We Have Back Issues

The following is a list of the many theories we have entertained, debated, and obsessed over after issues #1:

The (This Is All A Dream) Theory: Xavier has a very powerful mind, so he probably has very powerful dreams. 

Evidence: This whole enterprise has an undeniable dreamlike quality to it. Many of the key figures in the present timeline appear as what we could imagine are Xavier’s ideal version of them. Jean appears in a costume that she wore previous to her interactions with the Phoenix. Cyclops appears to have a similar vibe to his Utopia incarnation. The point in his life where he embodied the leader Xavier raised him to be, but before he went full rogue terrorist. Magneto plays the role of strong lieutenant, and not unhinged rival. Many other characters appear in their most iconic looks, most of which have been abandoned years ago. 

Other Characters appear out of place in time. A young Moira has the knowledge of an older Moira. A still healthy Magneto appears 100 years into the future, during what appears to be a visit from a 1910s circus in the swinging 60s on the grounds of present-day Charles’ school. Also, they keep referencing dreams and sleep.

Implications if this theory proves true: A dreamscape scenario could result in one of two scenarios. 1. None of this is actually happening, and this series will end in the most cliched fever dream ending ever and infuriate Marvel fans everywhere [Unlikely]. 2. Dreaming Xavier is projecting his will onto every being in this galaxy and mind controlling them into playing out his Utopian nightmare [Horrifying]. 

The (Xavier is Possessed) Theory: Xavier is acting against character because Xavier isn’t home right now. 

Evidence: Hickman has done an excellent job of alluding to important storylines from all era’s of the X-Men. One of the most important involved the reality-warping mutant Proteus. House of X #1 states that Proteus is alive and somewhere on Krakoa (he is listed among the Omega-level Mutants). We also know that Proteus requires a host body. Could that host body be Xavier? The last time Marvel had a big “House of...” event, the world was rocked by another reality-warper (Scarlet Witch). Proteus’s Reality Warping is a (marginally) localized ability, so it makes some sense that he would try and gather all mutants together in a singular location like an island. 

The inclusion of Proteus’ mother, Moira MacTaggert, is also a curious inclusion to the series. 

Finally, it should be noted that Cyclops has already referenced another major reality warping mutant, Franklin Richards, and invited him to Krakoa via his parents (and wasn’t that a dick/power move???). 

Implications if this theory proves true: Proteus is mind controlling all the mutants involved in Krakoa to do his bidding, against their own will. There is already evidence that Jean Grey is fighting that control (if it exists). One of the other Omega-level Mutants are likely to break said control and go rogue, destabilizing Proteus and defeating him, but potentially too late to save them all from the Sentinels.

The (Xavier is Evil) Theory: Xavier’s mind has been tainted by all the evil he has rubbed up against.

Evidence: Over the recent past few years Xavier has 1. Died 2. Had his brain grafted to Red Skull 3. Had his Red Skull brain go full onslaught 4. Been tortured on the Astral Plane by Shadow King  5.Implanted into the body of mutant sentinel Fantomex. That is a whole load of questionable influences before we remember that the Professor was a pretty questionable dude to begin with. 

Implications if this theory proves true: Everyone’s fucked? Everyone’s fucked.

The (That isn’t Xavier!) Theory: That isn’t Xavier under that helmet. 

Evidence: Xavier looks an awful lot like The Maker (the evil Earth-1610 version of Reed Richards) The plan of a contained nation of evolved beings that get further modified is very similar to a plan The Maker tried with some success in the Ultimate (Earth-1610) universe. Xavier is wearing a very Maker-ish helmet. The only non-X characters we have encountered are the Fantastic Four, and we do so in the very first issue with Cyclops trying to lure Franklin to Krakoa. 

Implications if this theory proves true: ???

The (This is a Simulation) Theory: This is all a scenario being run by Karima. 

Evidence: For those of you who don’t know, Karima is both an Omega Sentinel and often an ally to the mutant population. Perhaps this is all a simulation run by Karima to find a solution to the Mutant/Human problem. Perhaps that is why so many characters are acting out of character. Karima is playing out possibilities and not trying to accurately roleplay characters. Likewise Nimrod (who is the basis for her Sentinel programming) is portrayed as almost sympathetic. Karima’s personal conflicts are influencing the simulation creating chains of cascading conflicts and pain. 

Implications if this theory proves true: The futures we see in Power of X will warp and change as events within House of X unfold, much like a time traveler stepping on a butterfly in the past (or Fry becoming his own grandfather).

The (we are going mad) Theory: maybe we are losing it.

Evidence: Our coworkers have no idea what we are ever talking about and the Marvel Wiki is saved to our hotlinks on every computer we touch. 

Implications if this theory proves true: We end up traumatizing at least five children with our insane ranting.