X-Men comic books
Categories
| Hellfire Gala | |
|---|---|
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| Genre | Superhero |
| Publication date | June 2021 |
| No. of issues | 12 |
| Main character(s) | X-Men |
| Collected editions | |
| X-Men: Hellfire Gala Red Carpet Edition | ISBN 978-1302931568 |
| X-Men: Hellfire Gala | ISBN 978-1302931155 |
"Hellfire Gala" is a comic book storyline published by Marvel Comics through the X-Men related title. It is the first storyline featured in the "Reign of X" relaunch after the "X of Swords" storyline.[1] It is a twelve-chapter storyline. Krakoa opens its gates to non-mutants to celebrate mutant culture at an evening party. The gala unveiled the new team of X-Men and showcased the terraforming of Mars into Planet Arrako.
The gala was first mentioned during a conversation between Emma Frost and Callisto when the former asked the latter to be the White Knight of the Hellfire Trading Company.[2]
Emma Frost asks Magneto to procure and develop an island as a secondary base of operations for the Hellfire Trading Company.[3]
Emma Frost invites the Inner Circle to the Island of Mykines and announces that they will be hosting mutantkind's first state dinner. Kitty Pryde sends the first invitation to the Homines Verendi.[4]
Cyclops and Jean Grey co-lead a new X-Men team; an election is to be held and the unveiling of the team is to be announced at the Hellfire Gala.[5]
Captain America meets with Cyclops at Westchester, questioning the expansion of Krakoa and mutant population.[6]
Magneto discusses his plans for Arakko to Isca the Unbeaten and the Quiet Council, and recruits Omega-level mutants from Krakoa and Arakko for the mission.[6]
The gala starts with an opening remark from Emma Frost and a telepathic concert performed by Rhapsody, Marvel Girl and the Five-in-One.[7]
During the gala, other things happen on the sidelines and elsewhere:
S.W.O.R.D. leader Abigail Brand meets with the galactic representatives to acknowledge Planet Arakko as the capital planet of the Sol System with Storm as the Queen Regent in exchange for a supply of mysterium.[17][24]
The murder of Scarlet Witch during the gala is the focus of Trial of Magneto.[12][25]
In addition, the Hellfire Gala of 2021 had Marvel Comics caricatures of actual celebrities as attendees to this event that consists of Scott Adsit, Pete Alonso, Steve Aoki, Saquon Barkley, DMC, Eminem, Kevin Feige, Nick Foles, Coco Gauff, Ira Glass, James Monroe Iglehart, Gabriel Iglesias, Aaron Judge, Jimmy Kimmel, Method Man, Jason Mantzoukas, Marc Maron, George R. R. Martin, Killer Mike, Alex Morgan, Seth Meyers, Conan O'Brien, Patton Oswalt, El-P, Adrianne Palicki, Megan Rapinoe, Paul Scheer, and Taboo.
| Issue | Release date | Writer(s) | Artist(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marauders #21 | June 2, 2021 | Gerry Duggan & Chris Claremont | Matteo Lolli & John Bolton |
| X-Force (vol. 6) #20 | Benjamin Percy | Joshua Cassara | |
| Hellions #12 | Zeb Wells | Stephen Segovia | |
| Excalibur (vol. 4) #21 | June 9, 2021 | Tini Howard | Marcus To |
| X-Men (vol. 5) #21 | Jonathan Hickman | Russell Dauterman, Nick Dragotta, Sara Pichelli & Lucas Werneck | |
| Planet-Sized X-Men #1 | June 16, 2021 | Gerry Duggan | Pepe Larraz |
| New Mutants (vol. 4) #19 | Vita Ayala | Alex Lins | |
| X-Corp #2 | Tini Howard | Alberto Foche | |
| Wolverine (vol. 7) #13 | June 23, 2021 | Benjamin Percy | Scot Eaton |
| S.W.O.R.D. (vol. 2) #6 | Al Ewing | Valerio Schiti | |
| Way of X #3 | Si Spurrier | Bob Quinn | |
| X-Factor (vol. 4) #10 | June 30, 2021 | Leah Williams | David Baldeón |
