REVIEW: ‘X-Men: Hellfire Vigil’ Issue 1

X-Men Hellfire Vigil Issue 1 is published by Marvel Comics. It’s a big issue featuring the creative teams from all the X-Titles over the past year.

Pages 1-5 are written by Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly, with art by Javier Garrón. Pages 6-8, 14-16 and 46-51 are written by Jed Mackay with art by Netho Diaz and Sean Parsons. Pages 9-13 are written by Stephanie Phillips with art by Roi Mercado. Pages 17-21 are written by Geoffrey Thorne with art by Marcus To. Pages 22-26 are written by Gail Simone with art by Luciano Vecchio.

In the second half of X-Men Hellfire Vigil Issue 1, pages 27-32 are written by Eve L. Ewing with art by Federica Mancin. Pages 33-34 are written by Alex Paknadel with art by Declan Shalvey. Pages 35-40 are written by Jason Loo with art by Sara Pichelli. Pages 41-45 are written by Murewa Ayodele and Vecchio, with colors by Fer Sifuentes-Sujo and letters by Travis Lanham.

In X-Men Hellfire Vigil Issue 1, mutants from across the universe gather in Chicago and New York for a celebration and memorial to the loss of Krakoa and the many mutants that died in its fall.  This is a massive comic, bringing together an entire era of X-Men comics and ideas. There’s a fantastic concept: mutants gathering in locations for a vigil.

The emotion is high from the beginning, with tension and suspicion permeating every segment of X-Men Hellfire Vigil Issue 1. These scenes aren’t just chapters; there is a seamless transition from one story to another as mutants either arrive at the vigil or talk about whether they’re going or not. Some segments are conversations, others are a dance, and others are much more hostile.

At first, it seems like the comic is based solely on the energy and themes of NYX, discussing community, but X-Men Hellfire Vigil Issue 1 evolves over time. The pace is slow but contemplative, taking time to check in on characters. It jumps not just between the two celebration sites, but across the world and the larger universe. There are mutants everywhere, just trying to survive.

X-Men Hellfire Vigil Issue 1 checks in on all of the storylines and series that began with From the Ashes. Some are still going, so it serves as an aside from their regular adventures and battles. Others have since ended, allowing those who loved those comics and the creators to check in and see what’s happened since. The mutant world is just as busy without Krakoa, but there’s even more danger. The spectre of Graymalkin and the Sentinels still hangs over the book, as does Cassandra Nova.

There is a plethora of mutants that appear in the mega-sized one-shot, from across the universe, from the flagship X-Men books to X-Force to NYX to the various solo series. With all the writers returning, it allows for many voices to be heard and have their say. The characters don’t get the chance to blend in and become part of a big crowd, because there is a focus on the individuals. There’s such a variety of emotions experienced by all.

Cyclops and Kitty Pryde do not attend, due to their anger and grief. They have lost so much, and so many, and Scott sees the constant war going on, taking it all on his shoulders. He’s a general and has no time for a party. Whilst Kitty grieves, she prefers to be on her own. Others choose to use the time to catch up with old friends and family. Colossus and Magik get to spend time together after being separated across the series. Similarly, it allows for plotlines to advance where they couldn’t in individual comics.

There is a particular focus on the blossoming romance between Ransom and Temper. It’s flirty and tender and lovely, but they live thousands of miles apart. For the young Outliers, this is a coming-of-age story. They’re still new to the world of mutants, and big occasions like that give them a chance to mingle.

There are some beautiful, heartfelt moments across the X-Men Hellfire Vigil Issue 1. Dazzler gets to sing, but she is also a voice of resistance. The absence of X-Factor is unusual, especially not even a mention of Angel or Havok, but that doesn’t detract enormously from the rest of the fantastic story. To give an analogy, a band may be missing an instrument, and it’s noticeable it’s not there, but that doesn’t make the rest of the music feel empty. It does, however, spark curiosity as to the omission.

The art is a smorgasbord of stunning scenarios. There’s a mixture of things to find. These aren’t all the specific artists that were found in the original series, but all of the artists are incredible. There are blurry, busy, bustling crowd scenes filmed with cameos, as well as quiet moments of solitude and sadness. Around the vigil, people have come to pay their respects. So, like the Hellfire Galas in the Krakoan Age, there’s a focus on fashion. The dresses and suits are gorgeous, each one made to fit the specific characters.

It shows off the beauty of the characters. The dancing and small movements of intimacy are welcome and emotional. However, in the middle of X-Men Hellfire Vigil Issue 1, a scene emerges that becomes violent and grungy. The terrifying Wolfpack Sentinels, as previously seen in both Uncanny X-Men and Sentinels, are sent after mutants. It becomes a vicious fight, contrasting with a musical spectacle by Dazzler. And the end of the issue gets nasty as horrific villains reveal themselves.

The colors are immaculate. Using the same colourist throughout the entire one-shot creates a consistency across the pages. Most of the outfits are monochromatic, with a large emphasis on black. But there is still vibrancy and life in the colors, as Dazzler puts on a light show. The other figure that brings their own tone is Phoenix. Whenever Jean appears, she generates that intense orange, cosmic flame that radiates her majesty and insurmountable power. The lettering is also consistent and very easy to read from start to finish.

X-Men Hellfire Vigil Issue 1 carries on the legacy of Krakoa. The comic, featuring a diverse array of creators and characters, showcases the ongoing connectivity that is present in this new era of X-Men. Whether the individual stories continue or not, they remain and still matter to the grand plot that’s being unveiled. But it also remembers how impactful Krakoa was, keeping the tradition of a big occasion like this to sum up and catch up.

X-Men Hellfire Vigil Issue 1 is warm, engaging, and expansive. There’s a delicacy to the dialogue and details in the drawings that show every mutant’s individuality. For as separated as the Krakoans now are, they will always have moments like these to look back on.

X-Men Hellfire Vigil Issue 1 is available where comics are sold.