Hellfire Gala Explained

Genre:Superhero
Publisher:Marvel Comics
Startmo:June
Startyr:2021
Issues:12
Main Char Team:X-Men
Tpb:X-Men: Hellfire Gala Red Carpet Edition
Isbn:978-1302931568
Isbn2:978-1302931155
Tpb2:X-Men: Hellfire Gala

"Hellfire Gala" was initially a 12-part X-Men comic book storyline published by Marvel Comics in June 2021. It is the first storyline featured in the "Reign of X" relaunch after the "X of Swords" storyline.[1] 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.

It subsequently became an annual event in the Krakoan Age with the one-shots X-Men: Hellfire Gala #1 published in July 2022 and X-Men Hellfire Gala 2023 #1 published in July 2023.[2] In the lead up to each Hellfire Gala, Marvel conducted a fan vote to decide on members of the new X-Men team.[3] [4]

Publication history

Hellfire Gala (2021)

The Hellfire Gala and an X-Men election was initially teased in issues such as Marauders #7 and #10 and X-Men #16.[5] [6] [7] In January 2021, Marvel then announced a fan election to choose the members of the new Krakoan X-Men team.[8] In April 2021, the team roster was revealed: Cyclops, Jean Grey, Polaris, Sunfire, Synch, Wolverine (Laura Kinney), Rogue.[9] An in-universe election was also held which showcased how various mutants voted and reactions to the results.[10] [11]

These X-Men would debut in Planet-Sized X-Men #1 (June 2021), written by Gerry Duggan with art by Pepe Larraz, during the twelve part Hellfire Gala event storyline.[12] The Hellfire Gala was inspired by the Met Gala; Russell Dauterman designed the costumes for many of the X-Men characters who appeared in the event.[13] In addition, the Hellfire Gala 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.[14]

Hellfire Gala (2022)

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.[15]

A second X-Men election was announced with results revealed in the second Hellfire Gala.[16] [17] [18] 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.[19]

A Marvel Comics caricature of Jon Hamm appeared as one of the Hellfire Gala attendees.[20] [21]

Hellfire Gala (2023)

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.[22] During the Next Big Thing panel on NYCC 2022, Lowe mentioned that there will be another Hellfire Gala before the Fall of X event.[23] It was written by Gerry Duggan, with art by Adam Kubert, Luciano Vecchio, Matteo Lolli, Russell Dauterman, Javier Pina, R.B. Silva, Joshua Cassara, Kris Anka, and Pepe Larraz.[24]

A third X-Men election was announced with the results to be revealed in the third Hellfire Gala.[25] The one-shot issue would launch the Fall of X event after a series of devastating revelations.[26] Marvel also announced that Kamala Khan's resurrection story would begin with the X-Men Hellfire Gala 2023 #1 one-shot that was released on July 26, 2023.[27] [28]

A Marvel Comics caricature of Declan Shalvey who served as Ireland's ambassador appeared as one of the Hellfire Gala attendees.[29] [30]

Plot

Hellfire Gala

Lead-up

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.[31] Emma Frost asks Magneto to procure and develop an island as a secondary base of operations for the Hellfire Trading Company.[32] Emma 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.[33]

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.[34] Captain America meets with Cyclops at Westchester, questioning the expansion of Krakoa and mutant population. 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.

Event timeline

The gala starts with an opening remark from Emma Frost and a telepathic concert performed by Rhapsody, Marvel Girl, and the Five-in-One.[35]

During the gala, other things happen on the sidelines and elsewhere:

Aftermath

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.[53]

The murder of Scarlet Witch during the gala is the focus of Trial of Magneto.[54]

Characters

Second Annual Hellfire Gala

The mutant resurrection protocols remained a secret from the world until X-Men #12 (June 2022), during the Destiny of X phase, when reporter Ben Urich broke the news of the mutant resurrection in the Daily Bugle after interviewing Cyclops.[55] [56] [57] The attendees of the Hellfire Gala ended up focusing on this revelation when the event "was meant to highlight mutant contributions to medicine". Emma Frost "telepathically conducted the second annual X-Men election. While Rogue, Laura Kinney’s Wolverine, Polaris, and Sunfire stepped away from the team, Cyclops, Jean Grey, and Synch successfully asked to be re-elected. After Firestar was nominated to join the group, Forge, Havok, Magik, and Iceman were also elected to round out the team".

