Shadow and Flame with Magik

Writer Jonathan Hickman

Artist Matteo Della Fonte

Colorist Arthur Hesli

Letterer VC’s Cory Petit

Variant Cover Clayton Crain

Now.  New York City.

Cardinal Stryker, so we already know what we’re in for.  He meets Mayor Corvo, which I tried to look it up, and didn’t see any characters with that last name.  Stryker tells Corvo and his men they have to stay outside, as only weapons allowed in the church is the Power of Faith. 

Cardinal Stryker is there to meet Bishop Wagner, who does have a sword. 

Bishop Wagner is assisted by Sister Aquilla, of Nova Roma, so we have Magma.  Also, apparently something bad happened in Nova Roma, as is always the case. 

The Pope has given Cardinal Stryker authority to be an independent factor as he performs his duties. 

Cardinal Stryker is here to kill vampires.  Wagner asks, “which kind?” which is very interesting.  Are there different types of vampires?  Stryker responds with a, “yours,” so mutant vampires as opposed to vampire vampires?  Flatscan vampires?

Years ago.

We are treated to Vampire Storm biting Jean Grey, in a Phoenix outfit.  This page is gorgeous. 

Now.

October 6, 2026.  Day 3106 of this broadcast.  Day 3268 of the first recorded occurrence of infection.  Which is nearly nine years. 

We get a panel of Magneto in this universe.  He has a rock in a jar.

Citizen Tilby, so we have Trish Tilby, always a reporter. 

We see a panel of loads of missing people.  I don’t believe we are supposed to recognize any of the faces, and there are no names that are legible. 

Citizen Tilby makes a reference to someone, be it vampire or empyre.  We see two characters discuss what is an empyre, which is pretty fun.  Empyres are mutants who were turned into vampires, so mutant vampires, m-pires, empyers.  Two great panels that really define the lore.

Mutant vampires don’t call themselves that, that’s just for flatscans, for convenience, as the mutant vampires call themselves by their house names, and clan names. 

One of the people cracked the prime codex, and found the decryption key, but that’s how all of these people who have gathered got to this location. 

This group comes across four strongholds, or coffins.  One of them is Quicksilver, and the other is a lady with red hair, which doesn’t narrow it down much. 

One of the coffins is marked – Body Shop #MJ298 V-Class Reaver (Beta), so just like in the 616, Reavers are present, and have turned themselves into vampires, AND have enhanced their bodies with cybernetics.  Reavers always have to try to get on the same power of mutants, or mutant vampires, that’s just how Reavers roll. 

The House of X.  Classic Hickman.

Unus, usually untouchable, is part of the House of X.  Quicksilver shows up, fresh from the Reavers attack.  Toad is also there, we can tell by his googles. 

We also see Havok and Polaris, and Scarlet Witch are part of the House of X.

Polaris mentions a compact that mutants live by.  Magneto orders that they have to send someone who isn’t bound by the compact to fight back the Reavers.

Gambit is the one that is sent.  Gambit is joined by Psyloce, Glob Herman, and a male Hellion, from the uniform.  Probably Empath, who is the worst.  It is very cool to see a Glob Herman who is ready for a fight.

Back with Stryker and Wagner, we see a statue of Exodus, attacking with a sword, someone who is chained down.  It is daylight, and we’re outside, so Wagner isn’t an empyre.  Stryker states that vampires have been around since St. Peter founded the church.  Also, is it isn’t a sin to kill vampires, as they are already dead.

Stryker refers to Mayor Corvo as Purifier Corvo, so we know this are bad dudes.  Wanger recognizes the empyers were his friends, so he rather not see them get killed.  I’m not sure what his solution is, to give up portions of the city? 

Styrker mentions how he and Wagner are on missions of mercy, and works in a “God Loves Man Kills,” which is an awesome reference. 

We get our first data page, Immortal Mortality.  Human and Mutant Vampres can be killed by – Decapitation, Adamantium, and Sunlight – mutants can several up to a few minutes in sunlight whereas human vampires die within seconds.  Also, human vampires can be killed with a stake through the heart, but not mutants.  Which makes sense to me, as I imagine empyres are stronger than vampires.  The data page is produced by Muir Institute Report (0051).

Back with Gambit, we get confirmation that is Empath.  Psylocke beheads the Reaver.  Mutants have a smell to the iron in their blood, so empyres can tell who they are about to feast on 

Empath has the option to devour her, or turn her, but he has to make the decision quick.  Also, empyres really want to drink upon mutants, they have an overwhelming scent. 

Before Empath can make a decision, the dude gets blasted! 

Cyclops is here!  He blasted Empath’s legs right off! 

Gambit states they will get Empath to a healer, so apparently empyres can’t just heal on their own, or maybe they can, but not one’s legs once they are blasted off.

Cyclops recognizes Gambit.  Gambit calls Cyclops, Slim, which is fun.  Also, Slim has quite the bounty of his head.  Gambit’s tribe doesn’t care about the compact. 

Gambit wants the girl, but she tells Slim how she would know what her power is, and I like his response of, “you’d know.”  Slim sighing is perfection.

Gambit makes a comment, most likely scarastically, about how great Cyclops is at saving people, so something bad happened there.

Gambit also calls Cyclops the last X-Man.  Cyclops, in a very fun moment, refereces the time, 1:27pm, then gives the building they are in a new sunroof, and fries everyone, but Glob Herman. 

Empath definitely dies, but Gambit appears to only be frying, so he must have been an older empyre. 

With a pretty cool grappling hook, Cyclops rescues the gal.  He tells her the empyres have her scene, so she has to leave.  She wants to stay, and her name is Hope.  Cyclops repeats that she has to go home.  There was a part of me that was hoping her red hair was just brunette, and this would be Kitty Pryde. 

Bishop Wagner is tending to his flowers, as the sun goes down.  I love how he is immediately visited by Storm.  I thought it was just Gambit’s speech bubbles, but apparently all empyres get to speak in black word balloons. 

Apparently Storm keeps offering Wagner the chance to turn, but he keeps turning her down.  NO family, no clan, no house would dare turn Wagner, he is protected by Storm’s shadow.  Storm is also not concern for men trying to kill her, which is awesome. 

Storm touches Wagner’s hand, and he moves it.  Wagner dreams of a cure for empyres.  Wagner is concerned for the day empyres lose control, and can no longer hide.  Will there be another war?  Which is very interesting. 

I like how we keep getting different characters quoting, “The Peace Must Hold.”  This is a very strong compact they are under. 

Wanger asks what happens if the peace isn’t held, as the issue ends. 

No Kitty, or Lockheed, or Magik, but we are just getting started 

Midnight X-Men was definitely my favorite of the three, with Spider-Man being second, and I’ll probably be okay with not reading more Fantastic Four.  And once we find out if the spider stays on Peter’s chest, I’ll probably be done there  Or if it stays, how does that work?