X-Lapsed, Episode 056 – X-Men #6 (2020)
X-Lapsed, Episode Fifty-Six
Torn from the pages of HoXnPoX, comes a very special Mystique-focused issue of X-Men! Today we’re going to find out some of the things that went on between the panels of the big Mother Mold Mission, when the X-Men raided the Orchis Satellite. We’re also going to flash back to a story from… well, sometime before Uncanny X-Men #255, where Destiny has a very important message to share with her wife.
It’s been awhile since I’ve engaged in “hot takes”, but – an issue like this, really invites the semi-critical thinking… and makes my mind percolate trying to figure everything out. It’s a goodie, and I hope you take the time to check it out!
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@acecomics / @cosmictmill / weirdcomicshistory@gmail.com
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This is by far my favourite issue of X-Men so far. Mystique was one of the key dangling questions from the revelation in HOXPOX that Moira didn't want any precogs on Krakoa. I'd been waiting for this shoe to drop.
I loved the revisit of the Mother Mold Mission. It was clear from the first story that Mystique was up to something, she was out of contact for part of the mission, and it was great to have that confirmed. Also it was ominous to see the X-Men's actions possibly hastened the creation of Nimrod. When they showed the life where Moira killed all the Trasks it was stated that no action could stop the rise of AI and we've had that confirmed.
The most significant part of this story from my point of view was Mystique referring to Destiny as her wife. Claremont was hardly subtle with his depiction of Mystique and Destiny's relationship but this is the first time on panel that it has been openly stated. This is a huge milestone for LGBT+ representation in comics. The earliest gay relationship in the X-books is finally acknowledged on the page.
The idea of Mystique burning down Krakoa has me second-guessing so much. She could be anybody in any situation. Have we already seen her plotting against the X-Men? So many possibilities.
I worry about a Krakoan gate on the Orchis Forge. I thought any mutant could travel through them. Isn't Karima a mutant?Could they be directly invaded by an army of Nimrods?