Photo Credit: Pepe Larraz | Marvel Comics
The Fall Of The House Of X #1
The Trial of Cyclops
Writer: Gerry Duggan
Artist: Lucas Werneck
Color Artist: Bryan Valenza
Letterer: VC’s Travis Lanham
A Resonating Start
Photo Credit: Skottie Young | Marvel Comics
“I Love It When A Plan Comes Together” This line from the 80s TV series The A-Team was only made once the group’s leader Hannibal was certain that the team’s mission was successful.
For the past few years, and honestly many before that, readers of Marvel Comics watched as the best laid plans of mutants – even those for all mankind – gang aft agley. After the 20223 Hellfire Gala the entire world has seemingly turned against them thanks to Orchis propaganda.
Now X-Men are ready to remind everybody that the House never loses. But in Fall of the House of X #1 from writer Gerry Duggan are we getting a possible renovation for Xavier’s or simply applying spackle.
The Trial Begins
Photo Credit: Artgerm | Marvel Comics
With the title of this first chapter of Fall of the House of X being The Trial of Cyclops, the opening sequence is all about getting Scott to the courthouse on time. Artist Lucas Werneck’s brief but brilliant dream sequence featuring a desolate Old West towne is full of symbolism.
Destiny as a fortune teller machine is obvious but choosing to have Logan – a man who was often presented as the opposite of Scott – leading him to court suggests maybe Scott’s path has been wrong all along. Finally, not only do I think the judges – among them Moira and even M.O.D.O.K – should recuse themselves, but shouldn’t Xavier be a co-defendant?
Upon returning to reality as his helicopter lands in Paris, Scott finds comfort that his trial is similar to Magneto’s. Both have often been the face of the mutant experience while others could choose to be just the voice. Add in the fact that for the second time in a little over a year Scott is facing Judgement Day. Both look about the same, even through ruby quart glasses.
The Defense and the Accusation
Photo Credit: Marvel Comics
While the Trial of Cyclops begins and ends with Scott offering little defense for his – and by extension mutantdom’s actions during the Krakoan Age, it appears the remainder of the X-Men and even some of their allies are mounting an offense. But what about those actions?
Can you imagine, years ago, Colossus and Wolverine teaming up to create a twist on the Fastball Special? How does that work now? Because unless I read it wrong Wolverine didn’t want to spend two seconds speaking with Piotr in the pages of X-Force #47.
Though Colossus’ actions were due to Mikhail’s manipulation, Piotr admits had Mikhail asked, he may have aided his brother. This makes the interaction between these two long-standing X-Men, longtime friends start to frame the foundation of Xavier’s mission, his dream differently. See, fighting a common foe and fighting for commonality are not the same.
As Wolverine once said to Cyclops “subtle difference makes all the difference in the world.”
Unseen Strategies and Unspoken Plans
Photo Credit: Marvel Comics
Things may have gone differently for the X-Men team picked to spring Cyclops before trial if not for one missing member. Moments before the French caper, Charles Xavier calls Rasputin IV away from her assignment.
He claims that this task needs to run concurrently with that of the other X-Men’s or else they will all fail, but that raises the question – Why didn’t he inform anyone else?
He had plenty of options because according to Fall of the House of X #1 Magneto was right. We didn’t see everything that has occurred during the past few months. Anyone following the Fall Out from the Hellfire Gala knows that the X-Men are scattered.
Not just across the Earth, but the Universe. Yet this issue suggests that quite a few plans were made behind the scenes. Specifically a much grander plan to rescue Cyclops beyond sending in Firestar. The splash page showing Shadow Kate contacting the various X factions via the gates while Emma does so telepathically should serve as a rallying moment. Instead, it feels self-serving.
Maybe because a portion of this plan wouldn’t be possible if Storm and the Brotherhood don’t beat Genesis. This battle took place in X-Men Red #18 on Arakko, an endeavor even Scott admits he never fully supported.
Speaking of 100% support, the final page proves it’s a good Jean didn’t need Scott’s to make a wise ruling. Guess since Captain Pryde wasn’t on the team then she doesn’t know about that “option”. Meanwhile, where are the two mutants who have been “leading” the X-Men in Cyclops absence?
Cyclops’ Reflection and the Future of the House of X
One key figure of the Krakoan Era takes the stand when Nimrod arrives on the island for sentencing. Bryan Valenza reminds readers that The Island that Walks Like A Man is also a mutant. After stopping the android’s attack Krakoa swims away to hopefully join the X-Men in their proceedings.
Considering this case must very inception feel like double jeopardy after Judgement Day, Scott doesn’t need to say a lot. However, since this is The Trial of Cyclops I feel the accused should have the final word. It doesn’t come in the courtroom, instead it occurs in an interrogation room with Dr. Gregor.
I’ve been thinking about the price of War
The cost to the House of X has been great during The Fall. As we enter Winter one wonders if it can withstand anymore trials.
Score: 8.6