Review by Karl Verhoven

Ever since the X-Men’s world was rebooted in 2019 plotlines have spread over half a dozen titles at a time, and an overall editorial choice is a threat given significance in one series being dealt with in another. Should you be a reader of the second series, but not the first, with luck there will be some reference or explanation, usually on the text page. However, all too often that doesn’t happen, and with the Hellfire Gala now instituted as an annual publication, it’s a prime offender. Gerry Duggan writes the complicated lead story, and anyone who’s not been keeping up with his X-Men title is rapidly going to fall behind as the plot flits around assorted people who have assorted antagonisms with no background to them.

Briefly, humanity has learned that mutants have conquered death via resurrection, despite being a member of the Quiet Council Mr Sinister is plotting against mutants, and Moira McTaggart, not seen since House of X/Powers of X, is back. Although it might not seem that way at first, she’s the greatest problem, and the thread connecting most parts of this anthology. Another matter under consideration is the choice of a new X-Men team, but for the most part it’s heavy on building the future without entertaining in the present. A highlight? Duggan writes a good Tony Stark, sleazy, confident and provocative. “Tell Reed Richards I said hello”, is a barb aimed at Emma Frost about mindwipes, “Be sure to introduce yourself. There’s no telling what he remembers”.

Four artists work on the long opening sequence, Russell Dauterman by some distance the best, while sloppiness is evident on too many pages not drawn by him, starting with women who have footballs for breasts. The sample art is by Patrick Gleason from an issue of Spider-Man of all places, as Spider-Man and Wolverine try to save Mary Jane Watson, and all things considered Zeb Wells and Gleason provide the highlight of a variable collection. It’s creatively satisfying and builds to an ending that’s emotionally strong whether or not you’ve been keeping up with Spider-Man’s life of late.

Assorted obscure mutants feature in background strips created by Steve Foxe and Alan Robinson for digital presentation, making their recalibration for physical print compromised. It’s a fun story introducing a new threat and spotlighting some forgotten potential.

If only that were the case for the closing sequence about the Secret X-Men. Trini Howard dumps readers into the middle of something that needs a lot more explanation than she provides. She may know all the character notes, but without any explanation there’s some pretty random behaviour in Sunspot fooling the Shi’ar Deathbird into believing he leads the X-Men. It looks pretty good as drawn by Francesco Mobili, but doesn’t live up to the art.

All in all, this is likely to disappoint all but the most avid reader of the X-Men related series.