It looks like 2023 will be a year of change for the X-Men and the mutants of the Marvel Universe. After the founding of Krakoa in 2019, everything seemed to change forever. In comics, forever can mean until the next reset to the status quo comes along. Still, it looks like the time is right for some new series.
One of the great things about the Krakoa era has been a focus on characters often ignored in the past, like Domino and Destiny. Unfortunately, they’re usually highlighted in team books and not solo books. If Krakoa is going to fall, it might be time to focus on some overlooked or forgotten X-Men in the coming year.
10/10 Cannonball Offers A New Focus On A Family Man
Cannonball, alias Sam Guthrie, is one of the few X-Men to marry outside the mutant community. His wife is Smasher of the Imperial Guard, and together they raise their son on Chandilar. It’s that relationship that provides the focus for solo adventures.
His wife’s responsibilities with the Imperial Guard often leave Sam as the caregiver for their son, Josiah. This allows for some domestic comedy and light drama, allowing a look at Shi’ar society and culture outside the influence of the throne. Think of it as a sci-fi sitcom.
9/10 Domino Had An Excellent Series Before Dawn of X
The time has come for some of the mutants that immigrated to Krakoa to return to the world, whether Krakoa falls or not. Domino had a posse that helped her collect on mercenary work. This posse does not have to return but shows how well Domino works with others.
Her time on Krakoa has strained her and some of the relationships she fostered on Krakoa. She might wish to reconnect in the outside world with Diamondback and Outlaw. Most of her journey might be rejoining the world after isolating herself for so long.
8/10 Madelyne Pryor Needs To Explore Her Soul
As a clone of Jean Grey, Madelyne Pryor has constantly questioned her role. Mister Sinister created her to bear a child with Scott Summers. Once she did that, she was cast aside and used by the demon N’Astirh to fuel Inferno. She’s become the clone trying to find purpose.
A solo series hinges on how she comes out of “Dark Web.” It looks like her role is working out her identity after so long. She needs to be the protagonist in this story, but she’s cast as the villain. A solo series can fix that.
7/10 Daken Has Proven Himself A Hero
One mutant proved himself redeemable after relocating to Krakoa. Daken started bonding with his father, Wolverine, and began to help with X-Factor Investigations. While with X-Factor, Daken started a relationship with Aurora, showing a softer side of his personality.
Daken retained his killer instincts but became loyal to his teammates. He comforted Eye-Boy and was there as his former lover Somnus resurrected on Krakoa after living a long life. He, Aurora, and Somnus joined the Marauders, and on one mission to Shi’ar space, he and Aurora fought one of the Kin Crimson that assassinated Empress Xandra. The Shi’ar awarded him the title of a Shi’ar Guardian for bringing the traitor to justice.
6/10 Dazzler Is Overdue For Another Solo Series
Dazzler is a mutant with a devoted fan following. Her spectacular ability to transform sound into light lends itself to modern comics. She’s contributed to many X-Men teams and is very adept at using her powers.
Her solo series could have a tone like IDW’s Jem and the Holograms, having a story that resolves around Dazzler’s music. If she has a little success, it can help carry her into new situations that only she can get into, like the vampires in X-Terminators.
5/10 Firestar Deserves A Series To Build On Her Past
Firestar has a long history and recognition with a generation of X-Men fans from her debut in the animated Spider-Man and his Amazing Friends. That team-up of her, Iceman, and Spider-Man gets recreated in stories for nostalgia. She’s even popular enough to win the annual fan vote for the newest member of the X-Men.
She’s also been on the Avengers, the New Warriors, and several other teams not quite as well-known. It’s been long enough that her life needs to be the story rather than the subplot. She’s earned that much.
4/10 Destiny’s Story Can Focus On Her Present And Past
Destiny’s resurrection elevated her from a footnote in Mystique’s bio to a more fleshed-out character. Her power is often demonstrated in combat because she sees possible futures, with her accuracy improving the closer it is to the present. A solo series can explore what Immortal X-Men touched upon and how her power affects her mind.
There’s also the issue of how she reacted to the times Mystique was off on solo adventures or having relationships with Sabretooth, Azazel, and Baron Christian Wagner. Of course, this would run parallel to adventures taking place in the present. It can parallel problems in her current relationships.
3/10 Cable Not Having A Series Is Criminal
Newer readers might not realize that Cable was once one of Marvel’s hottest characters. In recent years, he floundered with finding a direction. Kept solo, his purpose becomes clear. He’s a man from a dark future, seeing all the signs of it coming true, and he wants to stop it.
He now has the advantage of allies that he can call on. Originally, Cable would deceive others of his goals, sowing distrust among those he asked for help. That kept him detached from people he knew as legends. That is what makes a solo series for Cable necessary. He’s the only person who has seen the darkest future, so it’s his responsibility to stop it.
2/10 Storm Needs A Regular Solo Book To Show How Awesome She Truly Is
Storm gets the spotlight in any team she’s a part of. If Krakoa and Arakko are going to fall, she has an opportunity to explore her identity as a person. She’s been a queen, a goddess, and a soldier. Perhaps it’s time to show her returning to a role she had very early: an outlaw.
It’s possible that the fall of Krakoa could see many of its leaders demonized for their role in unpopular events. With Magneto and Apocalypse dead, there are few scapegoats for Krakoa’s political enemies. As one of the architects of the transformation of Mars into Arakko, Storm looks to be a likely candidate.
1/10 Emma Frost Needs To Get Back To High Society Adventure
Emma Frost has shone in Marauders but needs a solo series to detail her return to society. She’s demonstrated ruthlessness in business, but if the fall of Krakoa is coming, she might need to capitalize on her political and social connections to avoid persecution and likely prosecution. It’s also possible she’ll try to offer a haven to those mutants close to her.
Kate Pryde might be too high-profile for Emma’s supporting cast. The Cuckoos are perfect, with Emma taking every opportunity to teach the girls about business and navigating society. Jumbo Carnation can remain on Emma’s staff, allowing for the development of an overlooked minor character. Emma Frost might even surprise with the addition of mutants fans might not expect. Imagine Buford Hollis acting as her chauffeur or Ashley Crawford crossing her path in high society.
