Beast becomes a god, Orchis is up to good (not surprising), and more Marvel Comics moments in the month of May.
May 2023 had some important and tragic Marvel Comics moments. Among them was a moment that upset a lot of Marvel fans: The death of Kamala Khan (Amazing Spider-Man No. 26).
Elsewhere, Magneto returned at the end of Scarlet Witch No. 5, and no one knows how or why. There are also reports that the Jean Grey series that is “key to the X-Men’s future”, the Venomverse is coming to an end, and Daredevil’s newest creative team was announced.
All this and there are still other important Marvel comic book moments that need to be mentioned. Let’s begin.
S.H.I.E.L.D. returns
Marvel comic: Fantastic Four No. 7/700
In issue No. 6 of Ryan North’s Fantastic Four, Maria Hill wanted to capture Sue Storm. The Invisible Woman blocking out the sun made her look like a weapon of mass destruction. Instead of continuing her pursuit, however, Hill let Sue and Johnny escape.
At the end of Fantastic Four No. 7/700, Agent Hill had an important discussion to Fury. She was explaining that she wanted to stay on the Fantastic Four’s good side. However, they need the means to stop superpowered beings. Of course, Maria Hill has a plan. The last page shows Hill giving Fury a file with the S.H.I.E.L.D. logo. She then asks if he has an opening to freelance.
Beast becomes a god
Marvel comic: X-Force No. 40
In some realities, Hank McCoy’s reign of terror doesn’t end. Quentin Quire (who disappeared back in X-Force No. 29) returns from an alternate timeline to recruit X-Force to stop Beast. When they arrive, Omega Red is captured, but ends up killing a version of Hank McCoy after being eaten (Omega Red says he’s not easily digested). X-Force believes killing this reality’s Hank McCoy means their mission is over. Unfortunately, this is only one of many timelines where Hank is in charge and in a god-like state. Beast appears to be a deity in the next timeline as well.
Colossus realizes something’s wrong
Marvel comic: X-Force No. 40
It’s unclear how long Colossus has been manipulated by his brother Mikhail Rasputin, but it’s been a long time. Mikhail is forcing a mutant to write in a book that’s controlling Colossus and making him do things that he normally wouldn’t. For example, Piotr ended up killing a woman he lived with and loved.
When Colossus (along with the rest of X-Force) entered the new timeline, he felt weird and fell over. For the first time in a while, his mind was clear, but he doesn’t know why. Hopefully, in one of the timelines X-Force visits, someone will let him or the team know what Mikhail is up to. It won’t be surprising if taking out Mikhail is X-Force’s next mission.
Wolverine skeletons are being used
Marvel comic: X-Men No. 22
The resurrection protocols have been a gift to mutants. Unlike most civilizations, mutants conquered death. When it comes to Wolverine, however, he isn’t just resurrected. Adamantium has to be added to his skeleton and claws. The problem is that Logan’s been killed more times than most people know and his skeletons have been abandoned all over the world and with Orchis (where he’s died multiple times). Now, enemies of the X-Men have been using his unbreakable skeleton and claws for their own plans. This isn’t just dangerous. It’s also a media disaster if the public finds out.
Orchis is sabotaging mutant pills
Marvel comic: X-Men No. 22
One of the perks of Krakoa becoming a nation are the pills they produce. The medicine gives regular people an extended life and eliminates illnesses that cause deterioration of the mind. Of course, enemies of the X-Men are using this to make mutants look bad.
Orchis created a frequency that’s caused humans taking the pills to fatally hurt themselves. The irony shouldn’t be lost on readers. The people protecting humans from mutants are the ones that are actively killing humans. Then again, this is what happens when you’re working with one of Mr. Sinister’s clones and M.O.D.O.K. It will be interesting to see how this plays out. Especially with Fall of X coming in a month.