X-Men #16 establishes a whole new democratic status quo for the mutant team - spoilers

Page from X-Men #16
(Image credit: Marvel Comics)

This week's X-Men #16 from writer Jonathan Hickman and artist Phil Notoꦗ gives a new status quo not just to the mutant islands of Krakoa and Arakko, but to the venerable X-Men themselves, with a new version of the team in the works.

The issue constitutes one of the f🐲irst glimpses at overall Krakoan society post-'X of Swords,' including some surprising twists o꧑n expected outcomes.

Spoilers ahead for X-Men #16

X-Men #16 opens with Doug Ramsey facilitating a meeting between the living islands of Krakoa and Arakk🤪o, with the latter having fully manifested next to Krakoa through the Et🍷ernal Gate. With both islands and their cultures having evolved separately for thousands of years, the islands don't even speak the same language – let alone share the same values.

Back on Krakoa, Magneto and Xavier seek to fill the vacant seats of the Quiet Council with Scott Summers and Jean Grey – however, they refuse. Instead, they intend to form a new, official X-Men team to represent Krakoan interests in the world abroad as mutant superheroes, operating somewhat outside the jurisdiction of the Quiet Council – though Scott says they can ♐still call on him as a 'Great Captain' to lead Krakoan forces.

As for who will make up the ranks of the new X-Meꦉn, Scott💞 hits on a novel idea – rather than unilaterally asking mutants to join him, the citizens of Krakoa will vote on who makes up the X-Men.

X-Men #17 is due out January 27.

Stay up to date on the X-Men's adventures with our listing of all the X-Men comics Marvel has planned through March, 2021.

I've b💫een Newsarama's resident Marvel Comics expert and general comic book historian since 2011. I've also been the on-site reporter at most major comic conventions such as Comic-Con International: San Diego, New York Comic Con, and C2E2. Outside of comic journalism, I am the artist of many weird pictures, and the guitarist of many heavy riffs. (They/Them)