X-Men's Krakoan Age Part 1: Your Ultimate Reading Guide to Dawn of X & HoX/PoX!
- Erik Dansereau
- Jun 2
- 8 min read
Alright, True Believers and Mutant Mavens! If you've been feeling the seismic shifts in the Marvel Universe, chances are you've heard about Krakoa. The X-Men didn't just get a new zip code; they've underwent a revolutionary transformation, and it all kicked off in what we're calling Phase 1: The Dawn Of X Reading Guide heralded by the groundbreaking House of X and Powers of X miniseries.
This is your ultimate spoiler-free reading guide to understanding this bold new era for mutantkind. We'll break down the foundational stories, the key players, the must-read comics, and why this chapter is an absolutely essential read for any X-Men fan or anyone curious about one of the most ambitious comic storylines in recent memory. Get ready to step through the gateway – this is where it all begins!
The Genesis: House of X & Powers of X – A New Mutant World Order
Before "Dawn of X" could break, master architect Jonathan Hickman, alongside artists Pepe Larraz and R.B. Silva, laid down the extraordinary foundation with two intertwined 6-issue miniseries (though often cited as 5-issue due to the nature of PoX #6 acting as an epilogue/bridge): House of X (HoX) and Powers of X (PoX) (July - October 2019). Forget everything you thought you knew; this was a paradigm shift.
What’s the Big Deal (Spoiler-Free)?
Mutant Nationhood: Professor X, Magneto, and their allies (and former enemies!) establish Krakoa, a living island, as a sovereign nation for all mutants.
The Moira MacTaggert Revelation: A long-standing human ally is revealed to be a mutant with the power of reincarnation, whose past lives have shaped the entire history and future of mutantkind. Her experiences across multiple timelines are crucial to understanding Krakoa's creation and desperate purpose.
Resurrection Protocols: Mutants achieve a form of immortality through "The Five," a circuit of mutants whose combined powers can bring any deceased mutant back to life. This is a cornerstone of the new Krakoan society.
New Friends, Old Foes, New Rules: Heroes and villains are invited to Krakoa, putting aside old grudges for the sake of mutant survival and prosperity. This creates fascinating new dynamics and tensions.
Orchis – The Human Opposition: A shadowy organization of human scientists and operatives forms, viewing Krakoa as an existential threat to humanity and working tirelessly to develop countermeasures, including the dreaded Nimrod.
HoX/PoX isn't just a story; it's a densely packed, mind-bending manifesto that redefined the X-Men's place in the Marvel Universe, tackling themes of colonialism, nationalism, survival, and the heavy price of power. The use of unique data pages and infographic-style storytelling added another layer to this ambitious relaunch.
Dawn of X: Building a Nation (November 2019 – November 2020)
With the nation established, the "Dawn of X" launched a wave of new titles, each exploring a different facet of Krakoan life, its global impact, and the challenges it faced. This is where the new status quo truly takes root and begins to flourish and face it's first tests.
Core Themes of Dawn of X:
Foundation & Exploration: Mutants worldwide make their way to Krakoa, and the new society begins to define itself – its laws, its culture, and its place on the global stage.
Unity and its Discontents: While Krakoa offers sanctuary, not every mutant sees eye-to-eye, and old rivalries and new threats simmer beneath the surface.
Facing the World: How does humanity react to a powerful, unified mutant nation offering miracle drugs in exchange for sovereignty? Not always well.
New Roles, New Dangers: Classic X-Men characters take on new responsibilities and face threats that are both internal and external.
Key Krakoan Institutions & Factions in Phase 1:
The Quiet Council: The governing body of Krakoa, comprised of figures like Xavier, Magneto, Apocalypse, Emma Frost, Storm, Jean Grey, Sebastian Shaw, Mystique, Exodus, Mister Sinister, Nightcrawler, and Kate Pryde (initially). Cypher and Krakoa itself also have voices. Their decisions shape the laws and direction of the mutant nation.
