Despite its summer 2023 X-event 'Fall of X' that may alter or even end the Krakoa X-Men era, Marvel Comics is still publishing a third annual version of the Hellfire Gala this July, and along with it a third annual X-Men fan vote, to choose a member of the "the full new X-Men team" that will be revealed during the event.
And now sox 2023 candidates have been revealed. They are Cannonball, Dazzler, Frenzy, Jubilee, Juggernaut, and Prodigy.
In its inaugural year, readers chose Polaris, and last year they selected Firestar. Those two results sort of put you in the mind of Dazzler or Jubilee for this year's frontrunner, but Cannonball and Juggernaut could garner significant reader support as well.
In its inaugural year, readers chose Polaris and last year they selected Firestar. Those two results sort of put you in the mind of Dazzler or Jubilee for this year's frontrunner, but Cannonball and Juggernaut could garner significant reader support as well.
Voting has begun at marvel.com/xmenvote, and the voting will remain open until 11:59 pm ET on Friday, February 3. Readers can vote only once.
Here's how Marvel describes each of the six candidates.
- Cannonball: "One of the original New Mutants, the second class of students in the Xavier School, Sam Guthrie has come a long way. His ability to transform into a human cannonball, propelling himself with great force at high speeds while making himself 'nigh invulnerable' has taken him from an awkward lanky teen to a married father who is both a former X-Man and Avenger! Why not rocket him to the front lines again?"
- Dazzler: "Dazzler first made it to the scene as a pop star, using her secret mutant power to transform sound into light as part of her stage show. Becoming a hero and joining the X-Men never dimmed her star-power, even as she learned to use her ability to dazzle as an offensive weapon. Since then, she's been a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent, a freedom fighter, mother to a time paradox, and a vampire hunter. Isn't it time for Alison Blaire to reclaim center stage?"
- Frenzy: "Superhuman strength, speed, stamina, agility, reflexes and durability have made Joanna Cargill a formidable opponent to any who crosses her. From her early days opposed to the X-Men as a member of Apocalypse's Alliance of Evil, her time as one of Magneto's Acolytes, and Mister Sinister's Marauders, to her time on the side of good with the Jean Grey School, and eventually as an intergalactic ambassador with S.W.O.R.D., Frenzy has what it takes to tackle anything!"
- Jubilee: "Having joined the X-Men as a teenaged runaway, Jubilation Lee had been shooting explosive fireworks out of her hands into the face of evil for many years when she lost her powers in M-Day. Even so, that didn't stop her from fighting for what's right—first as a New Warrior using a power suit, and later as a vampire, going against every monstrous urge that came with that transformation. Cured of that curse and with her mutant powers returned, Jubilee deserves to reclaim her spot on the X-team!"
- Juggernaut: "The non-mutant stepbrother of Professor X, Cain Marko long ago claimed the gem of the ancient 'god' Cyttorak, transforming him into the unstoppable brute known as Juggernaut. For many years he was a thorn in the X-Men's side, frequently rampaging through their lives leaving wreckage behind. More recently, however, Cain has shaken off the evil influence of his dark master, claiming the power of Juggernaut under his own terms and making amends for his past deeds.
- Prodigy: "Prodigy possesses the power of psychomimetry—a form of telepathy that grants him the skills and knowledge of those in his proximity. This allows him equal mastery of any skill—mental or physical—as those around him. His ability to retain knowledge from those sources makes him an even more formidable mutant – one who is brilliant at biology, computers, martial arts, and strategic planning. David Alleyne may borrow from others, but he is one of a kind."
The winner joins the core X-Men superhero team, but what role they play after 'Fall of X' remains to be seen. The title calls to mind the classic '80s crossover 'Fall of the Mutants' in which the X-Men went through some major fundamental changes. In teasing 'Fall of X' last October, Marvel suggested big changes could be afoot as well.
"The X-Men hoped Krakoa would last forever. Time to find out if they were right," the publisher ominously warned.
"The X-Men have been winning for a long time. How long did you think the villains were going to leave them alone?" added X-Men writer Gerry Dugan.
What we do know is Tony Stark will play a role in 'Fall of X' along with the classic mutant-hunting robots The Sentinels but upgraded with Stark technology due to the villain Feilong (AKA Kelvin Heng), a mutant-hating industrialist who has taken over Stark Industries.
Feilong works alongside Orchis, an organization made of up from factions of Hydra, A.I.M., S.H.I.E.L.D., Alpha Flight, S.W.O.R.D., S.T.R.I.K.E., A.R.M.O.R., H.A.M.M.E.R., and Damage Control who believe they must prevent mutants from ascending to control of the Earth within the next few generations, which they consider a "doomsday" scenario for non-mutant humanity.
Little is known about the post-'Fall of X' landscape, but Marvel has offered one clue, revealing Wolverine will be "on the run" due to its "shocking" events in a team-up limited series with Ghost Rider.
Stay on top of everything coming in the world of Krakoa with our listing of all the new X-Men comic book releases planned for 2023.
