The “Age of Revelation” is in its second month, and each of the event titles is deep into its individual narrative with some intersecting and overlapping narratives between some of the books. For example, we see two different versions of Rogue: “Rogue Red” in Rogue Storm and “Rogue Green” in Unbreakable X-Men, who turned to stone following a battle with Galactus. We have also seen Doug Ramsey/Revelation appear in several books, including X-Men: World of Revelation and X-Men: Book of Revelation. One of the primary antagonists of the Cyclops led title Amazing X-Men is Illyana Rasputina, who has fully transformed into her Darkchild persona. (Fans interested in learning more about Illyana’s current circumstances should check out the current arc of the X-Men: Age of Revelation Infinity Comic.) Illyana also appears as an antagonist in Expatriate X-Men by Eve L. Ewing, who previously wrote the Kitty Pryde and Emma Frost co-led title Exceptional X-Men.
Expatriate X-Men primarily follows the next generation of mutants who were born into a world that hates and fears them, and must now contend in a world in which a mutant nation is ruled by an autocratic dictator. Kamala Khan/Ms. Marvel, Trista Marshall/Bronze, Thao Tran/Melee, and Reginald McNair III/Rift make up a team of mercenaries known as the Blue Dashers, who are working for Raven Darkholme/Mystique. The Blue Dashers sail around as part of a flotilla, giving the book a pirate vibe reminiscent of the Krakoa era title Marauders by Gerry Duggan. Francesco Mortarino’s art also gives the book an NYX feel, which Kamala Khan was prominently featured in and which Mortarino was also the artist on.
The title imagines a world in which there are new teachers or mentors to guide these young mutants, and they must instead learn to fend for themselves and rely on each other for survival. The only older X-Men character that is present is Piotr Rasputin/Colossus, but instead of Colossus being in charge, the captain of the Blue Dashers is Melee. Seeing Melee in this role is an exciting new development for the character and illustrates the great potential that her character possesses if given the opportunity to show what she is capable of. At the end of Expatriate X-Men #1, we learn that Melee has betrayed her crew and is secretly conspiring with someone who does not want the Blue Dasher’s latest target, Adrian Star/Lyrebird, to be delivered to Darkchild.
Bronze and Colossus share a tender moment together. Credit: Marvel Comics
Expatriate X-Men #2 opens with Bronze caring for and tending to Colossus, making sure that he eats and takes his meds. Colossus is in bad shape emotionally and mentally following the loss of Kitty Pryde, who is now in a permanent ghost form (see X-Men: Book of Revelation #2 for more about Kitty as the “Ghost of Philadelphia”). Bronze and Colossus’ dynamic is endearing and heartwarming, with Bronze even referring to Piotr as “Uncle Pete”. Trista and Piotr are both mutants whose mutation allows them to turn into organic steel, and I imagine that Colossus would be a natural mentor figure for Bronze, as they have similar power sets. Trista in particular demonstrates a sense of maturity in this scene that illustrates her growth since her introduction in Exceptional X-Men.
The action of the issue really kicks off when Shinobi Shaw, son of the Hellfire Club villain Sebastian Shaw, arrives with the Shaw Syndicate. Shaw attempts to extort the Blue Chasers before a fight breaks out between the Blue Chasers and the syndicate. During the fight, we discover that Lyrebird has a fire-based secondary mutation that greatly helps turn the tide in the battle. Kamala begins to distrust Adrian, questioning everything that he has told the Blue Chasers, leading to Kamala accusing Adrian of being a mole. An argument breaks out amongst the Blue Chasers when they cannot decide how to deal with Adrian. After Melee phases Adrian through the bottom of the ship. Kamala dives into the water to save him. While underwater, Kamala discovers a shocking secret that threatens to tear the Blue Chasers apart.
In the final issue of the series, the crew of the Dragonfly must face off against Darkchild in the Limbo Lands. Can the Blue Chasers band together to defeat Darkchild, or will lies and deception tear them apart? Why doesn’t Melee want to deliver Lyrebird to Darkchild, and who is she conspiring with? We’ll find out when Expatriate X-Men #3 hits shelves on December 24th.
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