Raid on Graymalkin is the first X-Men crossover since the Fall of X. The event combines Gail Simone’s Uncanny X-Men (with art by David Marquez) and Jed MacKay’s X-Men (with art by Ryan Stegman and Federico Vicentini).
What started as both teams attempting to save their teammates (Beast, Jubilee, and Calico) led to a fight between rosters (this happens in Uncanny X-Men No. 7). Warden Corina Ellis had one of her inmates influence their emotions, but this would have happened regardless. Nevertheless, the real tension came after their minds were clear during X-Men No. 8.
"Don't you see? Xavier has always manipulated us. Will always manipulate us, all for the sake of the dream." -Cyclops
Cyclops and Rogue finally put their rivalry to the side only to have it rekindled within seconds. Rogue wanted to rescue Charles Xavier from Graymalkin's prison and Cyclops disagreed. He said this was the first time the X-Men were free of him. They could finally move past his dream and have one of their own. Unfortunately, Mutant X wasn’t Xavier, and Cyclops’ former mentor was already freed.
While the X-Men fought each other, Nightcrawler made a smart play. He teleported himself and Psylocke out of the battle. Kurt felt irrational emotions and knew removing himself and Kwannon from the equation was the smart play.
While Kurt and Kannon go through the former Morlock tunnels, Kwannon starts acting and talking weirdly, and Kurt notices. It’s because she isn’t controlling her body or her mind. While Warden Ellis’ psychic is preoccupied with the X-Men, he loses control of one of his most dangerous inmates, Charles Xavier. This allows him to inhabit Psyocke’s mind and has her and Nightcrawler free him.
Charles wasn’t Mutant X (it's probably Mr. Sinister). He was locked in a cell in the basement. As Xavier says, “...they chose to bury me deep underground. As benefits a dead man.” This isn’t just an issue in an amazing crossover. This is leading to the next X-Men crossover, X-Manhunt, where the fate of Charles Xavier will be decided.
Marvel reports that the crossover will take place in, Uncanny X-Men, NYX, Storm, X-Men, X-Factor, and X-Force with a tie-in issue in Exceptional X-Men and concluding in a double-sized finale one-shot X-ManHunt Omega. This will begin in Uncanny X-Men No. 11 on March 5, 2025. Stay tuned to Bam Smack Pow to see if Charles Xavier, lives, dies, or fakes his death.
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