Warning: The following contains spoilers for New Mutants #19, by Vita Ayala, Alex Luns, Matt Milla and VC's Travis Lanham, on sale now.
The "Hellfire Gala" has, among other things, been a time for reconciliation and diplomacy. Krakoa has reached out to the human world, reconnecting with allies like the Avengers or Fantastic Four along the way. The gala has also brought some old friends back together, such as Cypher and Warlock of the New Mutants.
This long-awaited reunion takes place in New Mutants #19, by Vita Ayala and Alex Luns. During the gala, Warlock is generally following around the rest of the New Mutants, such as Dani Moonstar, Karma, Magik and Warpath, unsure of what he should be doing. Eventually, Warpath has enough, asking Warlock why he keeps following everyone around and mimicking them. Warlock admits that he's lonely, since his best friend, Cypher hasn't had time for him since he married Bei the Blood Moon in Otherworld.
By hanging out with the rest of the New Mutants, which he's done since 2020's New Mutants #14, by Vita Ayala and Rod Reis, Warlock has tried to replace Cypher, the same way he's felt replaced. Warpath tells Warlock that there are some people in your life that you can't replace, because they're family. According to Warpath, Doug probably misses Warlock too, and he could never replace him. Immediately after this talk, Warpath sends Warlock to speak with Cypher. Everything seems to work out, since Warlock and Cypher are seen getting along almost immediately. Moreover, Bei seems very accepting of Warlock's friendship with her husband, alleviating any potential concerns around this new dynamic.
This reunion is nice to see, especially since the aftermath of "X of Swords." It's been a rough road for Warlock since Cypher got married, leaving him generally bored and lonely. Cypher is probably the most important person in Warlock's life, so seeing him grow so close to someone else has to be very isolating. Now, however, Cypher and Warlock have rekindled a friendship that began way back in 1984's New Mutants #21, by Chris Claremont and Bill Sienkiewicz. Back then, Cypher was the only one who could understand Warlock, who had just arrived on Earth. The two formed a connection, joining the New Mutants together.
Ever since, there have been few occasions where Cypher and Warlock have been apart. Even during the "Dawn of X" era, Cypher was initially hiding Warlock as part of his arm. The two temporarily merged, even working together during battle. Right up until "X of Swords," Cypher and Warlock were closer than ever. During the Krakoan era, however, mutantkind has truly expanded its horizons. Krakoa's influence has spread across the globe and even into outer space, leading to many changes at once. Things are certainly changing quickly for mutantkind, so it's nice to see that some things remain the same.
Friends like Warlock and Cypher are a reminder of the smaller, more personal connections on Krakoa that make everything worthwhile. Even in the midst of forming a new nation, there is still time for old friends to bond. There are still many looming threats for mutantkind, including Orchis and even enemies within Krakoa. It's nice to see that, even with all of the drama still going on, there are plenty of chances for friends to reconnect. For the time being, mutantkind has a chance to relax and unwind with old friends. Much of the idea behind the Hellfire Gala has been to reconnect with others, be they human or mutant. Warlock and Cypher's enduring bond is a testament to this purpose.