Issues involved

IssueRelease dateWriter(s)Artist(s)
Marauders #21June 2, 2021[58]
X-Force (vol. 6) #20Benjamin PercyJoshua Cassara
Hellions #12Zeb WellsStephen Segovia
Excalibur (vol. 4) #21June 9, 2021Tini HowardMarcus To
X-Men (vol. 5) #21Jonathan Hickman
Planet-Sized X-Men #1June 16, 2021Gerry DugganPepe Larraz
New Mutants (vol. 4) #19Vita AyalaAlex Lins
X-Corp #2Tini HowardAlberto Foche
Wolverine (vol. 7) #13June 23, 2021Benjamin PercyScot Eaton
S.W.O.R.D. (vol. 2) #6Al EwingValerio Schiti
Way of X #3Si SpurrierBob Quinn
X-Factor (vol. 4) #10June 30, 2021Leah WilliamsDavid Baldeón
X-Men: Hellfire Gala (2022) #1July 13, 2022Gerry Duggan[59]
X-Men: Hellfire Gala (2023) #1July 26, 2023[60]

Collected issues

TitleMaterial collectedPagesPublication DateISBN
X-Men: Hellfire GalaMarauders (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 #7.128January 2022Paperback:
X-Men: Hellfire Gala Red Carpet EditionX-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 Guide400December 14, 2021Paperback:

Reception

Fashion

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.[61]

Storyline

The creative team agreed that the story and the party were a success.

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.[62]

Print sales

IssueRelease dateComic Book RoundupRatingEstimate Sales to North Americanretailers (first month)[63]
Marauders #21June 2, 20218.5 by 12 professional critics[64] 64,517
X-Force (vol. 6) #208.1 by 10 professional critics[65] 53,754
Hellions #128.5 by 12 professional critics[66] 46,810
Excalibur (vol. 4) #21June 9, 20217.5 by 7 professional critics[67] 48,930
X-Men (vol. 5) #218.0 by 13 professional critics[68] 89,924
Planet-Sized X-Men #1June 16, 20218.2 by 19 professional critics[69] 89,263
New Mutants (vol. 4) #198.3 by 8 professional critics[70] 49,448
X-Corp #28.0 by 6 professional critics[71] 46,495
Wolverine (vol. 7) #13June 23, 20216.8 by 6 professional critics[72] 78,545
S.W.O.R.D. (vol. 2) #69.2 by 12 professional critics[73] 44,069
Way of X #38.0 by 11 professional critics[74] 49,644
X-Factor (vol. 4) #10June 30, 20217.0 by 8 professional critics[75] 55,625

