Warning: spoilers for Wolverine #22 ahead!
The X-Men have changed so much as to barely be recognizable from their original idealistic selves, and Wolverine has stumbled across the damning proof. Although still arguably a force of good in the world, the X-Men have now become their own mutant nation primarily concerned with their own propagation and survival. However, the gravesite of their original mission still exists, and it's a tragic sight to behold.
The X-Men started out as Charles Xavier's students and elite hero squad, meant to show humanity and the world that there was nothing to fear from mutants. Sadly, Xavier's legacy of secrets and lies, coupled with constant attacks from other mutants and hateful humans led the X-Men to fall and disband many times over. Finally, with the X-Men moving to the island nation of Krakoa as well as establishing a colony on Arakko (the planet Mars), mutankind has become a body politic in their own right. Ruled by the Quiet Council, they speak not just for Xavier's X-Men or Magneto's Brotherhood, but for all mutants.
It's in Wolverine #22 by Benjamin Percy and Adam Kubert that fans see just what has become of the X-Mansion, Xavier's school and original home of the X-Men. Wolverine is unwillingly paired up with Deadpool in pursuit of a mysterious briefcase, Wolverine finds himself imprisoned alongside his partner. They are, however, able to escape when Wolverine takes brutal advantage of the situation by using Deadpool’s most disgusting power: namely, hacking him to pieces and fitting him through the bars, knowing his healing factor will save him. After a harrowing chase, Wolverine and Deadpool recover the contents of the briefcase and are rescued by Blind Al. After a moment to catch their breath, they follow the briefcase's signal to their next destination - the X-Mansion - and arrive to find it completely in ruins. There is nothing to reflect the generations of mutants who went through those halls, who laughed, who learned, who fought.
In the past, life for the X-Men at Xavier's School was full of hope and optimism, with mutants learning to harness their unique abilities and to make the world a better place. This mission statement was the heart of the X-Men: although leadership changed frequently, the school was a haven for the persecuted that represented a dream for a better tomorrow. As the X-Men have moved to Krakoa, that dream has been left behind. Now, the emphasis is on international politics and securing Krakoa's place in the global and interstellar community. This shift in focus is exemplified by the addition of characters such as the evil Mister Sinister onto Krakoa's ruling body and Beast becoming a villain in all but name: the optimistic scientist turned cold and cutthroat in the name of protecting Krakoa.
Although the X-Men are arguably more powerful than ever, there is no greater sign of innocence lost than the wreck of Xavier's school. By abandoning its grounds, the X-Men have also abandoned the hope and idealism that it embodied. Now, Wolverine and Deadpool have returned at last: pursuing yet another destructive secret that only shows just how far the X-Men have fallen.
Wolverine #22 is available now from Marvel Comics.
When Wolverine stumbles across the ruined X-Mansion, it illustrates just how much of their idealism the X-Men have truly lost.Avi Gibson