The Five: Hope Summers, Elixir, Egg (Fabio Medina), Proteus, and Tempus. These five mutants are crucial for the Resurrection Protocols, making mutants effectively immortal.
Hellfire Trading Company: Led by White Queen Emma Frost, Kate Pryde, and Sebastian Shaw, the Marauders crew sails the seas, liberating mutants and securing Krakoa's economic interests.
X-Force: The mutant CIA, handling Krakoa's intelligence and black ops to protect the nation from threats, often through brutal means. Led by Beast, Jean Grey, and Sage, with field operatives like Wolverine, Domino, and Kid Omega.
Excalibur: Led by a reluctant Betsy Braddock as the new Captain Britain, this team deals with magical threats and Krakoa's relationship with Otherworld, a mystical realm. Apocalypse plays a surprisingly key role here.
Hellions: A team of Krakoa's more "problematic" or dangerous mutants, given missions that no one else wants, under the (often exasperated) leadership of Mister Sinister.
Orchis: The ever-present human antagonist organization, working to undermine and destroy Krakoa.
The Essential Reading Guide: Phase 1 – HoX/PoX & Dawn of X
Navigating this new era can seem daunting, but here’s a comprehensive reading order to guide you through Phase 1, culminating in the X of Swords event. (We'll cover collected editions further down!)
1. House of X / Powers of X (The Foundation)
2. Dawn of X (The Initial Wave of Titles)
These titles launched after HoX/PoX. The "Dawn of X" trade paperbacks collect these in a roughly chronological reading order. However, if reading individual issues or series trades, here’s a general idea of the core ongoing series and key limited series/one-shots from this period before X of Swords:
Ongoing Series (Approximate start of their Phase 1 run):
X-Men (by Jonathan Hickman) #1-11
Marauders (by Gerry Duggan) #1-12
Excalibur (by Tini Howard) #1-12
New Mutants (by Jonathan Hickman/Ed Brisson & Rod Reis) #1-12
X-Force (by Benjamin Percy) #1-12
Fallen Angels (by Bryan Edward Hill) #1-6 (This series had a mixed reception but introduces Kwannon/Psylocke's new status.)
Wolverine (by Benjamin Percy) #1-5
Cable (by Gerry Duggan) #1-4
Hellions (by Zeb Wells) #1-4
X-Factor (by Leah Williams) #1-3
Key Limited Series & One-Shots:
(Note: Some concurrent titles like Juggernaut or Deadpool's series had minor Krakoa tie-ins but are not typically considered "core" Dawn of X for understanding the central Krakoan narrative).
3. X of Swords (The First Major Crossover Event)
This 22-part crossover (plus two prelude issues in Excalibur #12 and X-Men #12) brings Phase 1 / Dawn of X to a stunning climax. It involves almost all the Dawn of X titles.
Main Event (Follow chapter numbering):
Spoiler-Free Premise of X of Swords: A multiversal conflict erupts as the long-lost sibling island of Krakoa, Arakko, and its war-torn mutants return, led by figures from Apocalypse's ancient past. A tournament is decreed between the champions of Krakoa and Arakko, with the fate of both nations hanging in the balance. This event heavily involves Otherworld, magic, and Apocalypse's history, significantly changing the status quo for several characters and setting the stage for the next phase.
How to Collect Phase 1: Krakoa on Your Bookshelf
Getting into the Krakoan Age is made easier with several collected edition options:
House of X/Powers of X Trade Paperback (TPB) or Oversized Hardcover (OHC): Collects the foundational 12-issue event. Essential starting point.
Dawn of X Vol. 1-16 TPBs: These trades collect the entire "Dawn of X" line issue by issue in a curated reading order, from the launch of the new series up to the prelude of X of Swords. This is fantastic if you want the "as it happened" experience across all titles.