| Title | Material collected | Pages | Publication Date | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| X-Men: Hellfire Gala | collects Marauders (2019 Marvel) #21, X-Men (2019-2021 Marvel) #21, Planet-Size X-Men (2021 Marvel) #1, S.W.O.R.D. (2021 Marvel) #6 and material from X-Men Classic (1986-1995 Marvel) Classic X-Men #7. | 128 | January 2022 | Paperback: 978-1302931155 |
| X-Men: Hellfire Gala Red Carpet Edition | collects X-Men (2019) #21, Marauders (2019) 21, Excalibur (2019) #21, X-Force (2019) #20, New Mutants (2019) #19, X-Factor (2020) #10, Hellions (2020) #12, S.W.O.R.D. (2020) #6, Way of X (2021) #3, X-Corp (2021) #2, Wolverine (2020) #13, Planet-Size X-Men (2021) #1, Hellfire Gala Guide | 400 | December 14, 2021 | Paperback: 978-1302931568 |
The Hellfire Gala, modeled after the real-life Met Gala, is a fancy soiree where guests are expected to show up in high fashion. Most of the formal wear are designed by Russell Dauterman, Alberto Foche, Lucas Werneck, David Baldeón, Matteo Lolli, Stephen Segovia, Bob Quinn, Alex Lins, Valerio Schiti, Marcus To and Joshua Cassara. EW writers Christian Holub and Nick Romano ranked Emma Frost, Storm and Mystique as the best dressed characters in the event.[26]
The creative team agreed that the story and the party were a success.[27]
AIPT reviewer Lia Kolb stated that the storyline suffered from having the event's monumental announcement to be spoiled already by the previous issues in the event and the marketing itself.[28]
| Issue | Release date | Comic Book Roundup
Rating |
Estimate Sales to North American
retailers (first month)[29] |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marauders #21 | June 2, 2021 | 8.5 by 12 professional critics[30] | 64,517 |
| X-Force (vol. 6) #20 | 8.1 by 10 professional critics[31] | 53,754 | |
| Hellions #12 | 8.5 by 12 professional critics[32] | 46,810 | |
| Excalibur (vol. 4) #21 | June 9, 2021 | 7.5 by 7 professional critics[33] | 48,930 |
| X-Men (vol. 5) #21 | 8.0 by 13 professional critics[34] | 89,924 | |
| Planet-Sized X-Men #1 | June 16, 2021 | 8.2 by 19 professional critics[35] | 89.263 |
| New Mutants (vol. 4) #19 | 8.3 by 8 professional critics[36] | 49,448 | |
| X-Corp #2 | 8.0 by 6 professional critics[37] | 46,495 | |
| Wolverine (vol. 7) #13 | June 23, 2021 | 6.8 by 6 professional critics[38] | 78,545 |
| S.W.O.R.D. (vol. 2) #6 | 9.2 by 12 professional critics[39] | 44,069 | |
| Way of X #3 | 8.0 by 11 professional critics[40] | 49,644 | |
| X-Factor (vol. 4) #10 | June 30, 2021 | 7.0 by 8 professional critics[41] | 55,625 |
During Marvel's X-Men Comic-Con At Home panel on SDCC 2021, the X-Men creative team agreed that an annual Hellfire Gala and X-Men vote were warranted.[27]
A second X-Men election was announced with results revealed in the second Hellfire Gala.[42][43] The one-shot issue addressed the resurrection protocols becoming public knowledge and announced the new roster comprising Cyclops, Marvel Girl, Synch, Firestar, Magik, Forge, Havok and Iceman.[44]
A Marvel Comics caricature of Jon Hamm appeared as one of the Hellfire Gala attendees.
During Marvel's Judgment Day panel on SDCC 2022, Nick Lowe and C.B. Beluski revealed that plans for the X-Men extend to 2024 building towards what Jonathan Hickman planned before he left, including the third annual Hellfire Gala.[45] During the Next Big Thing panel on NYCC 2022, Lowe mentioned that there will be another Hellfire Gala before the Fall of X event.[46]
A third X-Men election was announced with the results to be revealed in the third Hellfire Gala.[47] The one-shot issue will launch the Fall of X event after a series of devastating revelations.[48] Marvel also announced that Kamala Khan's resurrection story will begin with the X-Men Hellfire Gala 2023 #1 one-shot scheduled for release on July 26, 2023.[49][50]
A Marvel Comics caricature of Declan Shalvey who served as Ireland's ambassador appeared as one of the Hellfire Gala attendees.