Hellfire Gala

Last updated
Hellfire Gala
Publication information
Publisher Marvel Comics
Genre Superhero
Publication dateJune 2021
No. of issues12
Main character(s) X-Men
Collected editions
X-Men: Hellfire Gala Red Carpet Edition ISBN   978-1302931568
X-Men: Hellfire Gala ISBN   978-1302931155

"Hellfire Gala" is a comic book storyline published by Marvel Comics through the X-Men related title. It is the first storyline featured in the "Reign of X" relaunch after the "X of Swords" storyline. [1] It is a 12-chapter storyline. 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.

Contents

Plot

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. [2]

Emma Frost asks Magneto to procure and develop an island as a secondary base of operations for the Hellfire Trading Company. [3]

Emma Frost 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. [4]

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. [5]

Captain America meets with Cyclops at Westchester, questioning the expansion of Krakoa and mutant population. [6]

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. [6]

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. [7]

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. [17] [24]

The murder of Scarlet Witch during the gala is the focus of Trial of Magneto. [12] [25]

Characters

In addition, the Hellfire Gala of 2021 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.

Issues involved

IssueRelease dateWriter(s)Artist(s)
Marauders #21June 2, 2021Gerry Duggan & Chris ClaremontMatteo Lolli & John Bolton
X-Force (vol. 6) #20Benjamin PercyJoshua Cassara
Hellions #12Zeb WellsStephen Segovia
Excalibur (vol. 4) #21June 9, 2021Tini HowardMarcus To
X-Men (vol. 5) #21Jonathan HickmanRussell Dauterman, Nick Dragotta, Sara Pichelli & Lucas Werneck
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

Collected issues

TitleMaterial collectedPagesPublication DateISBN
X-Men: Hellfire Galacollects Marauders (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: 978-1302931155
X-Men: Hellfire Gala Red Carpet Editioncollects X-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: 978-1302931568

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. [26]

Storyline

The creative team agreed that the story and the party were a success. [27]

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. [28]

Prints

IssueRelease date Comic Book Roundup

Rating

Estimate Sales to North American

retailers (first month) [29]

Marauders #21June 2, 20218.5 by 12 professional critics [30] 64,517
X-Force (vol. 6) #208.1 by 10 professional critics [31] 53,754
Hellions #128.5 by 12 professional critics [32] 46,810
Excalibur (vol. 4) #21June 9, 20217.5 by 7 professional critics [33] 48,930
X-Men (vol. 5) #218.0 by 13 professional critics [34] 89,924
Planet-Sized X-Men #1June 16, 20218.2 by 19 professional critics [35] 89.263
New Mutants (vol. 4) #198.3 by 8 professional critics [36] 49,448
X-Corp #28.0 by 6 professional critics [37] 46,495
Wolverine (vol. 7) #13June 23, 20216.8 by 6 professional critics [38] 78,545
S.W.O.R.D. (vol. 2) #69.2 by 12 professional critics [39] 44,069
Way of X #38.0 by 11 professional critics [40] 49,644
X-Factor (vol. 4) #10June 30, 20217.0 by 8 professional critics [41] 55,625

Later versions

Second Annual Hellfire Gala

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. [27]

A second X-Men election was announced with results revealed in the second Hellfire Gala. [42] [43] 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. [44]

A Marvel Comics caricature of Jon Hamm appeared as one of the Hellfire Gala attendees.

Third Annual Hellfire Gala

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. [45] During the Next Big Thing panel on NYCC 2022, Lowe mentioned that there will be another Hellfire Gala before the Fall of X event. [46]

A third X-Men election was announced with the results to be revealed in the third Hellfire Gala. [47] The one-shot issue would launch the Fall of X event after a series of devastating revelations. [48] Marvel also announced that Kamala Khan's resurrection story that began with the X-Men Hellfire Gala 2023 #1 one-shot that was released on July 26, 2023. [49] [50]

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

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