REVIEW: ‘Immortal X-Men’, Issue #6

Immortal X-Men #6 is written by Kieron Gillen, illustrated by Lucas Wernerck, colored by David Curiel, and lettered by VC’s Clayton Cowles. It’s published by Marvel Comics. “The Devil’s Party” takes place after the events of A.X.E.: Judgment Day #3, as the Quiet Council begins to face the Progenitor’s judgment. Among the members who are judged include Sebastian Shaw, who’s butted heads with the other Council members—most notably Emma Frost. As Shaw faces his judgment, he ruminates on his past and the events that made him into the man he is today.

In my previous reviews of Immortal X-Men and Judgement Day, I mentioned that Gillen’s writing often touches on matters of faith. Often, those matters involve actual faith, especially where a mutant like Exodus is concerned. But in Shaw’s case, he’s placed his faith in material goods and profit. As the issue goes on, it’s revealed that his father was a ruthless businessman, which explains Shaw’s own ruthlessness in forming the Hellfire Club. And even as the world teeters on the brink of armageddon, that self-preservation is on full display. Out of all the writers on the X-Men titles, I can safely say that Gillen has the best handle on the merry mutants and what makes them tick.

This issue also sees the return of Wernerck, after Michele Bandini illustrated the previous two issues. Like Bandini and A.X.E. artist Valerio Schiti, Werenerck ups his art to apocalyptic proportions. The sequence where various heroes confront the Progenitor in A.X.E. #3 is given a new, horrific perspective from Jean Grey’s psychic viewpoint. Fire swallows up the Earth, filling the page and leaving a foreboding feeling in the pit of the reader’s stomach.

And the Progenitor is unforgiving when passing its judgment, as it appears in the form of the judged’s loved ones and enemies. For Destiny, it’s her own wife Mystique, and for Shaw, well, that’s a surprise. But I commend Werneck for leaning into the horror element of this premise, particularly where the Progenitor-as-Mystique is confirmed. She’s half-shifted into the massive Celestial, blue flesh giving way to cold alien steel, and the cold judgment of the Progenitor, delivered in bold letters from Cowles.

But what really makes Wernerck’s art horrific is the color work from Curiel. Dark reds and shadows permeate the pages, giving off an apocalyptic look. In perhaps one of the most haunting images, Emma Frost is shown weeping, surrounded by all of her mutant students who perished on Genosha. The pale white of her costume provides an unsettling contrast with the blood red filter that covers all of the dead students. Compare that to most of Shaw’s scenes: the Black King of the Hellfire Club is often surrounded by blacks and greys that not only match his impeccably sharp suits but also his outlook on life.

Immortal X-Men #6 continues to explore the nature of faith, as Judgement Day rages on and Sebastian Shaw seeks to gain the upper hand. The next issue looks to put its focus on Nightcrawler, and that’ll be an interesting read. After all, who knows more about keeping faith in the face of impossible odds than Kurt Wagner?

Immortal X-Men #6 is available wherever comics are sold and on ComiXology with our affiliate link.