Powers of X #6 Review Video: The Breaking of Charles Xavier

The revelatory tale of Mutantkind's fall comes to a conclusion that will lay the groundwork of the X-Men's stories for years to come! Superstar writer Jonathan Hickman and rising star artist RB Silva wrap the series that reveals everything!
This comic provides an excellent conclusion to Jonathan Hickman’s groundbreaking House of X Powers of X story arc. Who are we kidding, this story likely immediately ascends to the preeminent X-Men work of the past decade. From the first page of House of X #1 to the final page of Powers of X #6 Hickman crafts an extremely engaging story that pays homage to X-Men’s past while catapulting it into an even more exciting future. Artists Pepe Larraz, R.B. Silva and Marte Gracia have left an indelible mark in X-Men lore.
House of X #6 seemed to put a bow on the story with the mutant nation of Krakoa finally a reality. Sovereignty is secured, a government formed, the first judgement passed and many old rivalries and grievances buried for the betterment of mutantkind. Powers of X #6 is the final red bad issue of the series. The first red band issue, House of X #2, threw X-Men on its head with the Moira X reveal. The second red band issue, House of X #5, saw Cyclops and his team of fallen mutants resurrected. Revealed Professor X’s plan to raise all 16 million mutants murdered at Genosha and the arrival of Apocalypse, Mister Sinster, Exodus and a host of other historically villainous mutants on Krakoa. Joining their brothers and sisters.
The artwork from R.B. Silva has really grown on me over the 6 issues. While I still think he has a couple issues with his visuals during the X0 timeframe, on the whole he’s done a fantastic job throughout. Especially with the visuals in the X2 and X3 timeframes that are unique to the Powers of X series. Like I mentioned last week, Marte Gracia was unable to complete the color art on the final issues of House and Powers. David Curiel once again fills in admirably and does a great job replicating Gracia’s previous work on the books. R.B. Silva, Marte Gracia and David Curiel do great work executing Jonathan Hickman’s vision for Powers of X #6.
Jonathan Hickman finally delivers the missing pieces of why Charles feels off. He’s a broken mutant who realizes his dream can never happen and he needs to take a new path to save mutantkind. The dialogue in this comic is exceptional. Hickman pays off many mysteries in this issue including the ascension story and Moira’s 6th lifetime.
When House of X #6 finished it felt like that was the logical end of the House Powers story arc. Well it turns out it was just that. Powers of X #6 ends in the exact same place. But Hickman fundamentally alters our understanding of the events in House and Powers and provides clarification for some of the odd behavior from Charles. There’s still plenty of mysteries still to uncover but this is an exceptionally satisfying end to the series. R.B. Silva, Marte Gracia and David Curiel do a fantastic job executing Hickman’s enormous vision and scope in ink and color.
Jonathan Hickman, Pepe Larraz, R.B. Silva and Marte Gracia have set the foundation for an amazing line of X-Men books in Dawn of X. Hickman has always been a writer who executes stories at scope most other writers won’t attempt. He may have outdone himself this time. He told a story spanning a thousand years and 10 lifetimes. He made Moira X, Cypher, Proteus, Goldballs and many other mutants who were seen as throwaway character integral to X-Men lore. He fixed a ot of the mess that is X-Men continuity and didn’t even discard the misguided works of lesser creators in the process. Jonathan Hickman made X-Men feel important again. He made X-Men feel special again. The X-Men are in the best place they’ve been in over a decade and I for one couldn’t be more thankful and more excited for even more amazing X-Men stories ahead.
#x-men #jonathanhickman #powersofx
Contact Thinking Critical:
Twitter: / wes_from_tc
Email [e-mail]
Graphics and layouts provided by Chalpha:
Portfolio: chalphagraph.c...
Twitter: / chalphabet
Instagram: / chalphagraph

[@danebarrett237]

I just got this notification, so I haven't watched your vid yet. But I just finished reading the book ten minutes ago. I have read comics that made me laugh. I've read comics that made me cry. I've read comics that made me angry. But I've... NEVER... Read a comic... That chilled me down to my soul before. I've never seen anything like this book or this series. I don't see how anyone can follow this up, but I'm anxious to see!

