Here are the most important Marvel Comics moments of January 2022.
Marvel Comics started 2022 off with some incredible moments!
Among the various comic book events, we saw Wolverine’s consciousness go back in time to protect Professor Xavier from being killed (X of Lives Wolverine No. 1). Meanwhile, some of Ben Reilly’s memories were being deleted by the Beyond Corporation (Amazing Spider-Man No. 86). And Wilson Fisk failed at kicking the X-Men out of their base in New York (Devil’s Reign X-Men No. 1).
Those are only three of the major things that happened this month. Here are the other moments Marvel Comics fans should know about.
Iceman showing his true powers
Marvel comic: Marauders No. 7
When the mutants of Krakoa terraformed Mars, Magento went to Bobby Drake, a.k.a. Iceman. The planet couldn’t have been terraformed without him. When Fin Fang Foom tried to fight the Marauders, Iceman stepped up, beat him, and told him to never disrespect his omega level *** again. After those two instances, Bobby decided he needed to “flex his muscles a bit.”
Why is this important?
We’re finally going to see what Iceman can do. His first stop was to fight the Frost Giants of Niffleheim. He whooped them so bad they promised to never go to Midgard (Earth) again. Will this venture to discovery be a good or bad thing? Or could all of his power corrupt him?
Cyclops is retired
Marvel comic: X-Men No. 6 and No. 7
The mutants defeated death. The resurrection protocols allowed any mutant to come back to life. But there’s one catch that goes with this: If the world sees you die, then you’re retired; you must stay in Krakoa and can’t be seen in public again. Of all people for this to happen to, it was Scott Summers, a.k.a. Cyclops.
Cyclops had the brilliant idea to change his identity and continue fighting with the X-Men. Unfortunately, the Quiet Council of Krakoa voted to not allow Scott to do this. To make things worse, he decided to give Ben Urich a quote about mutants coming back to life. Too bad Urich doesn’t remember that or Scott Summers.
Why is this important?
Cyclops not being able to fight with the X-Men is major. There’s never been a time when he flat out wasn’t allowed to be a hero. When his Captain Krakoa idea was revoked, he was furious. Seeing him be so desperate that he’d tell a nation’s secret is unlike him. Cyclops may do something so desperate and out of character it could stop the mutants from being resurrected.
The God of Hammers revealed
Marvel comic: Thor No. 20
Thor’s hammer Mjolnir has been acting weird since the War of the Realms ended. Sometimes Thor struggled to pick it up while those who weren’t worthy could. He tried a few things to change this and nothing worked.
Thor was later told about a prophecy about the God of Hammers. At first, it seemed foolish. Then, beings across the Nine Realms were being killed by a hammer – specifically Mjolnir.
Thor returned to Midgard to see his former home Broxton, Oklahoma destroyed by the God of Hammers. After a thorough beating from Mjolnir we found out that the God of Hammers is actually Mjolnir.
Why is this important?
Writer Donny Cates has been putting Thor through a lot. This is just the most recent trial the God of Thunder will have to overcome. But how? Mjolnir’s body is made of lightning and is wielding a weapon that’s almost indestructible. This isn’t going to be a battle the God of Thunder can win with fists. Even if he wins, will Mjolnir be destroyed? More importantly, how will Thor’s people respond to him? He’s already being called a cursed king. Not being able to control Mjolnir will cause the beings of the Nine Realms to question Thor’s rule.
New Marauders team
Marvel comic: Marauders Annual No. 1
Kate Pryde and Bishop’s teammates have been leaving to pursue other ventures. Storm left right before the Hellfire Gala, Iceman has been flexing his mutant muscles, Pyro is on a book tour, and Emma is focusing more on the Hellfire Trading Company and the Quiet Council. That left Kate Pryde and Bishop to find new Marauders. A search that was quicker than you’d think.
Kate Pryde and Bishop will be joined by Daken, Psylocke, Aurora, Tempo, and Somnus. That’s not all. Joining them is the woman who had a direct hand in the mutant genocide of Genosha (read New X-Men: E is for Extinction for more on that): Professor Charles Xavier’s sister Cassandra Nova.
Why is this important?
First, this new team of Marauders all have different power sets. This will make it difficult for their opponents to defeat them. Plus, a strategist like Bishop and a leader like Kate Pryde will help them become a team. The wild card is Cassandra Nova.
After everything she did, she’ll be looked at with disdain and nobody will blame them. She’s killed more mutants than anyone. Not to mention she tried to kill Lillandra disguised as Charles Xavier (New X-Men: Imperial).
Krakoa may island welcome all mutants, but will she be a problem or has she really turned into a new person? It’s not unheard of. Apocalypse, Legion, and Exodus have all become better people. Maybe she will too.
T’Challa has a spy on Arakko
Marvel comic: Black Panther No. 3
In the first issue of the new Black Panther run, we found out that T’Challa has Wakandans all over the world. He sent them to look for anything that could be a threat to Wakanda. This shouldn’t be shocking. T’Challa is always planning ten steps ahead of everyone, especially since several countries randomly attack him and Wakanda.
Despite the good intentions of keeping Wakanda safe, these moves seem questionable. Issue No. 3 of Black Panther is another example of this, as T’Challa put a sleeper agent (Gentle) on Mars (Arakko) where the mutants call home. More importantly, it’s where Storm is regent.
Why is this important?
T’Challa is playing a dangerous game. There are hundreds of mutants on Arakko with different abilities. Among those abilities is telepathy and others that can detect lies and read moods. If someone catches Gentle’s thoughts, he could be removed from Arakko in a very violent and public way.
That’s not the worst of it. If Storm finds out, she’ll have to inform both the Krakoa and Arrako councils. It’s doubtful either of them will let this go, especially Arakko and some of the Quiet Council members. They may want to go to war.
Who knows? Maybe X-Men vs Wakanda could be a Marvel event in the future.
There’s a new Wizard
Marvel comic: Fantastic Four No. 39
Bentley Wittman, a.k.a. the Wizard, took the Fantastic Four to court for custody of his clone Bentley Wittman 23. During the trial, Wittman found out that he is actually the clone as the original Wizard showed up in court. After the trial, Whitman 23 left the Fantastic Four with Dragon-Man, the original Bentley Wittman, and dubbed himself the new Wizard.
Jack of Hearts returns
Marvel Comic: She-Hulk
Jennifer Walters has regained control of her Hulk side (see: Avengers 50). Unfortunately, she had no money and only one suit. The good news is that the Wasp let her use one of her apartments.
Before Jennifer could relax, though, former Avenger Jack of Hearts came back from the dead. The last time he was seen was when he blew up Avengers Mansion (read Avengers: Disassembled for more on that).
Tigra is watching Moon Knight
Marvel comic: Moon Knight No. 7
Marc Spetor, a.k.a. Moon Knight, is the most unstable Avenger ever. That’s a major feat considering Deadpool and the Sentry were once members.
Recently, he helped Khonshu defeat the Avengers and take over most of the world (Avengers: Age of Khonshu). Because of that, T’Challa asked Tigra to keep an eye on him.
When Moon Knight finds out, he’s going to feel hurt and betrayed. Not because he’s being watched. He understands that he’s a bit nuts. It’ll be because his friend is spying on him and saying that she cares. That said, don’t be shocked if Marc already knows about Tigra spying on him.
What do you think? Were there other Marvel Comics moments that need to be recognized? Let us know in the comments below.