Chuck? Wasn’t your twin sister, Cassandra Nova, who’s responsible for killing all 16 million mutants on Genosha? And isn’t she, like you, a mutant? Why are you accusing the humans of that specific genocide when they didn’t commit it?
- Also during the prologue, it’s rather interesting we never see Xavier’s face before putting on Cerebro. Just what are you hiding, comic?
- Hickman’s White Pages still redact the real name of the Quiet Council’s “Red King.” Though there are spoilers for who that person is already circulating the internet. Let’s just say King doesn’t necessarily mean the person is also male.
- Okay, Cyclops, Bishop, and Magik as the Council’s “Great Captains,” i.e. military commanders, makes sense. But Gorgon? A guy affiliated with The Hand, Hydra, and Norman Osborn’s Dark Avengers? A long-time enemy of Wolverine’s who also brainwashed him into attacking the Jean Grey School? That’s a rather unorthodox choice.
- “Tell us, Kurt…Where is your God’s wisdom?” Actually, Mystique, there’s a better question to ask your son. “Why are you, Nightcralwer, as a devout Catholic, totally on board with human cloning and worshiping your fellow mutants like gods? Don’t these violate the tenants of your faith?”
- “…you are exiled.” Oh, is that what you’re doing to Sabretooth, Chuck? Because it sure looks like imprisonment to me. Which you just said you don’t “tolerate on Krakoa” mere moments ago.
- Okay, Wolverine playing with kids in House of X #1 is one thing. Him acting all buddy buddy to Cyclops and then Gorgon? Something is definitely wrong with him.
- Hold up? There are two Krakoas?