Celebrating the End of the Krakoan Era and the Dawn of “From the Ashes”
As the Krakoan Era of the X-Men draws to a close, fans are invited to celebrate both the conclusion of one chapter and the beginning of another, aptly named “From the Ashes.” To mark this pivotal transition, renowned artist Scott Koblish has crafted an extraordinary tribute through his art. Spanning four different X-Men covers, Koblish’s wraparound design showcases an impressive array of nearly every significant character in the X-Men universe, from Jean Grey to the lesser-known Sugar Man. This stunning piece honors the 60-year legacy of X-Men publications in a way that is both grand and detailed.
A Legacy Spanning Six Decades
The X-Men first leaped from the pages of Marvel Comics in 1963, thanks to the creative genius of writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby. Over the ensuing decades, these “Merry Mutants” have become one of Marvel’s most cherished and far-reaching franchises. Scott Koblish, already known for his work on a similar cover for The Fantastic Four, has now brought his immense talent to this expansive X-Men art. His creation covers eight full-sized comic covers, wrapping around the front and back of X-Men #35, X-Men #1, Uncanny X-Men #1, and Exceptional X-Men #1, all the while highlighting hundreds of iconic X-Men characters.
Koblish’s In-depth Tribute to X-Men Characters
Koblish’s wraparound cover is nothing short of a masterpiece, celebrating the X-Men franchise with its detailed inclusion of every character who has appeared in a mainline X-Men comic, spin-off, or limited series. The X-Men’s adventures have taken them across various alliances and conflicts, featuring teams such as the Shi’ar, Alpha Flight, X-Calibur, and Magneto’s Brotherhood—all of which make appearances in the connecting cover. Villains like Onslaught, Joseph, Selene, and various Sentinels also find their place, alongside lesser-known antagonists like Wendingo and Stryfe.
Moreover, Koblish captures different iterations of beloved characters from distinct eras. While fans can spot the “normal” versions of heroes like Colossus and Cyclops, they will also find Phoenix-infused depictions from the Phoenix Five event. The artwork doesn’t stop at X-Men characters alone; it also incorporates heroes from other major franchises that have intersected with the X-Men, such as members of The Fantastic Four, various Avengers, and Spider-Man. On a cosmic scale, the piece features beings like the Beyonder, the Watcher, and the Magus, all of whom have had interactions with the X-Men at different points in their storied history.
Discovering Hidden Gems in the Art
Exploring Koblish’s X-Men covers is an adventure filled with both familiar faces and unexpected surprises. For fans, it’s akin to a “Where’s Waldo?” experience, as they search for obscure characters woven into the intricate artwork. Some of the most delightful hidden gems include X-Statix hero Doop, Nightcrawler’s mother Margali Szardos, the whimsical X-Babies, Magneto’s robotic torturer Nanny, and the tragic D’Bari, victims of Jean Grey as Dark Phoenix.
The sheer number of characters, from fleeting cameos to the original five X-Men, speaks to the complexity and dedication required to create this connecting cover. It’s likely that Scott Koblish spent weeks, if not months, bringing this monumental artwork to life. Be sure to explore all four covers to see how many heroes, villains, and everyday citizens you can identify.
Source: Scott Koblish, Collector’s Paradise
