There are many different iterations of theX-Men,but it has been a while since fans have seen the “Dark X-Men”; now, though Marvel has teased the return of the team, though exactly how, and exactly when the team will make a comeback, and what their roster will look like this time, all remain to be determined.
InSentinels#5 – written by Alex Paknadel with art by Justin Mason –the precognitive Lawrence Traskpredicts that “in the future, the Dark X-Men will rise,” signaling that a new version of that team is on the way.
The original Dark X-Men debuted as part ofDark Reign, the Marvel status quo where Norman Osborn took over the United States. That team was Osborn’s answer to the regular X-Men, consisting of a combination of anti-heroes, supervillains and press-ganged mutant misfits. The original team didn’t last beyond Osborn’s tenure inDark Reign, though the name has been used since.
Marvel Confirms That There Is A new Version Of The Dark X-Men Coming
Sentinels#5 – Written By Alex Paknadel; Art By Justin Mason; Color By Federico Blee; Lettering By Travis Lanham
There is already one candidate that could qualify as the ‘Dark X-Men’ out there; Marvel’s preview forX-Men#16 – written by Jed Mackay with art by Netho Diaz –has revealed the ‘3K X-Men’, a team put together by the mysterious villains known as 3K, who have found a way to artificially create mutants. Maybe this is the Dark X-Men team that Lawrence is referring to. If so, it’d be a little bit of a letdown just to have the title taken by a team that seems custom-made to fight the current X-Men, but not much more than that.
Maybe Doom will mirror Osborn even further by creating his own team of Dark X-Men.
Alternatively, this could also be closer to the classic Dark X-Men. Marvel’s currentOne World Under Doomevent features Doctor Doom taking over the whole world, in a move that feels very reminiscent ofDark Reign. Maybe Doom will mirror Osborn even further by creating his ownteam of Dark X-Men. Doomdid have his own mutant teamduring theFall of Xstatus quo, so it is not out of the question. The only thing that makes this less likely is thatOne World Under Doomcan only last so long, and no Doom team has been announced.
X-Men Fans Are On The Edge Of Their Seats Waiting For More “Dark X-Men” News
A New Incarnation Is Coming, But Readers Don’t Know Who Yet
The other question is whether this new Dark X-Men team will be important enough to get their own title. The current lineup of X-Books are already cutting their first titles withthe conclusionof X-Factor, X-Force,andNYX, all l so there is room for some new announcements. However, if this just turns out to be the 3K team, then there is less chance they’ll get their own book.Dark X-Men could be a big series, or it could just be a cool name within anotherX-Menbook; readers will just have to wait and see.
Marvel’s Perfect DARK X-MEN Team Unite in Genius Team Cosplay
Three of the darkest X-Men collide in a group cosplay that showcases a team that would be nigh-unstoppable, if occasionally a little immoral.
Sentinels#5is available now from Marvel Comics.
X-Men
The X-Men franchise, created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, centers on mutants with extraordinary abilities. Led by the powerful telepath Professor Charles Xavier, they battle discrimination and villainous mutants threatening humanity. The series explores themes of diversity and acceptance through a blend of action, drama, and complex characters, spanning comics, animated series, and blockbuster films.
