WARNING: The following contains spoilers for S.W.O.R.D. #5, by Al Ewing, Valerio Schiti, Marte Gracia and VC's Ariana Maher, on sale now.
Professor X has a varied and colorful history that's made him the mutant leader he is today. Along the way, Charles Xavier has made several strong connections, with both friends and foes. And in S.W.O.R.D. #5, Professor X reunited with an old flame, one who has done much good for the benefit of Krakoa.
Following a meeting with Fabian Cortez, Voght, who's currently part of the new mutant-based S.W.O.R.D., paired off with Xaiver after Cortez was replaced as one of the Six, the mutants who power S.W.O.R.D.'s cosmic aims. This interaction seems to be very friendly in nature, as Amelia notes that they've both been busy. Now that they have the time, Amelia says, the two of them can properly catch up. The two of them walk off, presumably continuing their reunion off-panel..
Professor X's warm reunion with Amelia Voght is a pleasant surprise, considering their tragic romantic history. Xavier and Amelia's shared backstory was revealed in 1994's Uncanny X-Men #309, by Scott Lobdell and John Romita, Jr. When Xavier first met Amelia, he had just lost the use of his legs, and was recovering in India. Amelia was stationed as a nurse, helping Charles get over his physical and mental struggle. The two of them fell in love, and came to the United States, where they both learned that the other was a mutant.
While this shared identity connected Xavier and Amelia, they were philosophically divided. Xavier believed in human/mutant coexistence, and Amelia wanted mutants to stay hidden to avoid catastrophe. When Professor X formed the X-Men, Amelia left him, later joining Magneto's Acolytes. It wasn't until 2009's X-Men: Legacy #225 by Mike Carey and Phil Briones that Amelia finally forgave Charles for past mistakes.
Now, as part of S.W.O.R.D., the mutant space program, Amelia has helped Charles and Krakoa achieve mutant prosperity. In S.W.O.R.D. #5, Amelia killed off several members of an alien royal family known as the Zn'rx, placing Kuga of the Bhoa Clan in charge and ending the Snarkwar within the Zn'rx people. By ending this conflict, Amelia has ensured a new ally for the Krakoans, which is a great boon for mutant kind.
In order to accomplish her mission, Amelia also recruited Khora of the Burning Heart, a mutant from the harsh realm of Arakko. By working with Khora, Amelia has begun to bridge the gap between Krakoa and Arakko after the two mutant lands went to war in X of Swords. It's also worth mentioning that Khora is replacing Fabian Cortez as one of the Six, a vital component of S.W.O.R.D. Not only has Amelia reached out to Krakoa, she's also eliminated Cortez, a major nuisance, from S.W.O.R.D.'s roster.
It's particularly ironic that Amelia found Cortez's replacement, considering their clashes during their time with the Acolytes. Considering Amelia's aversion to killing humans, it's only natural that she would despise Cortez, who advocated for violence. All of Amelia's actions show how much she's grown during the Krakoan era. With mutants safe and prospering, Amelia doesn't have the same concern for staying hidden that she did before.
Moreover, she doesn't need to ally herself with radical groups like the Acolytes. Instead, Amelia can work with Xavier to ensure mutant prosperity, helping him work in the best interests of all mutants. While Amelia does work in some morally gray areas, she still works for the good of Krakoa and the larger Marvel Universe, a goal that she can now share with Charles Xavier. By securing alien alliances, such as the Zn'rx, Amelia has ensured that Krakoa has some extra protection in the future.
Professor X and Amelia Voght can finally reunite over a shared purpose, putting their troubled past behind them and potentially rekindling an old flame. Even if they do just remain friends, Professor X and Amelia Voght are demonstrating that Krakoa has truly united almost all of mutantkind.
0 Comments