The Krakoan Era was a golden age for mutants in X-Men canon, as they not only had a true home where they were accepted without compromise, but had also effectively achieved immortality. However, one mutant was seemingly left out of the resurrection protocols every mutant was entitled to, and honestly, that might have been for the best, as their exclusion prevented one immensely awkward conversation.
The mutant in question is Mike Columbus aka Basilisk, who was enrolled at the Xavier Institute within Marvel Comics’ New X-Men comic series. Basilisk was subject to a great deal of discrimination due to his mutation. Columbus’ physical appearance resembled a cyclops, while his powers were decidedly unnerving.
Basilisk could generate pulses of paralyzing light from his eye, and it was strong enough to stop practically anyone in their tracks, akin to a deer caught in headlights. While initially he tried to use his power for good and prove wrong those who judged him, Basilisk would eventually leave the Xavier Institute and join Magneto’s Brotherhood of Mutants (sort of).
Related
“You Could Never Love Him”: The Death of Wolverine’s Son Exposes the Dark Truth of Logan’s Family
Wolverine’s son Akihiro was recently killed by Sabretooth during the Sabretooth War, & his death exposes a dark truth about Wolverine’s entire family.
Basilisk was Murdered By ‘Magneto’ (Really a Disguised Xorn)
New X-Men #149 by Grant Morrison and Phil Jimenez
When Basilisk joined the Brotherhood of Mutants, he thought he was signing up to work under Magneto. However, it would soon after be revealed that this Magneto wasn’t Magneto at all, but Xorn disguised as the Master of Magnetism. During an assault the Brotherhood was launching against New York City in New X-Men #149, Xorn (as Magneto) killed Basilisk, and he did it like it was nothing.
Before the strike itself, Basilisk evidently spoke out of turn, at which point Xorn (as Magneto) seemingly crushed his throat, killing Basilisk on the spot. There was a moment of horror in Xorn’s eyes upon the realization of what he’d done, but once that literal moment passed, he immediately tried to justify his actions. Xorn and the Brotherhood then callously continue their mission, leaving Basilisk’s corpse lying face down in the dirt.
So, Why Would THAT Moment Be Awkward in X-Men’s Krakoan Era?
While Xorn was a murderous villain in New X-Men, he actually managed to turn his life around by the time of the events of the Krakoan Era, and Xorn was even a prominent mutant hero on Krakoa. Meanwhile, Basilisk was nowhere to be seen, meaning he either fell through the cracks of the mutant resurrection protocols, or he was silently resurrected and opted to live a life of peace. Either way, Basilisk never confronted Xorn about killing him, and while it may have been a moment of catharsis for Basilisk and growth for Xorn, it definitely would have been awkward.
Speaking to one’s own murderer would be a truly bizarre situation, and it would quickly become infuriating if it was revealed that everyone forgave them for it, and there weren’t any lasting consequences. Xorn is accepted as a hero on Krakoa despite murdering Basilisk, so if Basilisk was resurrected, it wouldn’t just be awkward for him and Xorn, but all of Krakoa. However, that potentially awkward conversation was totally avoided in X-Men’s Krakoan Era, and that’s probably for the best.