[@Wes_From_TC]

Hickman created an amazing foundation for Dawn of X. We know he can reboot a franchise in amazing fashion. Now we see if he can manage a team of writers to execute his vision moving forward. My money's on X-Men only getting better moving forward!

[@danebarrett237]

I think its entirely probable that he and MOST of his team will pull it off. I think its just that after finishing this, I was so overwhelmed with the emotions it elicited. He made the breaking of Charles Xavier seem like the breaking of ALL of us that hope for a better world. The BEST kind of "political" comic! Kicked my ass and broke my heart!

[@danebarrett237]

Two other things... Took your advice and started Brian Hill's Killmonger. A character I care nothing about, but he pulled me into the story. Now I want to read Fallen Angels, and yeah, lets get him on Capt. America. Two... Does Skipintosh have a you tube channel? I couldn't find him in my search. Thanks!

[@Skipntosh]

@@danebarrett237 Hey hey! I do have a KZbin channel, you can click on my avatar and sub. I'll be adding more to it soon, but I stream reading comics and gaming on twitch way more. Twitch.tv/skipntosh. Thanks so much!!

[@danebarrett237]

Skipintosh ... Thanks! I didn't know you could do that. I've only been on the tubes about a year, so still kinda noob. Just subscribed, and gonna go check out some vids! See ya.

[@oliverh3538]

I wonder if Moira is referencing onslaught when she says she might be unleashing something to the world, regarding Charles Xavier.

[@GatewayintoComics]

Oh I sure hope so!! Onslaught is bae

[@Wes_From_TC]

It's definitely foreshadowing something unexpected in the future for Charles and the X-Men!

[@reculture]

Or maybe Cassandra Nova, but i can also see Onslaught since they can practically engineer/merge Prof & Mag using those cloning shenanigans

[@ronb113]

I was thinking the same!

[@spideyhunter4270]

What's a red band issue? I've heard this before but where can I find out about upcoming issues. Really enjoy the channel keep it up b.

[@Wes_From_TC]

In the back of HoX/PoX there is a reading order. HoX #2, HoX #5 and PoX #6 are all colored red while the rest of the issues are black. They all feature the biggest reveals that change X-Men continuity.

[@spideyhunter4270]

@@Wes_From_TC smh I completely must of overlooked this. Thank you. I wish other books did that.

[@malikolawale6498]

Mystique is gonna be pissed.

[@Wes_From_TC]

Uh oh!

[@BanksyMane]

Ok, now that Year 1000 has been revealed to be Moira's 6th life, we can try to make sense of everything that has occurred in this life and how much of it Moira is letting be known. In Powers of X #1, we see Cylobel's deteriorating body in that tank like it's the future of Year 100, but how is that possible if Year 1000 is Moira's 6th life? The Librarian then talks to Nimrod The Greater about how they created a collective consciousness of mutandom (a living database) in order to provide a tactical advantage in a war that would turn out to be pointless and useless, but that Nimrod wasn't built to maintain integrity for a millennium. So, not only does the advanced version of Cerebro exist in Moira's 6th life, but there's already backup copies of every mutant to have ever lived as well. In Powers of X #5 on the page where The Librarian is asking Nimrod The Greater why the Elder was destroyed by the Phalanx, we see 12 red panels (the consciousness of the Quiet Council of 12?) surrounding a Bio-Mechanical looking version of what looks like Krakoa. Does this mean that in her 6th life, the Quiet Council and the mutants living on the island of Krakoa have already happened? Is Year 10 (Moira's 10th life) her 2nd attempt at something similar? It seems like Year 1000 (Moira's 6th life) is a mixed, future version of Year 100 and Year 10 combined, but how can that be possible?

[@Wes_From_TC]

Deep thoughts my friend. I'm gonna have to think on this.

[@BanksyMane]

@@Wes_From_TC - Thank you kind sir! I was just about to watch your Powers of X #6 theory video 🙂

[@Ucey365]

Omg this book is so damn good. I damn near got in a wreck rushing to my comic store on my lunch break 🤣. Proud to say, I've read it twice already. The retread did piss me off. Marvel has gotten so greedy.

[@Wes_From_TC]

The issue and entire story are fantastic! Stay safe my friend.

