WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Marauders #17 by Gerry Duggan, Matteo Lolli, Edgar Delgado & VC's Cory Petit, on sale now.
Krakoa has given the X-Men and the rest of mutant-kind a lot more autonomy and power in the world. That hasn't reduced the number of enemies they have to contend with -- but it means they can approach them in unique ways. Now, the leaders of the Marauders just found the perfect way to expand their interests -- and give the X-Men a foothold in a major Marvel nation.
The Hellfire Trading Corporation just took a first major step to establish themselves as power players in Madripoor -- but what does this mean for Krakoa going forward?
The Hellfire Trading Corporation has become one of the most important arms of Krakoa society. It's through them that mutants are able to share their medicines with the world, bring mutants to a new safe home, and face enemies head-on. However, Emma Frost believes the group needs to expand their reach and their power to keep up with the challenges of the world. With Emma and Kate Pryde effectively in control of Hellfire following their attack on Sebastian Shaw, they're able to instill their plans into motion quickly -- especially when it comes to Madripoor. The small nation has been a major setting for mutants over the years, with it now under the control of Verendi -- a band of anti-mutant leaders, including the previous holders of the Hellfire Club moniker.
However, upon thanking the people who protected Lockheed following her demise, Kate Pryde discovers that the Verendi are trying to clear out the Madripoor low-town district to make room for new construction. While thanking the people who helped Lockheed after her brief death, Kate learns of the locals being cleared out of their homes. Rather than watch the people she owes a debt to be forced out of their homes, Kate and Emma are able to actually procure the Lowtown District. On top of procuring the rights to a hospital and multiple homes, the Hellfire Trading Corporation also buys out multiple vacant lots and the airspace above the whole area -- suggesting the Hellfire Trading Corporation may set up some headquarters there that could serve as a new base of operations for them and Krakoa as a whole.
This could give the X-Men a major new base of operations on Madripoor and a foothold on the island. Its placement in the heart of the Asian continent could allow the X-Men to use it more or less as a staging ground for deliveries of supplies and medicines around the area. On top of everything, the Hellfire Trading Corporation didn't try to hide their purchase behind shell companies. They bought the property loudly and proudly, implying to the US government-sanctioned X-Desk that the X-Men want to make it clear that they're stepping on the Verendi's toes and intend to spread their influence through Madripoor.
Madripoor could be the perfect place for Krakoa to really instill themselves into human culture, further solidifying their place in the global political eco-system and giving them a leg up against their competition. It also sets up the X-Men to have a vested interest in a location that they have plenty of experience with thanks to the likes of Wolverine. With figures like M and Angel rebuilding X-Corp, it might even play into further expanding interests of Krakoa power players.
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