These comic book moments are among the most important in the month of December.
You’d think that the comic book news would slow down towards the end of the year. But instead of shelves being full of holiday stories, we got crucial comic book moments.
Mayor Wilson Fisk officially outlawed superheroes in New York in Devil’s Reign. We found out who killed the Scarlet Witch in X-Men: The Trial of Magneto. And in Avengers No. 50, a new era for Earth’s Mightiest Heroes began. Those are only a few newsworthy moments. Here are six more that must be mentioned.
6. Abigail Brand works for Orchis
Comic book: S.W.O.R.D. No. 6
In issue No. 1 of S.W.O.R.D. Abigail Brand said that she doesn’t think like an Earther. She’s a spacer and spacers think in solar systems. In the most recent issue, Brand tricked Henry Peter Gyrich. Before she killed him, she made her intentions clear. She said she has no problem letting Orchis take out Krakoa. In fact, she said it needs to happen soon.
Why is this important?
Since the moment we met Abigail Brand (see Astonishing X-Men for that) she’s hated the way people on Earth run space protection programs. Clearly, this hasn’t changed. She’s never cared about mutants. And this isn’t her being a triple agent. Brand will be working for a group that’s actively looking to abolish mutants. Unless someone finds out what she’s up to, Orchis will have someone who can report to them on what mutants are doing.
5. Marcus, Saya, and the Kenji
Comic book: Deadly Class No. 49
It’s the year 2001. Saya’s brother (and head of the Yakuza, Kenji) still wants his sister murdered. Not only does Kenji want her dead, though, he wants her to suffer first. His plan is to have her built up, clean from drugs, and then killed at her happiest. The person who can do that is someone who she trusts. It looks like the person to do it is Marcus. He was the one who found her and got her clean.
After Saya got the drugs out of her system, the two talked in a diner. Soon after, they went back to his place and slept together. During it, however, she had him at gunpoint. Before the issue ends, we see that Saya’s brother is watching. What looked like a tool to add danger to sex could actually be Saya threatening Marcus.
Why is this important?
Saya is far from foolish. She knew Marcus was working for someone. He avoided answering the questions when she asked. This must have made her suspicious. Saya could have slept with Marcus to get him to admit to what he was doing. However, we don’t know if Marcus is the one that Kenji hired, if Marcus told Saya what’s going on, or if he planned to go through with it at all.
4. Lex Luthor buys Batman Inc.
Comic book: Batman No. 118
Bruce Wayne’s funds have been vastly diminished since the end of Joker War. Not having his mansion and his tech is one thing, but things have gotten worse: He’s lost Batman Inc. A company Bruce started to protect people around the world.
After his former operatives killed Abyss, Batman went to the crime scene to figure out why. Before the investigation could truly begin, he was approached by Lex Luthor, who claimed he was there to protect his investment. Yes, he’s the new owner of Batman Inc.
Why is this important?
Sometimes Lex Luthor wants to help people (even if his motives are selfish). Other times he’s trying to kill Superman or take over the world or multiverse. This is going to be no different. We don’t know if Lex is actually trying to help or ruin Batman’s name. This writer would bet the former due to Lex’s jealousy. He’d want to prove that he could do a better job with the Batman name than the actual Dark Knight.
3. Catwoman VS her daughter
Comic book: Batman/Catwoman No. 9
After her husband Bruce Wayne died, Selina Kyle (a.k.a. Catwoman) took a trip to kill The Joker (Batman/Catwoman No. 1) – taking care of something many thought was long overdue. As the Batman/Catwoman comic book continues, we see that Catwoman had a long history with the Clown Prince of Crime. This helps readers understand why Catwoman killed Joker. It was more than just what he did as a criminal. It was personal.
Days after killing him, Selina was arrested by Commissioner Dick Grayson and the Gotham City Police Department. After getting released (or escaping), she went to The Penguin to get out of Gotham. Instead of helping her, however, he contacted the new protector of Gotham City, Batwoman – who is also the daughter of Catwoman and Batman.
Why is this important?
There’s going to be a fight coming between mother and daughter in the next issue and readers shouldn’t be shocked. Selina isn’t going to jail quietly, even if it means fighting her daughter. Some might assume a younger hero being involved could make this is a quick fight. Not in this case. Selina is still dangerous. Since she’s older, she may have some new tricks. Regardless, this will be a memorable fight. A perfect way to start 2022.
2. Orphan-Maker exiled
Comic book: Hellions No. 18
The Hellions were put together as a way to stop mutants from being put in The Pit (Sabretooth being the first to be sent there). Unfortunately for Orphan-Maker (whose real name is Peter), there were no other options. He killed innocent humans (Hellions No. 17) and that can’t be overlooked.
Before Peter was sentenced, Nanny said that she wanted to be exiled with him. At first, the Quiet Council denied her request. After threatening Kitty Pryde’s mother and explaining that she wouldn’t leave Peter alone or fail him again, she was allowed to go with him. Nanny was then dragged with Peter while she sings him a lullaby.
Why is this important?
Despite this being the last issue of Hellions, something will come from this. People of Krakoa may look at this as a mistake. Even though he’s built like an adult, Peter has the mentality of a child. It seemed odd that the Quiet Council wouldn’t make an exception.
At some point, this will likely be brought up again. Mutants will question how long someone is supposed to stay in The Pit. Is this forever? If so, is this fair? Is this supposed to be a punishment without rehabilitation? If this is the case, then what’s the point?
1. Shadow King no more
Comic book: New Mutants No. 23
For as long as he’s been in Marvel Comics, The Shadow King has tormented the X-Men. He was the worst kind of villain as well. He attacks his enemy’s mind. With Krakoa being a safe haven for mutants, Amahl Farouk (Shadow King) was allowed a home and second chance. To no one’s surprise, he was still evil. He targeted Rahne Sinclair (Wolfsbane) and other young mutants. As horrible as Shadow King is, we learned something new: Amahl Farouk wasn’t in control of his actions.
All this time, the Shadow King was holding a good person back. Thankfully Gabby Kinney (Honey Badger) didn’t give up on him. She saw that there was someone inside of Amahl Farouk that wasn’t wicked. She was right. Amahl cried at the end of New Mutants saying he was sorry. Now, we’ll see what kind of person he really is.
Why is this important?
Krakoa is all about new beginnings. We saw it with Apocalypse, Exodus, and other villains. Now, Amahl Farouk gets the same treatment. What he’ll do with it remains to be seen. If this writer had to guess, he will be working with the younger mutants like Gabby, Anole, and No-Girl and the New Mutants team as well.
Hopefully, Amahl Farouk remains on the side of good. He deserves a chance to start over. Plus, villains-turned-heroes are usually great characters.
What do you think? Are there other comic book moments that should be on this list? Let us know in the comments below.