Marvel Comics: 11 major moments comic book fans should know about (February)
By Mark Lynch
6. The Marauders, Symbiotes, and Hank McCoy
Comic book: Marauders: King in Black
The mission was straightforward, but it was far from simple. The Marauders were sent to retrieve Cyclops and Storm from the clutches of the Knull’s symbiotes. Along the way, however, they come across a ship being attacked by Knull’s dragons. Of course, Kitty wouldn’t leave without helping. After defeating the dragons, they find something nefarious – the ship was trafficking people. The Marauders saved the day and the innocent people were given asylum on a Krakoan island.
Afterwards, we find out that Beast is still being secretive as he gave Bishop orders that the rest of the Marauders didn’t know about. He had told Bishop that if they couldn’t free Storm and Cyclops one way, free them in another, subtextually suggesting that he should kill them if it came to that.
Why is this important?
First, Krakoa is going to get some amazing press. There are plenty of stories out there painting mutants in a bad light but this won’t be one of them. Magneto asked one of the refugees to make sure that the world knew of Krakoa’s mercy and now they undoubtedly will. And you can rest assured that writer Gerry Duggan will undoubtedly bring this plot thread up again in a future issue.
Now, we have Hank McCoy. His order to Bishop to kill Storm and Cyclops if he had to wasn’t shocking. Beast’s morals and actions have been questionable for years. When Kitty finds out what he asked Bishop, however, she will bring it to the Quiet Council. Even with the resurrection protocols, Kitty won’t condone the murder of her friends.