Individual Series Trade Paperbacks: Each ongoing series (X-Men by Jonathan Hickman Vol. 1 & 2, Marauders Vol. 1 & 2, Excalibur Vol. 1 & 2, etc.) also has its own collected editions if you prefer to follow specific titles.
X of Swords TPB or OHC: Collects the entire 22-part crossover and its preludes.
Critical Reception & Why Phase 1 Mattered
To put it mildly, HoX/PoX was a critical darling and a massive sales success. It was lauded for its ambition, intricate plotting, bold redesigns, and for making the X-Men feel dangerous, vital, and incredibly relevant again. Jonathan Hickman's long-term planning and the fresh perspectives brought by new creative teams revitalized a franchise that some felt had become stagnant.
The Dawn of X titles had varied receptions, as is common with any large line of comics.
Standouts: Marauders (for its swashbuckling fun and Kate Pryde's character arc), Hellions (for its dark humor and compelling portrayal of misfit characters), X-Force (for its gritty exploration of national security), and Hickman's core X-Men title (for its big ideas and central plot progression) were often praised. Excalibur found its footing exploring mutant magic and Otherworld.
Mixed: Overall, Phase 1 of the Krakoan Age was a triumphant reinvention. It wasn't just a new set of stories; it was a comprehensive world-building exercise that gave the X-Men a new purpose, new stakes, and a dazzling, complex new status quo that excited long-time fans and brought in new readers. The impact of concepts like the Resurrection Protocols, the Quiet Council, and the mutant nation of Krakoa are still being felt across the Marvel Universe. However, there were several series (Looking at you Falling Angels!) that just didn't add value to the overall story and was a bit of a slog to get through.
The Bound 4 You Comics Verdict: Is Krakoa Phase 1 Worth Your Time & Money?
If you’re an X-Men fan, even a lapsed one, the answer is an emphatic YES! Phase 1 of the Krakoan Saga is a bold, game-changing epic that has redefined mutantkind for a new generation. This era will likely appeal to:
Long-Time X-Men Readers: You'll appreciate the deep dives into lore, the recontextualization of classic characters, and the sheer audacity of the vision.
Fans of Ambitious World-Building: If you love stories that create intricate societies, new rules, and complex political landscapes, Krakoa is for you.
Readers Seeking Fresh Takes: This isn't just another superhero relaunch; it's a fundamental shift in premise.
Anyone Who Loves a Good Comic Book Epic: From the mind-bending revelations of HoX/PoX to the grand spectacle of X of Swords, this is top-tier comic storytelling.
The sales and critical buzz for HoX/PoX and the subsequent Dawn of X titles speak for themselves. This era injected unparalleled energy and excitement into the X-Men line.
What's Next on Krakoa?
This is just the beginning! Phase 1 laid the groundwork, but the story of Krakoa is far from over. The consequences of X of Swords directly lead into the next chapter of this grand saga.
Thats it for our Dawn Of X Reading guide! Stay tuned for Part 2 of our X-Men's Krakoan Age series, where we'll dive deep into "Reign of X" – exploring the fallout from the tournament, the first Hellfire Gala, the terraforming of Mars (now Planet Arakko!), and the ever-evolving threats to mutantkind!
Share Your Krakoan Thoughts!
Have you journeyed to Krakoa? What were your favorite moments or series from HoX/PoX and Dawn of X? Which mutant do you think thrived the most in this new era? Drop your opinions and theories in the comments below – let's get the discussion going here at www.bound4youcomics.com!
If You're Ready to Take the Plunge, We Recommend Starting With:
House of X/Powers of X TPB/OHC: Seriously, this is the bible for the new era. You have to start here.
Dawn of X Vol. 1 TPB: A great way to sample the initial wave of titles in reading order and see which ones grab you.
Marauders by Gerry Duggan Vol. 1 TPB: If you want a taste of one of the most consistently praised Dawn of X titles, this is a fantastic pick.
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