It has been almost a year since the tragic conclusion to theiconic First Krakoan Ageof theX-Menin the momentousX-Men(2021) #35, a story that led directly into the mutant’s newestFrom the Ashesera. Much of the X-Men’s current comics deal with mutantkind moving forward from Krakoa, but there is one part of the beloved Krakoan Age that must live on…The Hellfire Gala!
The first Hellfire Gala was held by the mutant nation of Krakoa in 2021,acting as a diplomatic event that also showed off mutant fashion and innovation, hosted by Emma Frost. While thefan-favorite Hellfire Galahappened two more times, there have been no hints that it may continue in some form inFrom the Ashes.
The line of X-Books at Marvel right now is massive, from solo titles likeStormandPhoenixto team books likeUncanny X-MenandX-Men, buttwo things that mutant-focused titles are currently lacking are joy and spectacle, things thatthe Hellfire Galabrought in droves for three straight years (mixed with plenty of tragedy and drama, of course).
Marvel To Host First Real-Life X-Men Hellfire Gala At SDCC 2023
Marvel has announced that as part of SDCC 2023, D23 will host the first ever real-life X-Men Hellfire Gala, bringing Krakoa to California.
The X-Men Need The Hellfire Gala Now More Than Ever
The mutants of Earth need joy and hope
The X-Men’s war with Orchis ended with the mutants “winning,” defeating most of the Orchis organization and taking down the Enigma Dominion, but mutantkind’s future was still changed forever. Even though the nation of Krakoa is still alive and well in the White Hot Room,mutants on Earth are still experiencing the same hate and fear they have for decades. The X-Men are scattered - to Chicago, New Orleans, Alaska, and beyond - and have several times fought each other inFrom the Ashes, instead of focusing on their true enemies. Krakoa was such a beautiful place because it created true mutant community for years, offering a place for past sins to be washed away, while new bonds could be forged.
“Rage & Despair”: X-Men’s Hellfire Gala Massacre Makes Professor X the New Apocalypse
Mutant history doesn’t repeat, but it does rhyme. With the Fall of X, Charles Xavier now finds himself in a role once filled by Apocalypse.
The iconic Hellfire Gala perfectly represented these new efforts, showing the mutants of Earth in a fabulous, but not perfect, light. The first annual Hellfire Gala led intoGiant-Size X-Men,which revealed the terraforming of Mars into Arakko, one of the biggest accomplishments from the Krakoan Era. The event also allowed other super hero teams, from the Avengers to The Fantastic Four, to mingle with mutants and politicians, encouraging human heroes to support mutantkind even though it might not be “their fight.“Plus, the Gala was filled with joy, and offered Marvel a way to show intense action but also small moments of wonder and intrigue, bringing fans of the X-Men together to discuss the epic annual event that was the Hellfire Gala.
The Last Hellfire Gala Ended In Disaster, It Must Be Avenged
But how exactly could a Gala happen post-Krakoa?
The 3rd and final Hellfire Gala happened in 2023 and was the beginning of the end for the Krakoan Era, withOrchis attacking the event and killing numerous humans and mutants. This was the start of the Orchis War, a truly devastating and depressing time for mutants and fans of the X-Men. Although the X-Men technically won in the end, the beloved Gala has forever been marred by the violence and horror done by Orchis. It would go an incredibly long way in healing the trauma of Krakoa ending if the mutants of Earth were able to gather to celebrate their history, and hope for their future.
X-Men Hellfire Gala Shows How Queer Friendly Marvel Has Become
The X-Men are back at the Hellfire Gala again, and this year’s party reminds readers just how queer friendly Marvel Comics has become in recent years.
Of course, Krakoa is no more, and mutantkind are scattered, so a new Hellfire Gala would need to look very different. One option would be for the powerful psychics of the world - like Jean, Quentin, Kwannon, Emma - to create a psychic space where mutants could join and party psychically, from the safety of wherever they are in the world (or universe!). Another potential plan could beto host the event on Arakko, the mutant planet that still very much exists, but has seen absolutely zero exploration of its post-Krakoa existence. Either of these options would be a lovely way for the mutant diaspora to connect, and feel in synch once again.
X-Men
The X-Men franchise, created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, centers on mutants with extraordinary abilities. Led by the powerful telepath Professor Charles Xavier, they battle discrimination and villainous mutants threatening humanity. The series explores themes of diversity and acceptance through a blend of action, drama, and complex characters, spanning comics, animated series, and blockbuster films.
Bringing back the annual Hellfire Gala would be great for the mutants of Earth, bringing them closer together after months of tragedy, but it would also be great forX-Menfans,many of whom are still saddened by the “broken” nature of mutantkind and would appreciate a more joy-filled moment amidst the constant heartbreak.
