The following contains major spoilers for Marauders #3, available now from Marvel.
Marvel may have just killed a major X-Men character, Xandra, for a shocking reason in Marauders #3.
Marauders #3 comes from writer Steve Orlando, artist Eleonora Carlini, color artist Matt Milla and letterer VC's Ariana Maher. In the issue, the Kin Crimson is actively working to undermine the Shi'Ar Empire and cause a civil war that could have dire consequences for the Marvel Universe. Xandra, the daughter of Charles Xavier and Lilandra Neramani and current Majestrix of the Shi'ar Empire, is initially trying to prevent any forthcoming feud; however, she eventually decides to assist the Marauders and has Delphos, a member of Kin Crimson, arrested for treason. "It is not just mutant history on the line, but our own," she tells the Marauders after sentencing Delphos. "...The Kin Crimson claims to protect our shames. But only the weak stare blindly at their mistakes."
A short while later, the Marauders and Xandra arrive at the Krag to retrieve the Shi'ar Chronicle. Moments after arriving, they're greeted by the Kin Crimson's nobles, who appear kindly at first but quickly reveal themselves to be anything but. "It is our pleasure to receive you," one of them says. "...And as Nobles of the Kin Crimson, execute your sentence...for treason."
The Nobles of Kin Crimson fire a weapon directly into Xandra's torso, suggesting that a coup has officially been made to overthrow the Majestrix. While Xandra's fate is left unknown, the Marauders realize they're in trouble and will likely have to fight their way out of the situation they've now found themselves in. "Bishop," Kate Pryde says. "I hope you brought enough guns for everyone."
Solicitation information for Marauders #4, which releases July 13, hints at a potential jailbreak in the team's future, as well as growing tension between the Shi'Ar Empire and the Kin Crimson. The synopsis reads, "THE FIRST GENERATION OF MUTANTKIND? The Marauders have gotten some jailbreak mixed into their heist! Pryde and her crew might've convinced Xandra to confront the Shi'ar's crimes against mutantkind together, but the fanatical Kin Crimson are ready to defend those secrets to the death. What hidden truths and horrors does the Shi'ar Chronicle hold? Deep in a pandimensional prison lies the answer - but will it unite two societies in progress, or destroy them both?"
Marauders #3 features cover art by Kael Ngu and variant cover art by David Baldeón and Israel Silva. The issue is on sale now from Marvel.
Source: Marvel