Even Krakoa, an ostensible mutant utopia, isn’t immune to the presence of those who challenge society’s good graces – more so when your societal “undesirables” are super-powered mutant villains. So what does Krakoa’s Quiet Council do with those who aren’t given to play nice?
Writer Zeb Wells and artist Steven Segovia will answer that question in Hellions – a newly launching ‘Dawn of X’ team book that puts Havok and Psylocke alongside some of the nastiest baddies ever to storm the Xavier School.
But there’s more to this ragtag team of repeat offenders trying to make good than just X-Men action – they’re also looking for their place in a society that is trying to make room for all mutants, even the worst of the worst.
Newsarama spoke to Wells ahead of Hellions #1‘s March 25 release, digging into the threats – both within and without – that will confront the Hellions, as well as what it takes to get the Quiet Council to unleash a whole squad of loose cannons.
Newsarama: Zeb, Hellions is a unique book in ‘Dawn of X’ as it focuses on characters whose demeanor doesn’t easily fit into Krakoan society. What’s the genesis of this team on Krakoa?
Wells: You actually hit on the genesis of the team right there. This book explores what Krakoa does with mutants who don’t fit in. The ones with a history of violence and “evil.” What does a society do with the anti-social? Especially a utopian mutant society? There’s a lot of meat there.
Nrama: You’ve got two longtime X-Men on the team – Havok and Psylocke – alongside a bunch of folks who have usually been villains. What does that dynamic look like? How does Havok work alongside Mister Sinister, who has had a particularly nefarious interest in Havok’s family over the years?
Wells: Not very well, frankly. It’s not a comfortable situation for anyone involved. Havok is placed on the team after an incident almost gets him thrown in the Pit of Exile. He doesn’t want to be there. None of them particularly do. Psylocke is the babysitter/insurance policy. The Quiet Council knows she won’t let things get out of hand.
Nrama: How did the rest of this team come together? You’ve got some cult favorites here.
Wells: We were looking for a specific “type” of character – incredibly hard to get along with, distasteful past, bad blood with the other Krakoans and little to no interest in fixing that. I was lucky in that a lot of them happen to be characters I’ve always had a fascination with.
Nrama: What kind of threats will Hellions take on? What are they up against as the series launches?
Wells: The team is a barely controlled force of chaos that is only sent on missions where violence and destruction are not only tolerated but encouraged. The Quiet Council hopes this will help them work out their issues. The first arc is a simple demo mission at Mr. Sinister’s clone lab, but what they find there is anything but simple. And they’ve also got to work together while not trusting each other at all. And then Madelyne Pryor shows up and things get really bad.
Nrama: ‘Dawn of X’ has expanded and altered mutantkind’s place in the Marvel Universe. How does Hellions play into that overall landscape? What’s the core theme Hellions brings to the ‘Dawn of X’ line?
Wells: The book asks if Krakoa can rehabilitate their undesirables better than human society – if they can redeem the irredeemable. Can they forgive and move on where humans can’t? It’s all connected to the theme of the ‘Dawn of X’ books, of mutants defining their place in the world.
Nrama: You’re working with artist Steven Segovia. What makes him the perfect artist to take on this team of bad news mutants?
Wells: Stephen’s stuff is wholly original while still feeling like he belongs to the finest pedigree of X-Men artists. His stuff is kinetic and clear. And he’s a good guy to boot. And him and David Curiel make such a good team. The book is beautiful and my words truly can’t do it justice. It just feels like an X-Men book. That’s the most exciting thing to me.
Nrama: What’s your favorite thing he’s drawn for the series so far?
Wells: The first page of issue one is spectacular, but the intro of Orphan-Maker is probably my current favorite page. But I get to see new art every day so it’s constantly changing!
Nrama: What’s in store as Hellions rolls on? How will this series challenge the Krakoan status quo that’s been created?
Wells: The team is a stress test for this new society. Is Krakoa really a home for all mutants? Are they serious about that? How far will they go to prove that true?
But the most important thing for us is that this stress test be fun as hell to read. These characters are wild and the stories have to match that. I can’t wait for people to read what we’ve cooked up!