What X-Men Comics Fans Need to Read Before the Upcoming Relaunch

With the upcoming X-Men “Destiny of X” relaunch, there may be fans scrambling to catch up before the big event and there are a few books in particular that are basically required reading to do so. In 2019, superstar comic book writer Jonathan Hickman relaunched the X-Men comics. He set up a radical new status quo, one in which the entire mutant race gathered on the living island of Krakoa. Hickman originally planned to continue the story, but Marvel intends to continue exploring the wonderful new world he’s fashioned; and so Hickman is moving on, his job done, while the X-Men comics move to their next relaunch, called “Destiny of X.”

The X-Men franchise has always been known for its labyrinthine continuity. Marvel’s relaunches have traditionally attempted to minimize the impact of this deep lore, but Hickman took a different approach. His story has built upon decades’ worth of continuity, making it all incredibly rewarding for longer-term readers. Pleasingly, he’s taken a streamlined approach that means the core story – the tales that establish the core concepts underpinning this world – are told in a relatively small number of books. While the story is dense, new fans don’t really have to do a lot of reading up to understand the story.

So here are the most important X-Men books to read ahead of the relaunch. These aren’t necessarily the best (although they do include many of the best); rather, they’re the comic books that establish the new mutant status quo, so new readers can jump right on board with the “Destiny of X” relaunch.

House of X/Powers of X

It all began in 2019, with two miniseries by Jonathan Hickman – House of X and Powers of X. The two books go side-by-side, charting the dawn of Krakoa but also giving an ominous glimpse of the possible mutant futures. Jonathan Hickman’s relaunch really oriented itself around the story of Moira MacTaggert, a long-term ally of the X-Men who he revealed was a secret mutant with the power of reincarnation. Armed with Moira MacTaggert’s secret knowledge, Professor X and Magneto manipulated the world in an attempt to avert any and all dystopian mutant futures. Krakoa is the result – a new dawn for mutantkind, with mutant powers even used in synergy to conquer death itself

Excalibur #1

Betsy Braddock is something of a power player in the X-Men relaunch, replacing her brother as the new Captain Britain. That makes Tini Howard and Marcus To’s Excalibur #1 essential reading because this is the issue that kicks it all off. Brian Braddock is transported to the mystical realm of Avalon, where he is forced to serve Morgana Le Fey, and Betsy claims the Amulet of Right to become Captain Britain. It set Betsy Braddock up on a new path, one in which she struggled to figure out where her loyalties lay given the increasing hostility between the U.K. and Krakoa.

X-Force #4

The relaunched X-Force is the mutant version of the CIA, established in the aftermath of a failed assassination attempt on Charles Xavier. It’s run by Beast, a character who’s embraced the new status quo in a decidedly sinister way, gradually losing his grip on morality and potentially setting the mutants up for confrontation and conflict with the Avengers. X-Force #4, by Benjamin Percy and Joshua Cassara, is the key issue as it reveals the structure and main membership of the mutant team.

X of Swords

The “X of Swords” event is a spectacular conflict in the mystical realm of Otherworld, one with far-reaching ramifications for the mutant race. By the end of this epic, Cyclops and Jean Grey have reformed the X-Men as the greatest heroes of mutantkind, while a deal struck by Apocalypse has brought another living island – Arakko – to Earth, populated by millions of war-hardened mutants. “X of Swords” also features the return of the Captain Britain Corps – a new incarnation, very different to the one planned by Otherworld’s ruler Saturnyne.

X-Men #21

In the aftermath of “X of Swords,” the mutant race launched the first Hellfire Gala – an opportunity to show the world just what mutants are capable of. Written by Hickman and featuring art by Nick Dragotta, Russel Dauterman, Lucas Werneck, and Sara Pichelli, X-Men #21 introduces the current X-Men team – elected by every mutant on Krakoa. The issue also foreshadows another major twist in the story of the Hellfire Gala, with Namor telling the mutants he’s not interested in an alliance when they only rule an island.

Planet-Size X-Men #1

Namor underestimated the scale of the X-Men’s ambition, as he learned to his shock when the Hellfire Gala took an unexpected twist. Gerry Duggan and Pepe Larraz’s Planet-Size X-Men #1 sees a handful of Omega-level mutants actually Terraform Mars, combining their powers to tame an entire planet in a matter of minutes as dignitaries all over the world watched with awe. This culminated in the X-Men’s transporting Arakko to Mars, giving its inhabitants an entire island of their own.

SWORD #6

Continuing the story of the Hellfire Gala, Sword #6 – by Al Ewing and Valerio Schiti – sees the mutant race crown Storm as Regent of the Solar System. Not content with Terraforming Mars, the X-Men intend to establish themselves on a galactic scale, using a rare metal they possess called mysterium as a bargaining chip. It’s an inspired strategy, transforming the X-Men into a cosmic presence and setting up Storm as one of the most important mutants of all.

X-Men: Onslaught Revelation

Krakoa is a garden – and, just like the Garden of Eden, it has a serpent. Onslaught returned in Si Spurrier’s Way of X miniseries, wreaking havoc as Nightcrawler wrestled with philosophical questions that would determine the future of mutant civilization. The story builds to a climax in Si Spurrier and Bob Quinn’s X-Men: The Onslaught Revelation #1, in which Nightcrawler and Xavier’s son Legion conspire to defeat Onslaught once and for all. Nightcrawler establishes a new mutant priesthood to nurture, guide, and protect Krakoa – and their story will continue in “Destiny of X.”

X-Force #24

Krakoa has enemies, and in Benjamin Percy and Martin Coccolo’s X-Force #24 they acquire an important pawn on the living island – Colossus, one of Professor X’s most trusted allies. The issue is an important one, revealing just what it takes to break Colossus’ will, and setting him up for a major role going forward; Colossus is being positioned to sit on Krakoa’s ruling council, meaning the X-Men are secretly being led by a traitor. This story looks set to be a major part of the “Destiny of X” relaunch.

Excalibur #24-26

The final arc of Tini Howard and Marcus To’s Excalibur, which runs through issues #24-26, serves as direct setup for “Destiny of X.” The forces of Merlyn and King Arthur launch a stunning attack on Camelot, while the brewing conflict between Krakoa and the U.K. threatens to boil over into outright war. Betsy Braddock’s Captain Britain is finally forced to remember she’s a badass – as she proves to King Arthur himself – and heads back to Otherworld to lead the fight against Camelot.

X-Men: Inferno

Finally, Jonathan Hickman and Valerio Schiti’s X-Men: Inferno is a four-issue miniseries that will redefine the X-Men for “Destiny of X.” It continues several of Hickman’s most important arcs, with Mystique successfully resurrecting her lover Destiny – and the two going to war on Moira MacTaggert, the secret mutant whose very existence has been hidden for so long. The story is ongoing as of the time of this writing, but already it’s clear the repercussions will transform the X-Men – leading straight into this upcoming relaunch.

About The Author

Thomas Bacon
(4917 Articles Published)

Tom Bacon is one of Screen Rant’s staff writers, as well as a Peer Mentor for new writers and a member of the Care Team, offering support and a listening ear to members of the Comics group. A lifelong fan of major franchises including Star Wars, Doctor Who, and Marvel, Tom is delighted his childhood is back – and this time it’s cool. You can find him on Twitter @TomABacon.

A graduate of Edge Hill University, Tom remains strongly connected with his alma mater as a volunteer chaplain. He’s heavily involved with his local church, and anyone who checks him out on Twitter will swiftly learn he’s into British politics too.

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