[@raistlinmajere3194]

I was very excited to finally read POX 6, but when then first few pages are just reprints of POX 1 and the last few pages are just redrawn scenes from HOX 6. That’s several unnecessary pages that contributed to the higher price. Damn you Marvel. Rant aside, this issue is very revelatory! 1. Yes, logan prevented the librarian to ascend to godhood by killing him (did he really?) and by killing moira. BUT the elder has already been absorbed by the phalanx, if the elder has the same knowledge with the main librarian it means that the phalanx is now beyond space and time, and they could appear in moira 10 lifetime. 2. Based on my understanding of HOX 2, the numerous moira lifetimes shown are the ones Charles actually knows, or in this case as revealed by POX 6, REMEMBERS. This means that there is a possibility not everything that happened in HOX 2 maybe true. Those are the memories or information that moira chosen to opened up to Charles. 3. I am ok with the gradual breakdown of Charles psyche to explain his unusual behavior in this series. Sometimes the best explanation is the straight forward one.

[@Wes_From_TC]

The issue is amazing but I agree with you 100% on the page count!

[@dantecrottogini529]

The page thing is a very Hickman thing though, he's done it before

[@ChillMonger]

Its so easy to forget the artists in this series. But you're always giving them their cred!

[@Wes_From_TC]

Gotta talk about the whole team!!!

[@alburqueniense2442]

Fuck yes I called since the start that he was indeed Xavier but radicalized by Moira. The 6th life being X3 was only a vague guess, I didn't really predict it.

[@Wes_From_TC]

Noice!

[@maris4137]

Happy that we finally got a conclusion, but sad that HoX/PoX is over. Maybe Moira is still bitter against Destiny that's why she is very insistent that Destiny not be ressurected. Masking it off with all precogs be banned. I think that's where Sinister comes in. In case of ressurecting a precog, they can tamper with their DNA/genetics to filter precognitive abilities. I got a feeling that Wolverine is Moira's sleeper agent. In case Charles and Erik screws this up, Logan will reset everything.

[@Wes_From_TC]

Interesting.....

[@Lewcifer0]

Conspiracy Theorist third time’s the charm perhaps? Lol.

[@jackolman]

Cuz Hickman just had to be inspired by The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August.

[@positiveliberty]

wait, what? the comic doesn't say that moira's been receiving blood transfusions from wolverine the whole time. where do you guys get that? the librarian simply says that they helped each other stay alive some how, no? I also don't see how mere blood transfusions would help Moira stay alive.

[@MichaelGriffin-wv5tx]

It feels like Moira is the villain to me.

[@kingcrimson2643]

She is.

[@99saquan]

@@kingcrimson2643 is she or is she ensuring the survival of her kind.

[@kingcrimson2643]

@@99saquan while giving off evil villain vibes.

[@Wes_From_TC]

I get the exact same feeling.

[@99saquan]

@@kingcrimson2643 deff shady vibes but Hickman blurs the lines between good and evil.

[@crs42066]

What an amazing end to an amazing series by Hickman. The X-men hasn't been this good since Grant Morrison's run. Can't wait to see what's in store! I'm hoping for a return of Cassandra Nova and an epic phoenix story. Some more Jean, Scott, Emma drama with a bit of Wolverine for good measure. It also makes me think of how Disney will incorporate these stories into the new X-Men movies far down the road! As always keep up the great reviews!!!

[@Wes_From_TC]

Thanks for the feedback, and you can definitely count on me to continue covering X-Men!

[@jalbertking5170]

what a difference a year makes, and then 3

[@RidiculousThoughts]

Excellent video and recap. So much to discuss. I look forward to Outside the Bleed with Skipintosh! Thanks for the great work you continue to do on your channel!

[@Wes_From_TC]

OTB live tomorrow and I have a full panel for a HoX/PoX live wrap-up on Sunday!

[@RidiculousThoughts]

@@Wes_From_TC Buying my snacks tomorrow. I will be there. Thank You!

[@Wes_From_TC]

Noice!

[@liquidswords20]

But where does it go from here? I was re-reading Hickman's FF run. This is going to be a wild ride.

[@Wes_From_TC]

Literally endless possibilities moving forward!

[@pitt8367]

We won't tolerate precogs ??? Uh oh. THAT smells bad. I get the Destiny issue. Destiny is ALL BAD. But what happens when new Mutant's are born and they can see the future ??? Somebody will raid the DNA catalog.

