Contains spoilers for Mystique (2024) #1!THE X-Men’s The now-ended Krakoan era has fueled much debate among fans, but a new comic has seemingly killed off a character who was vitally important to the world of Mutants just a few months ago.
Whether they’re actually dead or not, this moment raises questions about the shock value in mainstream comics and what even an off-the-cuff decision can represent when it comes to a franchise intertwined with real-life oppression. The recently released Mystique (#1 ended with a shocking beat like the comic apparently kills Mystique’s wife, Destiny.
The edition focuses on two interconnected narratives. Mystique is in search of the mysterious ‘Protozoan’ and catches the attention of Nick Fury Jr., who with Fury Sr’s encouragement (or not?) decides that a dangerous mutant like her cannot play spy without his permission. . Mystique tries to kill Fury, who in retaliation takes a S.H.I.E.L.D. squad to a cabin owned by Mystique, but accidentally end up shooting Destiny..
Mystique Comic Released Killing His Wife, Destiny
Mystique and Destiny’s relationship was one of the most important aspects of the recently ended Krakoan Era of the X-Men, which means it’s sure to raise eyebrows. The Krakoan project was the brainchild of Moira MacTaggert, who insisted that precognitive mutants like Destiny could not be resurrected with her fellow Mutants (as they could predict their plans). Mystique, rejected by Krakoa’s ostensible mentors Professor X and Magneto, decided to do so and resurrected Destiny on her own terms.
Fate then became the key (and holder) to the X’s Fate status quo, waging a precognitive cold war against the machinations of Mister Sinister and the near-omniscient Enigma while serving on Krakoa’s ruling Quiet Council. All along, Fate was predicting Mystique the death, and Destiny’s attempts to hide it from her wife (and avoid it by any means possible) only tore the couple apart in tragic irony. Now, this is the first time readers have seen Destiny or Mystique in post-Krakoan From the ashes status quo, and it’s an alarming start.
Is Fate really dead in the Marvel universe?
However, Destiny’s death in Mystique #1 is almost certainly a scam. Fate is literally precognitive; she won’t be caught off guard by Nick Fury and his squad of henchmen. The comic also takes great care not to show Destiny’s face, not that she has a particularly consistent design under the mask. In addition to all this, Mystique #1 is a comic about a literal shapeshifter and it’s already full of fakes, with Mystique pretending to be various people. Could she and Destiny have planned this together? Could it be Destiny acting alone to motivate his wife?
Taking all of this into consideration, it’s impossible to ignore the book’s place in a medium that relies on last-page twists, shocking revelations, or red herrings to keep readers on board. But when it is also common for a publisher or creative team to deliberately stir up controversy, the end of Mystique #1 it’s sure to leave a bad taste in some fans’ mouths. With Destiny and Mystique being one of the most visible queer relationships in comics, a decision like this isn’t without criticism for pretending to “cool down” a prominent queer character, no matter what story comes next.
Destiny and Mystique’s Relationship Is Important for More Than Comics
The relationship between Destiny and Mystique was doubly important to Krakoa on a metatextual level. In the 1980s, editorial practices meant that their relationship couldn’t be confirmed on the page, even when creators like Chris Claremont openly hinted at it. By centering this strange romance, Krakoa showed how far the franchise had come and made the couple a fan-favorite pair. If this issue truly killed Destiny, the issue makes a metatextual statement of its own, whether intentional or not. Welcome to a new, modern era of the 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 a significant commentary, as powerful, heteronormative characters discarded an iconic lesbian relationship to build Moira’s “perfect” society. If Destiny has once again been sidelined, and her and Mystique’s marriage along with it, then fans will have to decide what message Mystique are you saying? At best, the book’s creative team doesn’t want to write the relationship out, or they would prefer Destiny dead for the purposes of their story. Destiny and Mystique were more visible than ever Mystique it started. By apparently destroying this in its first issue, Mystique #2 You will have a lot to prove or a lot to answer for.
Mystique #1 It’s on sale now at Marvel Comics.