Marvel is kicking off their 2024 by beginning the end of the X-Men’s Krakoa Era. This is an end that the entire X-Men staff have been building last. It was kicked into overdrive with the latest Mutant Massacre that occurred during 2023 Hellfire Gala. With the Fall of X we saw all of the remaining mutants spread across the universe dealing with the Orchis threat in different ways. That threat continues on into the ‘Fall of the House of X’ by Gerry Duggan and Lucas Werneck and ‘Rise of the Powers of X’ by Kieron Gillen and R.B. Silva creating the latest X-Men event. Let’s find out how it the end of the Krakoa Era begins with Fall of the House of X #1.
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Gerry Duggan
Artist: Lucas Werneck
Colorist: Bryan Valenza
Letterer: Travis Lanham
SOLICITATION
“KRAKOA HAS JUST BEGUN TO FIGHT! Mutantkind has never had a greater fall. From the highs of Krakoa—their own glorious nation, a place where they were safe and happy—to the lowest of lows. Outlawed, hunted, killed, most of their kind missing or dead, and now, one their greatest leaders, Cyclops, is on trial facing a death penalty.
Ready or not, the time has come for the X-Men to make their final stand against the forces that have struck them low. The day is now. The place is here. The tale of the house Xavier built will long be told…and few will forget this darkest chapter.
From writer Gerry Duggan (X-MEN, MARAUDERS, UNCANNY AVENGERS) and artist Lucas Werneck (IMMORTAL X-MEN, X-MEN: THE TRIAL OF MAGNETO) comes half of the story that will bring the Krakoa Age to its conclusion!” – Marvel Comics
REVIEW
Fall of the House of X #1 is not a game changing start for the latest X-Men event. More than anything this is a collection of angles that summarizes the state of the X-Men during the Fall of X. There is nothing big that happens here that will keep you guessing. Its just a table setter for what will hopefully be a good meal.
The big thing Fall of the House of X #1 is centered around is the “Trial of Cyclops.” Cyclops has been Orchis prisoner since the end of the 2023 Hellfire Gala. During that time Dr. Stasis has led Cyclops torture, include surgically shutting Scott Summers eyes shut. In terms of emotional stakes it certainly makes sense the X-Men would dedicate whoever they can to save their leader. In his own way, Cyclops acts as a rallying cry for the X-Men and their allies
Though this is where one of the biggest disconnects takes place in Fall of the House of X #1. Rather than continuing the Cyclops vs Dr. Stasis storyline Duggan brings back Dr. Alia Gregor. While Duggan does make a case for why Dr. Gregor would be leading things for Orchis it’s a last-minute change that had zero build up. There is no connection the reader has to Dr. Gregor since she has been a non-factor within Orchis as an organization.
Up to this point Dr. Stasis, Moira Mactaggert, Feilong, and Omega Sentinel have all been put over as the ones leading Orchis. Dr. Stasis even made the grand speech after the horrific events of the 2023 Hellfire Gala. It would’ve made much more sense for Dr. Stasis to continue to take pleasure in Cyclops downfall as a call back to Mr. Sinister as a villain. But instead Duggan forces Dr. Gregor in this spot that just does not work to give the weight the Trial of Cyclops scene should have.
Where Fall of the House of X #1 does succeed is showing the desperation of the X-Men. Saving Cyclops is very symbolic that the war between Orchis and the X-Men is not over. While Orchis is celebrating they won their war against Krakoa they failed to see how they haven’t extinguished the flame that drives the mutants. More than ever the X-Men are motivated to take down Orchis for what they’ve done to all mutants.
Adding in how the Avengers and other allies have the X-Men back this time around helps show how driven the remaining mutants are. Even when their plan to rescue Cyclops at the start of the trial fails they quickly adjusted to show that they are looking at the bigger war against Orchis. This does give us a good idea that what the X-Men can take the most advantage of is Orchis overconfidence. In this way the two have switch sides in the conflict that does provide plenty of questions for what will happen next.
Lucas Werneck artwork was solid throughout Fall of the House of X #1. It did lack something when it comes to making this feel like a big event. This more so felt like a regular issue of X-Men. Though when it did come to action sequences Werneck was at his best. What we saw in terms of action does have me looking forward to when Werneck has extended fights to choreograph.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Fall of the House of X #1 is a by the book start to an X-Men event. The stakes are made clear as the X-Men fight for the survival of mutants against Orchis. Though several questionable story and character choices left this start with a lot to be desired. Hopefully future issues of this and Rise of the Powers of X pick up the pace of this end to the Krakoa Era.
Story Rating: 5 Night Girls out of 10
Art Rating: 6 Night Girls out of 10
Overall Rating: 5.5 Night Girls out of 10