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The Future of Mutantkind Is Revealed in 'Planet-Size X-Men' #1. 2021-06-05. Marvel Entertainment. en.
  2. Web site: Webber . Tim . July 12, 2023 . The Hellfire Gala, Explained . 2024-06-11 . Marvel.
  3. Web site: Grunenwald . Joe . 2022-01-10 . Marvel announces another X-Men vote and Hellfire Gala . 2024-06-11 . The Beat . en-US.
  4. Web site: Johnston . Rich . 2023-07-26 . Juggernaut & The Election of The New X-Men (Hellfire Gala XSpoilers) . 2024-06-11 . . en.
  5. Web site: Johnston . Rich . 2020-12-29 . The Big Summer 2021 X-Men Event - With The Hellfire Gala? (Spoilers) . 2024-06-11 . . en.
  6. Web site: Johnston . Rich . 2020-12-30 . Democracy Comes To Krakoa? (X-Men #16 Spoilers) . 2024-06-11 . . en.
  7. Web site: Erdmann . Kevin . 2021-01-06 . Marvel's New X-Men Will Be Chosen in A Brand New Way . 2024-06-11 . ScreenRant . en.
  8. Holub . Christian . January 27, 2021 . Marvel will let fans choose a member of the next X-Men comic team . 2024-06-11 . . en.
  9. Marvel unveils the full, surprising lineup of new X-Men team . 2024-06-11 . . en.
  10. April 15, 2021 . Marvel reveals the winner of its fan vote to choose the newest X-Men team member . 2024-06-11 . . en.
  11. Web site: Zachary . Brandon . 2021-06-16 . Marvel's Hellfire Gala Reveals Which X-Men the New Mutants Voted For . 2024-06-11 . CBR . en.
  12. Web site: Erdmann . Kevin . 2021-03-17 . X-Men's 'Hellfire Gala' Will Change Marvel's Future in One Night . 2024-06-11 . ScreenRant . en.
  13. March 16, 2021 . See how the X-Men glow up for Marvel's version of the Met Gala . 2024-06-11 . . en.
  14. X-Men Vol. 5 #21. Marvel Comics.
  15. Web site: Marston . George . 23 July 2021 . X-Men creators want to hold a new Hellfire Gala - and a new X-Men team election - every year . 2021-07-24 . . en.
  16. Web site: Vote in the 2022 X-Men Election Today. 2022-01-14. Marvel Entertainment. en.
  17. Web site: 'Hellfire Gala 2022 Official Guide' Cordially Invites You to Krakoa's Biggest Event of the Year . 2022-07-04 . Marvel Entertainment . en.
  18. January 10, 2022 . Marvel announces second X-Men fan election: Vote now! . 2024-06-11 . . en.
  19. X-Men: Hellfire Gala #1
  20. Web site: Johnston . Rich . 2022-07-17 . Of Course Jon Hamm & Emma Frost Were An Item - X-Men's Hellfire Gala . 2024-06-13 . bleedingcool.com . en.
  21. Web site: Dodge . John . 2022-07-15 . Jon Hamm Has Officially Joined the Marvel Comics Universe . 2024-06-13 . CBR . en.
  22. Web site: 2022-07-23 . Avengers, X-Men, Eternals clash in Marvel's Judgment Day panel at SDCC '22 . 2022-07-24 . Popverse . en.
  23. Web site: Gribbin . Sean . 2022-10-08 . NYCC: Marvel Discusses the Future of Spider-Man and X-Men . 2022-10-08 . CBR . en-US.
  24. Web site: Lapin-Bertone . Joshua . 2023-07-31 . The Marvel U has just changed the future of the X-Men . 2024-06-07 . Popverse . en.
  25. Web site: Marvel's 2023 X-Men Election Begins Now . 2023-05-17 . Marvel Entertainment.
  26. Web site: The Fall of X Begins at This Year's Hellfire Gala . 2023-05-17 . Marvel Entertainment.
  27. Web site: Salmon . Will . July 14, 2023 . Back from the dead! Ms. Marvel is reborn as a mutant . July 14, 2023 . . en.
  28. Web site: July 14, 2023 . The Heart of the Marvel Universe Will Be Reborn in 'Ms. Marvel: The New Mutant' Comic Book Series . 2023-07-14 . Marvel Entertainment . Press release.
  29. Web site: Thornley . Tony . Reck . Adam . Turetsky . Mark . Babu . Armaan . Peppard . Anna . Jones . Jude . Burt . Stephanie . Gorton . Austin . Secundus . Rob . 2023-07-27 . Some Bad Looks, and We Don't Mean the Fashion, at the X-Men's Hellfire Gala . 2024-06-13 . COMICSXF . en-US.
