With the Fall of X on the way, the third Hellfire Gala is set to bring about an existential threat to all mutants. Yet, while Krakoa has a lot to worry about, that isn’t Arakko’s problem. X-Men: Red has its own issues to deal with.
In X-Men: Red #13, Al Ewing, Jacopo Camagni, Federico Blee, and Ariana Maher bring a new conflict to Arakko. While war has been in the air of Amenth for generations, it’s time for families to split, relationships to shatter, and battles to erupt. A civil war is officially here.
SPOILERS AHEAD for Immortal X-Men #13!
An easy complaint about X-Men: Red #12 was that it felt more like a preamble than a story. X-Men: Red #13 does not have quite the same issue.
There are few action sequences in the issue, nor are there many opportunities for Camagni to really show off his talent. Still, the political intrigue and excellent character design absolutely carry X-Men: Red #13.
As Lycaon the balanced one takes the seat of stalemate, the other members of the Great Ring do not have long to marvel at his ridiculous design. A two-headed wolf emerging from the body of a horse — complete with lion claws — is hard to top. Lodus tops him with a single thrown knife, and the games of the Great Ring are again afoot. Or, perhaps, aclaw.
Jon Ironfire takes the floor and warns the Ring of Genesis’ new staff. He tells them that, if the White Sword is taken, the war will be done. Genesis leaves him little time to tell anything else.
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With nothing more than careful words and clever manipulation by Annihilation, Ironfire tries to pick a fight, but he’s hardly any match for an extra-powerful Genesis. Storm, meanwhile, is under the impression that she cannot be controlled by the staff. She doesn’t appear to be right. As she rages against Genesis, the conqueror compels the entire Ring to turn on itself.
They devolve into challenges and warring, but it doesn’t last. Genesis gets ahold of the White Sword, and Lodus convinces Lactuca of the stars to send away the challengers. It will save their lives and damn their honor. Though reluctant, Lactuca agrees. With miraculous power, they send the rebels away and leave Genesis free to corrupt the council.
Genesis considers challenging Lactuca for the offense. Yet, in an interesting show of fear, she neglects to. Instead, she declares that the rebels ran. Weakness and cowardice, she decides. A damnable offense.
All the while, Genesis seeks to use the Arakki people as a general would lead her soldiers. Arakko is going to war.
In many ways, X-Men: Red #13 is X-Men Red at its best. The issue is a major return to form, featuring everything that has made Arakko unfathomably interesting: The distinct Arakki people, the theme of necessary cultural change, and the pressures of a society that has been at war for as long as it has existed.
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Storm is somewhat understated in the issue, yet her presence stands out all the same. Her presence brings a calming energy to a tumultuous Ring, and it is exactly why her absence will inevitably bring about some devastating consequences. X-Men: Red #13 also to light some of Storm’s flaws. She immediately assumes that she can defeat Annihilation, which only makes it more interesting when she cannot.
A unique element of this issue — and X-Men: Red #13 — is the distinct voices of the Arakki. It can be difficult to establish so many characters and afford them such different personalities, but Ewing hardly seems to struggle with it. Every character has their own motivations and purpose, and all are shrouded in a sense of mystery that keeps the comic engaging.
There are also numerous gags in the background, adding some humor to an otherwise tense issue. Ironfire struggling with Genesis’ vines helps to evolve a somewhat tired expositionary page into a genuine work of art.
All considering, it’s hard not to love X-Men: Red #13. The build-up to the upcoming Genesis War has been long and overdeveloped, but this issue truly makes it feel worth it. The careful characterization, brilliant designs, and interesting interactions evolve X-Men: Red #13 into something truly great. After a few low-lying issues, it’s nice to see the book come back to where it should be.
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