The end of X-Men’s Krakoan era is finally arriving – but not without one more gut-wrenching twist, a betrayal that will shake mutantkind to its core, and possibly have devastating implications for what comes next for the franchise. The possible identity of “Traitor X” is sure to haunt readers for months to come, in anticipation of the reveal.
Marvel’s solicitation for Rise of the Powers of X #4 asks, “Who is Traitor X?” It goes on to state that the issue finds mutantkind’s leaders, the Quiet Council, reacting “in the aftermath of the greatest betrayal in X-Men history.“
RISE OF THE POWERS OF X #4 (OF 5) (2024) | |
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| Release Date: | April 25, 2024 |
| Writer: | Kieron Gillen |
| Artist: | R.B. Silva |
| Cover Artist: | R.B. Silva, David Curiel (color) |
| Variant Covers: | Derrick Chew, Chad Hardin, Bryan Hitch, David Nakayama, R.B. Silva |
Who is Traitor X? In the aftermath of the greatest betrayal in X-Men history, the Quiet Council in exile must act in RISE OF THE POWERS OF X #4. They have a plan. Can anyone, or anything, survive the experience? As the Krakoan Age barrels toward its conclusion, the two storylines converge in an act that will live in infamy! | |
Considering how the previous betrayal of mutantkind by Krakoa founder Moira Mactaggert marked the true beginning of the end for the Krakoan era, it seems unfathomable that this next betrayal will eclipse even that. And yet, of course, there are some potential identities of Traitor X worth considering.
Marvel Promises X-History’s “Greatest Betrayal,” As The X-Men Face Their Most Sinister Threat
By teasing this pivotal betrayal months ahead of Rise of the Powers of X #4’s release, Marvel has signaled that its encouragement of speculation about who Traitor X is going to be. This suggests the character’s treacherous action, when it comes, may be shocking, but not necessarily surprising. Several X-characters’ current arcs could plausibly end with them betraying mutantkind in some way, while many more would register as unequivocally unexpected. It will be worth reading all upcoming X-titles closely, in order to look for more than just the identity of Traitor X, but also what their treachery will entail.
Professor X has been teased as being on the verge of ascending to godhood, which could take him away from mutantkind at the moment they’ve never truly needed him more. A major character like Wolverine, who has become disillusioned with Krakoan society, would prove to be a truly shocking, but potentially predictable, Traitor X. This is why, in order to speculate about the Traitor’s identity, it’s necessary to question what the treacherous action could be. It could, in fact, be inaction that betrays mutantkind.
Moira MacTaggert May Still Play A Role In This Final Betrayal
The X-Men’s fight against anti-mutant organization Orchis, and the malevolent A.I. deity known as the Dominion, reaches its terminal conclusion in the twin miniseries, Fall of the House of X and Rise of the Powers of X. This mirrors the start of the Krakoan era with 2019’s House of X and Powers of X, providing a true bookend for five years of X-Men storytelling. The era began with the revelation that Moira MacTaggert was a mutant, and previews for Rise of the Powers of X #3 suggest it may end in her death – or at least, an attempt on her life.
This attempt will be mutantkind’s last ditch effort to prevent their extermination, by killing Moira long before the founding of Krakoa, erasing it from the timeline. It stands to reason that if a mutant – for whatever reason – were to foil this plan, it could rank as the “greatest betrayal in X-Men history.” Whether on moral grounds, or for personal reasons, protecting a young Moira MacTaggert from Xavier’s desperate plot on her life would potentially make that mutant X-Men’s most treacherous character of all time.
Rise of the Powers of X #4 will be released on April 25, 2024, from Marvel Comics.