[@Wes_From_TC]

I'm pretty sure Moira has other plans in mind she doesn't want Charles or anyone on Krakoa knowing.

[@superthorc6894]

If house of x was was the return the Jedi then powers of x is the empire strikes back

[@deitpep6629]

Star Wars (ANH) was the big movie experience changing event of the latter half of the 20th century. It caught and changed the movie going (western) world. ESB and ROTJ, the whole franchise, would not have existed if anh bombed or was forgotten. Adjusted for inflation: www.boxofficemojo.com/alltime/adjusted.htm

[@Wes_From_TC]

It's a fantastic story told in a truly innovative way. Hickman was the only man for the job!

[@fuzzygurl23]

If Jonathan Hickman can put in all his heart & effort to revamp the X-Men comic franchise just like from F4 years ago, Why can't most DC writers & Artists (With the exception of Sean Gordon Murphy & Peter Tomasi) do the same thing as well, especially beyond the rebirth era from 2018 onwards??? The Art screams clear crispness all the way btw. I hope R.B. Silva, Marte Gracia & Pepe Larraz Art doesn't go unnoticed and probably be given more opportunities to draw in other major comic stories. (Who knows, maybe one of them can be the artist for either one of DC trinity heroes like Superman, Batman & Wonder Woman to give their own take. I do want Pepe Larraz to draw Nightwing one day when Dick Grayson returns next year)

[@Wes_From_TC]

Marvel, led by Hickman's X-Men, is making DC look like a joke right now. I'm a much bigger fan of DC but if this keeps up why even bother with DC?

[@fuzzygurl23]

@@Wes_From_TC Only because I can only pray in my dreams that things will hopefully get better in 2020 despite evrything. Btw, you need to research on the rumoured 5G DC initiative written by bledding cool and probably discuss it in this weeks Comics aficionados or geek span video I think history might repeat itself AGAIN if this article turns out to be true. Might spell further trouble after DDC ends in Dec this year

[@Wes_From_TC]

@@fuzzygurl23 thanks for the heads up!

[@wretchedthe638]

Franklin richards will be the bane of all mutants I had a gut feeling onslaught will be back its a matter of time when mutants vs super powered heroes primarily F4

[@Wes_From_TC]

I think Franklin will be the spark that ignites a second AvX story. But this time it will be epic!

[@IllMatic97]

@@Wes_From_TC why would you want another story like that? Why would anyone especially marvel fans want that? For God's sake the first one was pointless and I'm not even a marvel fan.

[@Wes_From_TC]

@@IllMatic97 Because I want it done right this time!!!

[@IllMatic97]

@@Wes_From_TC nothing "right" about heroes fighting heroes and it's clear of the x men bias but whatever. It seems the concept of a "hero" is jaded nowadays.

[@dizzytheday5586]

Man I cant wait to see how franklin will be used. Theres no way they cleared up the meaning of Omega, had Cyclops snark off to the FF, and highlighted Franklin in red without it meaning something. So excited. Calling it now. 4vsX for title.

[@edmendo]

AFter years of crappy stories , we got a reboot with a great series. Fantastic! Thank God we can still read some good comics, the MCU is gonna be full of Trash.

[@Wes_From_TC]

I hear the MCU wants to use this material to relaunch X-Men!

[@Skipntosh]

A few super classic Panels in this book. Silva Has stepped up his game every issues.

[@Wes_From_TC]

The second death scene of Moira is absolutely phenomenal.

[@rhaeghartargaryen871]

Why the hell would you live in phillipines ?

[@Wes_From_TC]

My wife & children.

[@maryse8]

Not only does Moira have to worry about Destiny but there's also Blindspot to contend with.

[@Wes_From_TC]

She definitely doesn't want anyone who can see her future around. I think she's in cahoots wit Apocalypse. But it could be anything!

[@MichaelGriffin-wv5tx]

Isn't Blindspot going to be in fallen angels?

[@Wes_From_TC]

To my knowledge its Psylocke, Young Cable and X-23.

[@MichaelGriffin-wv5tx]

@@Wes_From_TC Bling and Husk join in issue 5.

[@Wes_From_TC]

@@MichaelGriffin-wv5tx Fallen Angels is going to be way more critical to the story than any of us imagine!!!

