Reign of X Unpacked: Your Ultimate Reading Guide to X-Men Krakoa Phase 2
- Erik Dansereau
- Jun 27
- 7 min read
Welcome back to Bound4YouComics.com, fellow X-thusiasts! In Part 1 of our Krakoan Age exploration, we witnessed the groundbreaking birth of a mutant nation with House of X/Powers of X and the foundational "Dawn of X." Now, the saga escalates. Krakoa isn't just surviving; it's thriving, expanding, and asserting its power on a cosmic scale. This is Phase 2: Reign of X – a period of audacious moves, political intrigue, stunning revelations, and the first major tests of mutantkind's new world order.
Running from roughly December 2020 to early 2022 (culminating with Inferno and leading into X Lives/X Deaths of Wolverine), "Reign of X" sees mutantkind at an unparalleled peak of power and influence. But with great power comes great complexity, and the shadows of old secrets and new threats begin to lengthen. Let's get into your ultimate spoiler-free guide to this ambitious era!
The New Reign: Expansion, Influence, and Intrigue
The theme of "Reign of X," as stated by architect Jonathan Hickman, was "expansion." After the trials of X of Swords, Krakoa looks outward, making bold plays that redefine its place not just on Earth, but in the entire galaxy.
What’s the Vibe (Spoiler-Free)?
Mutants on the Galactic Stage: The reformation of S.W.O.R.D. as Krakoa's space program, led by the formidable Abigail Brand, signals mutantkind's cosmic ambitions. They're not just a nation; they're an interplanetary power.
The Hellfire Gala – A Global Spectacle: Krakoa hosts its first Hellfire Gala, a high-fashion, high-stakes diplomatic event that makes global headlines, elects a new X-Men team, and features a display of power that leaves the world in awe (and fear).
Planet Arakko – A New Mutant World: In their most audacious move, the mutants terraform Mars, renaming it Planet Arakko and making it a home for the Arakki mutants. This dramatically shifts the balance of power in the solar system. Storm takes on a crucial leadership role as Regent of Arakko.
Internal Politics & The Quiet Council: Tensions and power plays continue within Krakoa's governing body. The return of key figures and the weight of long-held secrets (especially Moira MacTaggert's) begin to strain the utopian facade.
Exploring Mutant Culture & Faith: Series like Way of X delve into the philosophical and spiritual implications of Krakoan society, including the meaning of resurrection and the search for a mutant moral code.
Orchis Ascendant: The human supremacist organization Orchis doesn't rest, advancing its plans to counter the mutant threat, with the dreaded Nimrod becoming an ever-more-present danger.
Key Krakoan Institutions & Factions – Evolving Roles in Reign of X:
The Quiet Council: Continues its rule, but faces new challenges with vacant seats post-X of Swords and the bombshells dropped during Inferno. Key players like Xavier, Magneto, Emma Frost, and Mystique navigate complex agendas.
S.W.O.R.D. (Sentient World Observation and Response Department): Re-established as Krakoa's space agency under Director Abigail Brand. Utilizes "The Six," a group of Omega-level mutants, for galaxy-spanning feats. Becomes a central pillar of Krakoan power projection.
The Arakki / The Great Ring: The warrior culture of Arakko, now residing on Planet Arakko (Mars), introduces new dynamics. Storm becomes their Regent and Voice of Sol, bridging two distinct mutant cultures.
The New X-Men (Post-Hellfire Gala): A democratically elected team (Cyclops, Jean Grey, Rogue, Sunfire, Polaris, Wolverine (Laura Kinney), Synch) operating out of a new base in New York City, serving as Earth's primary mutant superheroes.
X-Force: Continues as Krakoa's intelligence agency, with Beast's methods becoming increasingly ruthless and controversial, creating internal friction.
Orchis: Remains the primary antagonistic human force, accelerating its development of Nimrod and other anti-mutant measures.
The Essential Reading Guide: Phase 2 – Reign of X
"Reign of X" is an expansive era with numerous ongoing series and pivotal limited series/events. While the "Reign of X" Trade Paperbacks (Vol. 1-16) offer the most comprehensive, issue-by-issue collected reading experience, this guide will highlight the core series, their relevant issue runs for this phase, and provide detailed issue-by-issue breakdowns for major events.
1. Core Ongoing Series in Reign of X:
These series form the backbone of the "Reign of X" narrative, running from late 2020 through 2021, leading up to Inferno:
S.W.O.R.D. #1-11 (Key series for cosmic expansion, Planet Arakko, and Abigail Brand's schemes)
X-Men (2019 Jonathan Hickman run) #16-21 (Post-X of Swords, lead-up to Hellfire Gala)
X-Men (2021 Gerry Duggan run) #1-6 (The new elected X-Men team, post-Hellfire Gala)
Marauders #16-27 (Hellfire Trading, rescuing mutants, political intrigue; a new team forms mid-phase)
Excalibur #16-26 (Otherworld politics, Betsy Braddock as Captain Britain, mutant magic)
X-Force #15-26 (Krakoa's black ops, Beast's descent, internal conflicts)
New Mutants #14-24 (Diverse character-focused stories, Shadow King arc)
Wolverine #8-19 (Logan's solo adventures, X-Force ties, vampire conflicts)
Hellions #7-18 (The fan-favorite misfit team's dangerous missions; series concludes)
X-Factor #5-10 (Investigating mutant deaths, Mojoworld; series concludes early in Reign of X)
2. Key Limited Series & One-Shots in Reign of X:
Children of the Atom #1-6 (Young heroes inspired by the X-Men; concludes)
Way of X #1-5 (Nightcrawler's quest for mutant faith)
Leads into: The Onslaught Revelation #1 (One-shot conclusion to Way of X)
X-Corp #1-5 (The corporate arm of Krakoa; concludes)
Cable: Reloaded #1 (One-shot tie-in to The Last Annihilation)
King in Black: Marauders #1 (Tie-in one-shot)
Devil's Reign: X-Men #1-3 (Tie-in to Marvel event, occurs near the end of this phase)
3. Major Event: The Hellfire Gala (June – July 2021)
Krakoa's first major diplomatic and social event, a night of high fashion, mutant culture, shocking announcements, and a murder mystery. Read these 12 issues in order:
4. Major Limited Series Event: The Trial of Magneto (August – December 2021)
Spinning directly out of the Hellfire Gala, this 5-issue series investigates the murder of the Scarlet Witch.
