Summary
The new era for theX-Menfranchise puts Professor X in a precarious position, one unlike any that the character has experienced in his sixty-year history. In “What Charlie Did,“the Marvel Universe reckons with Xavier’s shocking actions at the climax ofX-Men’svaunted Krakoan Era, in a story that promises to add nuance and intrigue to his future role inX-Menstories.
As announced by Marvel,X-Men: From the Ashes Infinity Comic#4 – written by Alex Paknadel, with art by Diogenes Neves – is set to reintroduce investigative reporter Sally Floyd, as she seeks to uncover the truth of “What Charlie Did,” during the final, pivotal issues of the Krakoan Saga.
While some fans expected Marvel to turn Xavier into an outright villain, this story suggests that the answer to Professor X’s future will not be so cut-and-dry, though readers will have to wait until the story’s end to have a clearer sense of his upcoming arc, one way or the other.
“No More Humans”: Professor X Is Officially A Worse Villain Than Magneto Ever Was
Xavier, former leader of the X-Men, has revealed a deep betrayal, siding with Nimrod and Orchis in a deal to save mutantkind by ending humanity.
Marvel Is Set To Unravel The Whole Truth Of Professor Xavier’s Crimes Against Humanity
“What Charlie Did,” fromX-Men: From the Ashes Infinity Comic#4 – Written By Alex Paknadel; Art By Diogenes Neves
Few characters are as monumentally important toX-Menas Professor X, and in order to do something truly engaging with the franchise’s new era, a meditation on Xavier’s actions at the end of World War Orchis is a key place to start.
With the first part of “What Charlie Did” out now,X-Menreaders can begin to put together a sense of how the story is going to approach the fallout of Professor Charles Xavier’s controversial decisions at the end of the franchise’s Krakoan Saga. As Marvel’s synopsis for the arc frames it:
Professor Charles Xavier would do anything to protect the future of mutantkind—but would he go so far as to kill twelve innocents for that dream? That’s exactly what investigative reporter Sally Floyd hopes to find out in “What Charlie Did…,”
During the final days of Krakoa, Xavier made a devil’s bargain with Orchis. In exchange for his help as one of the most powerful telepaths on Earth, the Sentinels of Orchis agreed to spare mutantkind and allow them to live without interference on their island nation. To seal the deal, Xavier forced the crew of a nearby spacecraft to blow up their own ship, an act that murdered twelve bystanders and prevented them from interfering in Orchis' plans. In the end, Orchis fell to the X-Men, and Xavier surrendered himself to the authorities for his crimes against humanity.
However, Floyd isn’t sure that story is so simple. So, in X-MEN: FROM THE ASHES INFINITY COMIC, she agrees to investigate Xavier’s terrorist attack… but will her faith in Xavier be rewarded?
As shocking as Xavier’s actions were, they were also a logical end point for the increasing desperation of the character, as he was forced to watch his dream for mutantkind die violently.
With that in mind, Marvel’s approach to this story is an interesting one. By bringing in a largely unfamiliar character as its central, focal perspective, “What Charlie Did” has an opportunity to be an innovative, unexpected account of Charles Xavier’s freshly tarnished legacy,while setting the stage for the next evolution of the character. Few characters are as monumentally important toX-Menas Professor X, and in order to do something truly engaging with the franchise’s new era, a meditation on Xavier’s actions at the end of World War Orchis is a key place to start.
Professor X’s “From The Ashes” Role Is A Pivotal Early Test For The New Era
Marvel’s Chance To Fully Reinvent Xavier
Whatever the case may be,X-Menfans should be patient with Marvel as the company carefully unfolds the next chapter in the long, complicated history of Professor Xavier.
It is safe to say that just as he has always been at the forefront ofX-Menstories, what Marvel does with Professor Xavier in the short-term may very well be a bellweather for the publisher’s overall “From the Ashes” plans for the franchise. In any case, it will certainly be an influential kick-off to the era for the character, and will play an important part in determining whether there is a redemption arc in store for him, or if Professor X will truly break bad, in a way that has been teased in the past, but never fully embraced.
A villainous Professor X would certainly be an endgame-level villain for the latest era ofX-Men– just as a potentially different heroic role will need time to take shape. Whatever the case may be,X-Menfans should be patient with Marvel as the company carefully unfolds the next chapter in the long, complicated history of Professor Xavier. Alex Paknadel and Diogenes Neves' “What Charlie Did,” is likely to be a cautious, if exciting,first step on a long, winding journey through unexpected territory for the founder of theX-Men.
Source:Marvel
X-Men
The X-Men franchise, created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, centers on mutants with extraordinary abilities. Led by the powerful telepath Professor Charles Xavier, they battle discrimination and villainous mutants threatening humanity. The series explores themes of diversity and acceptance through a blend of action, drama, and complex characters, spanning comics, animated series, and blockbuster films.
