Contains spoilers for Mystique (2024) #1!The X-Men The now-ending Krakoan era fueled many fan debates, but one new comic has just seemingly killed off a character who was vitally important to the world of mutants just a few months ago.
Whether they’re really dead or not, the moment raises questions about shock value in mainstream comics, and what even an off-hand decision can represent when dealing with a franchise intertwined with real-life oppression. The recently released Mystic (#1 Has ended on a shocking beat like The comic apparently kills off Mystique’s wife Destiny.
This issue focuses on two interconnected stories. Mystique is looking for the mysterious ‘protozoa’, and catches the attention of Nick Fury Jr., who with the encouragement of Fury Sr (or is it?) decides that a dangerous mutant like you can’t play spy without being told so. Mystique tries to kill Fury, who in retaliation, accepts A SHIELD squad to a cabin owned by Mystique, but accidentally ends up shooting Destiny instead.
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Mystique’s comic launches by killing her wife, Destiny
Mystique and Destiny’s relationship was one of the most important aspects of the recently concluded Krakoan era of the X-Men, which means it’s sure to raise eyebrows. The Krakoan project was dreamed up by Moira MacTaggert, who insisted that precognitive mutants like Destiny could not be resurrected with their fellow mutants (because they could foresee her plans). Mystique, rejected by Krakoa’s alleged masterminds Professor X and Magneto, took it upon herself to do so instead and resurrected Destiny on her own terms.
Destiny then became key (and titular) to the Future of X Status Quo, fighting a precognitive cold war against the machinations of Mister Sister and the almost omniscient Enigma while serving on Krakoa’s ruling Silent Council. All the while, destiny was predicting Mystic Death, and Destiny’s attempts to hide this from her wife (and prevent it by any means) only drive the couple apart in a tragic irony. Now, this is the first time readers have seen either Destiny or Mystique in the post-Krakoan from the ashes Status quo, and it’s off to an alarming start.
Is Destiny Really Dead in Marvel’s Universe?
However, Destiny’s death in Mystic #1 is almost certainly a fake out. Future is literally precognitive; She won’t be caught unawares by Nick Fury and his goon squad. The comic is also very careful not to show Destiny’s face, not that she has a particularly consistent plan under her mask. on top of all that, Mystic #1 is a comic about a literal closet shifter and is already full of fake-outs, with Mystique pretending to be multiple people. Could she and Destiny have planned this together? Is it Destiny acting alone to motivate her wife?
With all that in mind, it’s impossible to ignore the book’s place in a medium that relies on last-page twists, shocking reveals, or red herrings to keep readers on board. But when it is too common for a publisher or creative team to deliberately provoke controversy, the end of Mystic #1 Is sure to leave a bad taste in the mouth of some fans. With Destiny and Mystique one of the most visibly queer relationships in comics, a decision like this isn’t above criticism for pretending to ‘freeze’ a prominent queer character, no matter what story comes next.
Destiny and Mystic’s relationship is important to more than comics
Destiny and Mystic’s relationship was doubly important to Krakoa on a metatextual level. In the 1980s, editorial practices meant that their relationship could not be confirmed on the page, even while creators like Chris Claremont overtly hinted at it. By centering this quirky romance, Krakoa showed how far the franchise had come, and made the couple a fan-favorite couple. If the issue really did kill Destiny, the issue makes a metatextual statement of itself, whether intentional or not. Welcome to a new, modern era of X-Men… ‘But not you, Destiny and Mystique.’
When Xavier, Magneto and Moira refused to bring Destiny back to life, it was seen and discussed as meaningful commentary, how strong, heteronormative characters dismissed an iconic lesbian relationship to build Moira’s ‘perfect’ society. If Destiny is swept aside again, and her and Mystique’s wedding along with it, fans will have to decide what message Mystic is saying In the best case, the creative team of the book does not want to write the relationship, or would prefer Destiny dead for the purpose of their story. Destiny and mysticism were more visible than ever before Mystic started. By seemingly destroying that in its first issue, Mystic #2 Will have much to prove, or much to answer.
Mystic #1 is now on sale from Marvel Comics.