5. Phase Capstone Event: Inferno (September 2021 – January 2022)
Jonathan Hickman's climactic 4-issue limited series, exposing the deepest secrets of Krakoa's founding and pitting Moira MacTaggert, Mystique, Destiny, Xavier, and Magneto against each other.
(Following Inferno, the dual miniseries X Lives of Wolverine / X Deaths of Wolverine serve as a direct bridge into Phase 3: Destiny of X.)
How to Collect Phase 2: Reign of X Like a Pro
Reign of X Vol. 1-16 Trade Paperbacks: These are your best bet for collecting the entire "Reign of X" line issue by issue in a curated, chronological reading order.
Individual Series Trade Paperbacks: All ongoing series continue to have their own TPB collections (e.g., S.W.O.R.D. Vol. 1-2, X-Men by Gerry Duggan Vol. 1, Hellions by Zeb Wells Vol. 2-3, etc.).
X-Men: Hellfire Gala TPB or OHC: Collects all 12 issues of the Hellfire Gala event.
X-Men: The Trial of Magneto TPB: Collects the 5-issue limited series.
Inferno by Jonathan Hickman TPB or OHC: Collects the pivotal 4-issue limited series.
Critical Reception & Why Phase 2 Elevated the Stakes
"Reign of X" largely maintained the critical acclaim and fan excitement generated by "Dawn of X."
Strengths: The sheer audacity of the world-building (Planet Arakko!), the visual spectacle of the Hellfire Gala, and the continued excellence of specific titles like Hellions (until its conclusion), S.W.O.R.D. (for its brilliant cosmic plotting), and the new flagship X-Men (for its engaging team dynamics) were frequently praised. Way of X was also noted for its thoughtful exploration of complex themes.
Evolving Dynamics: With Hickman stepping back from writing the main X-Men title post-Gala and focusing on Inferno, the line saw more diverse creative voices shaping the overarching narrative. While this led to a broader range of stories, some readers felt a slight diffusion of the tight, singular vision that characterized HoX/PoX and early Dawn of X.
Inferno as a Game-Changer: Hickman's finale was lauded for delivering impactful revelations that fundamentally altered the understanding of Krakoa's origins and set a dramatic new course for key characters like Moira, Mystique, and Destiny.
Phase 2, "Reign of X," was crucial for demonstrating Krakoa's power, ambition, and the inherent fragility of its utopian ideals. It expanded the narrative canvas significantly and laid essential groundwork for future conflicts.
The Bound 4 You Comics Verdict: Is Reign of X a Must-Read?
Undoubtedly, YES! If "Dawn of X" hooked you, "Reign of X" is where the Krakoan experiment truly blossoms and faces its first major existential crises from within. The scale is grander, the stakes are higher, and the character drama is richer.
This era is a thrilling ride for:
Fans of Epic World-Building: Witnessing the terraforming of Mars and the establishment of a mutant space program is pure comic book gold.
Readers Who Love Political Drama & Intrigue: The Hellfire Gala and the clandestine actions of the Quiet Council deliver in spades.
Those Invested in Deep Lore & Character Arcs: Key characters undergo significant transformations, and long-held secrets come to light.
Anyone Who Appreciates High-Concept Sci-Fi: "Reign of X" leans into the cosmic and philosophical aspects of the X-Men mythos.
What's Forged in the Fires of Inferno? The Road to Destiny...
The revelations and power shifts in Inferno are cataclysmic, directly setting the stage for the next, even more tumultuous era for mutantkind. The secrets are out, new leaders emerge, and the very future of Krakoa hangs in the balance.
Don't miss Part 3 of our X-Men's Krakoan Age series, where we venture into the unpredictable "Destiny of X" – a phase defined by new threats, shifting alliances, the public outing of mutant resurrection, and the long shadow of what was lost (and gained) in Inferno!
Share Your Reign of X Reactions!
What was your favorite moment from "Reign of X"? Did the Hellfire Gala dazzle you, or did Inferno's revelations shock you most? Which series soared to the top of your read pile during this phase? Sound off in the comments below – let's keep this mutant discussion alive at www.bound4youcomics.com!
If You're Ready to Embrace the Reign, We Recommend Starting With:
Reign of X Vol. 1 TPB: The ideal way to begin this phase, collecting the initial issues in story order.
S.W.O.R.D. by Al Ewing Vol. 1 TPB: To experience one of the standout new series of this era, showcasing Krakoa's cosmic might.
X-Men: Hellfire Gala TPB/OHC: Essential for the spectacle, the new X-Men team reveal, and the shocking terraforming of Mars.
Inferno by Jonathan Hickman TPB/OHC: The crucial, game-changing conclusion to Hickman's initial Krakoan narrative.
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