[@ariblanco82]

did he just salamat po?

[@Wes_From_TC]

I did. I live in the PI!

[@maris4137]

He always does. 🙂

[@rhaeghartargaryen871]

The Nation of Krakoa panek mo

[@RoeWeezie]

Lmao! I was just going to ask the same thing! I was like wait did He just say that?? Great Review btw.. just subscribed

[@cjfaloye5592]

Good review.

[@Wes_From_TC]

Thanks!

[@tonycaballero1494]

Standing ovation for PoX. #6 I loved the librarian refusing divinity if it cost individuality. I guess facing the end of the world to become part of the phalanx can scare anyone. Excited to see where the xmen are going next.

[@Wes_From_TC]

I called it the reverse Cypher moment from The Matrix. The Librarian realized that being part of the collective wasn't a true existence.

[@tonycaballero1494]

At this point shouldn't logan be considered an omega level mutant? I mean a 1000 plus year durability and his blood also has healing properties not to mention that logan has been able to come back from a lot of situations

[@Wes_From_TC]

@@tonycaballero1494 I'll be honest Logan lasting 1k years without dying from Adamantium poisoning seems like a stretch. But I enjoyed the story enough I let that one slide.

[@johnleone6193]

Another amazing review. Thank you so much! You’re doing some great work!!!

[@Wes_From_TC]

Thanks John, you're too kind!

[@NolaNerd]

First.

[@Wes_From_TC]

Hell Yeah!

[@TevyaSmolka]

ooh this is going to be fun

[@Wes_From_TC]

Oh Hell Yeah!

[@TevyaSmolka]

@@Wes_From_TC indeed :)

[@kingcrimson2643]

Yeah it was so fun to see the X-Cult not be a dream or alternate universe and us being told that Xavier's Beliefs were wrong or wouldn't work. And knowing that this is the status quo for X-Men for the next few years is icing on the cake.

[@TevyaSmolka]

@@kingcrimson2643 lol indeed :)

[@Wes_From_TC]

@@kingcrimson2643 Well Charles is clearly established as crazy in this issue. But I'm very excited to see where this goes. It's making me think Fallen Angels is gonna be far more important than previously thought.

[@rashadpreston7389]

I don't think this was that great of conclusion

[@williamgordon]

Good time! I am floored by this arc I pray they can maintain this level of storytelling

[@Wes_From_TC]

Hickman is overseeing all 6 DoX titles. I have a feeling it's only getting better from here.

[@Ostentatiousnessness]

Wait, but I thought destiny said that she couldn’t see Moira’s future because of her mutant ability. Or because this is lifetime XI she’s now open to read?

[@99saquan]

Nah that was for the first time next time she sees her she will instantly remember

[@Wes_From_TC]

I think now that she's in her 10th life there are far less variables and Destiny will get a much better read on Moira.

[@miguelh4750]

Special request : Can you please discuss about the Foreshadowing Variant Edition of POX #6 (mutant on Trone??? who is that) on Outside the Bleed ? Also please speculate on the identity of the Red King :) Thanks. Looking forward to the video !!!!

[@miguelh4750]

This is the cover : insidepulse.com/2019/10/08/giuseppe-camuncoli-powers-of-x-6-foreshadow-variant-cover-for-marvel-released-classified-no-longer/

[@miguelh4750]

Also the Foreshadowing Variant Edition of HOX #6 cover had Omega Red ??? Why? who knows... insidepulse.com/2019/10/01/giuseppe-camuncoli-house-of-x-6-foreshadow-variant-cover-for-marvel-revealed-no-longer-classified/

[@Wes_From_TC]

Skip and I actually recorded OTB right after this vid went live. I am doing a special live panel HoX/PoX wrap-up on Sunday and we will cover these topics!

[@cliftonhatchett9647]

I was way off on The Librarian, & The Elder.... Waaaaay off!!!

[@Wes_From_TC]

I think we all were!

[@cliftonhatchett9647]

@@Wes_From_TC ... I just didn't see that at all, but upon pondering,... That curveball was awesome.

[@kingcrimson2643]

Yup. Moira Broke him alright.

[@Wes_From_TC]

His brain is crispy after that reveal!!

[@kingcrimson2643]

@@Wes_From_TC He's currently assembling the Borg.