WARNING: The following contains for X-Men #21 by Jonathan Hickman, Nick Dragotta, Russell Dauterman, Lucas Werneck, Sara Pichelli, Frank Martin, Matthew Wilson, Sunny Gho, Nolan Woodard & VC's Clayton Cowles, on sale now.
Amidst the celebration of the Hellfire Gala and the unveiling of the newest roster of X-Men, it is also a night for Krakoa to continue in its many schemes to strengthen their influence and build new relationships with potential allies and enemies. One continuing issue for the mutant nation is their loss of two members within the Quiet Council, fueling the need for new mutants to join the Council and leading Professor X and Magneto to approach the King of Atlantis, Namor. Although the two mutant leaders are promptly refused by the Atlantean king, it is Namor's next choice of company that suggests another team of Marvel heroes are reuniting for their own plans.
After reminding Professor X and Magneto that their island is still not worth his attention, Namor joins an awaiting group of heroes that consists of Iron Man, Black Panther, Captain America, Doctor Strange, and Mr. Fantastic, who are all human guests for the evening. More importantly, they are all members of Marvel's Illuminati, a group of pivotal heroes that sought to direct and manipulate events to further their own secret agenda. While Black Bolt remains missing since the Inhumans were nearly all killed by the Kree, it appears that these heroes are intent on discussing their own propositions with Namor, excluding their former mutant members Professor X and Beast.
With this discussion at the Hellfire Gala, it seems that the Illuminati could be making their return to the Marvel universe as a potential opposing force to the machinations of Krakoa and its Quiet Council. Looking at the Illuminati, most of these heroes hold a contentious relationship with mutants at the moment. As members of the Avengers, Earth's Mightiest Heroes, Iron Man and Captain America have engaged in many tense encounters with Krakoa, most recently involving the young copycat team calling themselves the Children of the Atom. Black Panther also cut relations with Krakoa when Storm was caught stealing a vibranium blade in preparation for the X of Swords tournament. Mr. Fantastic also holds a bitter relationship with Professor X, following their interest and then dismissal of his son, Franklin, who was thought to be an omega mutant.
Thanks to his stint writer New Avengers, Jonathan Hickman, architect of the X-Men's current line, is also no stranger to the Illuminati, having detailed their struggle against the Incursions in the lead-up to Secret Wars, Marvel's recent multiversal war. During this period, the Illuminati fell to infighting and the sheer impossibility of their mission to prevent the collapse of parallel dimensions. Yet, with most members having forgotten these events after reality was restored, it seems that these members may feel that the uncertain future of Earth, linked to the mutants' own plans, may demand that the team forms once again and implements their own plans in the coming days.
Namor's inclusion within this latest iteration of the Illuminati also raises questions, considering his relationship with the surface world and the Avengers. Having tired of the surface world's dismissal of the oceans and their treatment of his territory, Namor declared war on the rest of the world, leading him to battling the Avengers and summoning the Phoenix Force in a bid for power. Yet, should the threat be great enough or the need be there, the Illuminati have been known to look past difficult relationships in their secretive endeavors. At one such point, the nations of Atlantis and Wakanda were at war, as Namor and Black Panther both remained members. Perhaps, in his quest to expand Atlantis' status, Namor has found a much better offer with the human heroes of the Illuminati.
With only a brief glimpse of this reunion, it is unclear when the Illuminati will make their return or if more members will fill their ranks next. Regardless, as the Marvel universe continues to expand and more plans from its various corners begin to take shape, the heroes within the Illuminati are most likely prepared to take a controlling hand in the fate of the Marvel Universe.