  30. Web site: Johnston . Rich . 2023-07-27 . The X-Men's Hellfire Gala, Ms Marvel, And Where Did Everyone Go? . 2024-06-13 . bleedingcool.com . en.
  31. Marauders #7. Marvel Comics.
  32. Giant Size-X-Men: Magneto #1. Marvel Comics.
  33. Marauders #17. Marvel Comics.
  34. X-Men (vol. 5) #16. Marvel Comics.
  35. Marauders #21
  36. X-Corp #2. Marvel Comics.
  37. X-Force (vol. 6) #20
  38. X-Men (vol. 5) #21. Marvel Comics.
  39. Excalibur (vol. 4) #21. Marvel Comics.
  40. X-Factor (vol. 4) #10. Marvel Comics.
  41. Wolverine (vol. 7) #13–14. Marvel Comics.
  42. Hellions #12. Marvel Comics.
  43. Planet-Sized X-Men #1. Marvel Comics.
  44. Way of X #3. Marvel Comics.
  45. Marvel's Voices: Pride #1. Marvel Comics.
  46. S.W.O.R.D. (vol. 2) #6. Marvel Comics.
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  50. Marauders Annual #1. Marvel Comics.
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  52. New Mutants (vol. 4) #21. Marvel Comics.
  53. Guardians of the Galaxy (vol. 6) #15. Marvel Comics.
  54. Web site: A Shocking Murder at the Hellfire Gala Leads into... The Trial of Magneto. 2021-06-15. Marvel Entertainment. en.
  55. Web site: Johnson . Jim . June 28, 2022 . The X-Men's Biggest Secret Was Just Revealed to the Marvel Universe . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221105181257/https://www.cbr.com/x-men-mutant-resurrection-secret-revealed-ben-urich/ . November 5, 2022 . June 7, 2024 . CBR . en.
  56. Web site: Dodge . John . June 27, 2022 . The X-Men are About to Relive Their Worst Nightmares All Over Again . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221010074757/https://www.cbr.com/x-men-resurrection-public-knowledge-human-fears-marvel/ . October 10, 2022 . June 7, 2024 . CBR . en.
  57. Web site: Cacciatore . Francesco . June 27, 2022 . The X-Men Reboot's Big Secret Has Been Exposed (And Will Destroy Them) . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230203174032/https://screenrant.com/xmen-immortal-secret-revealed-marvel-comics/ . February 3, 2023 . June 7, 2024 . ScreenRant . en.
  58. Web site: Webber . Tim . 2021-06-01 . The Hellfire Gala: Everything to Know About the X-Men's Next Event . 2024-06-11 . CBR . en.
  59. Web site: X-Men: Hellfire Gala (2022) #1 . 2024-06-11 . Marvel . en.
  60. Web site: X-Men: Hellfire Gala (2023) #1 . 2024-06-11 . Marvel . en.
  61. Web site: Rating the X-Men's high-fashion Hellfire Gala outfits. 2021-07-24. EW.com. en.
  62. Web site: Kolb. Lia. 'Planet-Size X-Men' #1 review • AIPT. 16 June 2021 . 2021-07-24. en-US.
  63. Web site: Comichron: June 2021 Comic Book Sales to Comics Shops . 2022-07-04 . www.comichron.com.
  64. Web site: Marauders #21 Reviews . 2022-07-04 . ComicBookRoundup.com . en-US.
  65. Web site: X-Force #20 Reviews . 2022-07-04 . ComicBookRoundup.com . en-US.
  66. Web site: Hellions #12 Reviews . 2022-07-04 . ComicBookRoundup.com . en-US.
  67. Web site: Excalibur #21 Reviews . 2022-07-04 . ComicBookRoundup.com . en-US.
  68. Web site: X-Men #21 Reviews . 2022-07-04 . ComicBookRoundup.com . en-US.
  69. Web site: Planet-Size X-Men (2021) Reviews . 2022-07-04 . ComicBookRoundup.com . en-US.
  70. Web site: New Mutants #19 Reviews . 2022-07-04 . ComicBookRoundup.com . en-US.
  71. Web site: X-Corp #2 Reviews . 2022-07-04 . ComicBookRoundup.com . en-US.
  72. Web site: Wolverine #13 Reviews . 2022-07-04 . ComicBookRoundup.com . en-US.
  73. Web site: S.W.O.R.D. #6 Reviews . 2022-07-04 . ComicBookRoundup.com . en-US.
  74. Web site: Way of X #3 Reviews . 2022-07-04 . ComicBookRoundup.com . en-US.
  75. Web site: X-Factor #10 Reviews . 2022-07-04 . ComicBookRoundup.com . en-US.