X-Lapsed, Episode 283 – Inferno #2 (2021)

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• Hi Chris, I’m back again with what will probably be my longest ever comment as I feel I owe it to you to explain how I became X-Lapsed-Lapsed.
  I am a huge fan of the X-Men. I began reading US comics with the Mutant Massacre and the run from then to the first Inferno was my Golden Age. I would religiously read Uncanny, X-Factor and New Mutants and pick up every guest appearance, limited series or special connected to the X-Family. I am always trying to regain that connection. When Marvel relaunch the X-books I pick up everything at the start but inevitably lose interest and walk away. I have been X-Lapsed on many occasions.
  When the Krakoan era started I was all in. I bought and loved all of HOX and POX and initially picked up every book, slowly dropping them until I was only picking up Marauders and, occasionally, X-Men. Around the same time, I had started following the Chris and Reggie channel on Podbean after it was recommended to me by the algorithm (thanks Al) so one day episode one of X-Lapsed appeared in my feed and I was ready for it. It took me 6 episodes to start commenting but your positive reaction made me start commenting on every episode. I would read the issue prior to listening to you so I was sometimes out of order because I was waiting for Unlimited but on it went for over a year.
  And then we came to X-Corp number 2.
  It was the next issue so all I had to do was read it on Marvel Unlimited then listen to your review and comment. Sounds simple but I couldn’t face it the first day as work had been really stressful and I was tired, so I took a day off. The next day I was still tired, so I left it another day, and another. It became a millstone around my neck. I couldn’t move on with X-Lapsed until I read that comic and I really didn’t want to. Eventually I had a day off and gritted my teeth and started to read it. It took me three goes to get through it. It was offensively bad. We have read bad comics in the HOXPOXDOX era but they had always contained some glimmer of an idea or a reason for existing. Even if the reason was corporate greed, there was a reason. I couldn’t fathom why this was being published. A collection of unpleasant characters doing unpleasant things for no discernible reason. I was angry and disappointed. I considered cancelling my Unlimited subscription but instead just settled for walking away from the X-books. I was once again X-Lapsed. Fortunately, this coincided with you launching your Patreon so I could continue to support you without having to put in the work of reading all the X-books.
  Of course, I remain an X-fan and always look for a way back in and along came the Trial of Magneto and Inferno. I had to buy those two books and when I read Inferno number 2 last month I instantly thought “I can’t wait to hear what Chris thinks of this” and here I am no longer X-Lapsed-Lapsed. Back in the fold experiencing the joy of X-lapsed.
  Onto the comic in question. Inferno is the best X-book Hickman has written in quite a while. It also the most Hickman X-book. This means it hits where he is strongest. We get a fantastic escalation of the mystery box of HOXPOXDOX and an actual mystery box too. It also means it misses where Hickman is weakest. It is a little too confusing. Particularly the whole Sage bit.
  I think we are meant to understand that Orchis are attempting to create their own gateways between the Orchis Forge and Earth. The AIM scientists, the monkeys and Hordeculture are all working together on this. I think Professor X has overridden the security alert about Paris because of Moira going through the gate. We know that there was also a report from Tommy the Obscure in Paris last issue and that is part of why Sage recommended sending in a team. I think Xavier doesn’t know about the monkey scientists.
  Mystique discusses what Xavier is trying to hide with Destiny and disguises herself as Sage to investigate. I think her having to say the deactivation code twice is proof that it is Mystique and she was initially using her own voice. Of course, Mystique goes to Paris to investigate what Professor X is covering up and stumbles into Orchis. Is she going to think that Xavier is in cahoots with Orchis? Is this the thing that leads to the resurrection at the start of issue 1? Maybe the Quiet Council will find X and Magneto guilty of treason for working with Orchis and they get put to death. Or maybe Moira will kill the two of them and Emma is resurrecting them without any knowledge of Moira. It could go so many ways.
  I also feel like the fact that Krakoa is spying on everyone and that a triumvirate of Doug, Warlock and the Island seem to be working together must be leading to something. Is Karima some kind of child of Krakoa/Douglock/Bei? Her true nature seems to be part of the story. Is she there to help Orchis or to stop Nimrod? I have so many questions.
  Anyway, it’s good to be back. Thanks again, Chris.

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