Powers Of X #5
More of the building blocks of Krakoa are revealed in Powers Of X #5, by writer Jonathan Hickman, artist R.B. Silva, colorist Marte Gracia, and letterer Clayton Cowles. As usual in this book, the story moves between times, shedding light on how things on Krakoa works. Not all parts of the story are of equal quality, though.
In X-Men Year One, Xavier goes to Forge with an idea to expand on Cerebro’s functions using Shi’Ar technology. In Year Ten, months before the present-day events presented in House Of X, Xavier and Magneto offer Emma Frost a place in the Krakoan government for help selling Krakoan drugs. In the present, Namor rejects Xavier’s offer to come to Krakoa. In the Year One Thousand, the Phalanx decide the fate of Earth.
Hickman uses this issue to give more background on Krakoan society. It’s pretty expert world-building, really. Having Forge help perfect the mind downloading abilities of Cerebro makes perfect sense. Because of his powers, and the use of Shi’Ar tech is another nice little touch, seeing as how the relationship between mutants and Shi’Ar has always been strong. Getting Emma Frost back in the fold is very important. She’s the current head of the Hellfire Club and has the connections to get the Krakoan drug out there. However, Hickman adds to it by having Xavier request she brings in Sebastian Shaw for those times when the drugs have to be brought to places where the government is resistant to them. The last issue of House Of X, showed Xavier willing to work with his enemies to build his new mutant homeland. This issue shows that wasn’t the first time he’s done it. The only person to reject Xavier’s offer is Namor, and his reasoning is simple. He’s always known he’s better than everyone else, but he doesn’t think that Xavier thinks the same of himself and mutants. Namor’s thing has always been in his belief in his own superiority. He believes that Xavier is putting on a show and won’t join Krakoa until Xavier proves otherwise. It’s great to see Hickman working with Namor again. He has an understanding of the character that a lot of other writers lack- Namor is the ultimate egotist, but he isn’t wrong about his superiority. It will be interesting to see how things play out with him in the future.
As usual in Powers Of X, the weakest part of the book in the Year One Thousand stuff. The Phalanx decides to assimilate the Earth, and its people, not just their tech like they usually would and Nimrod explains to the Librarian what that will entail. He also goes into what he suspects is the nature of the Phalanx and how they are related to black holes. It’s all very interesting stuff but doesn’t fit with anything else. Hickman is known for embracing sci-fi concepts in his works, and this is definitely some high concept sci-fi. But how he’s going to relate this to the present-day X-Men is anyone’s guess. He does throw in some intriguing little secrets, though, using Nimrod to talk about the Phalanx’s masters and exactly what they are going to do to Earth. Which brings to mind another big Marvel villain who has never really been related to the X-Men at all.
R.B. Silva’s art is exquisite. While his character work is great, the parts of his art that really shine are the backgrounds, especially the Krakoan ones. There’s a page with Emma Frost looking out over Krakoa that’s just breathtaking. Later on, when Xavier is summoning the villains to Krakoa, he really captures how alien the landscape of the island can be. It’s made all the better by Marte Gracia’s amazing colors. Gracia is definitely the MVP of this book and House Of X. He knows when to use bright and muted colors and sets the scenes perfectly.
Powers Of X #5 establishes and sets up a multitude of ideas. From explaining how Cerebro’s new mind downloading ability works. To the Krakoan Quiet Council and it’s governing powers. To Namor and his doubt in Xavier’s motives compared to his actions. Hickman is planting seeds that will grow into something great. The Year One Thousand stuff is interesting, but what that seed will grow into is anyone’s guess. Silva and Gracia provide the high-quality images the story needs to work. With one more issue left, it’s anyone guess where Hickman is going to go with this book and that’s the biggest strength.