The following contains spoilers for X-Men #33, on sale April 3 from Marvel Comics.
The X-Men have just trapped their greatest adversaries, the mutant-hating Orchis, within the Morlock’s old stomping ground. After their capture, the members of the organization are shortly met by one of the Marvel Universe’s most lethal mutants — and there is no holding him back.
As the armies of Orchis hunt down the few remaining free mutants on Earth in the pages of X-Men #33, a group of soldiers find themselves navigating the dark, dank tunnels deep below New York City. Instead of coming across any cowering refugees, however, Orchis’ agents are greeted by none other than Wolverine, who wastes no time teaching them just how unwelcoming the Morlock Tunnels can truly be.
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X-Men #33
- Written by GERRY DUGGAN
- Art by JOSHUA CASSARA
- Colorist by ROMULO FAJARDO JR.
- Design by TOM MULLER & JAY BOWEN
- Letterer VC’s CLAYTON COWLES
- Cover by JOSHUA CASSARA & GURU-eFX
- Variant Cover Artists by TAURIN CLARKE, GREG & TIM HILDEBRANDT, LEE GARBETT & YEN NITRO, and RUSSELL DAUTERMAN & MATTHEW WILSON
Introduced back in 1983’s Uncanny X-Men #169 by writer Chris Claremont and artist Paul Smith, the Morlocks are a tight-knit band of mutants who have made their home beneath the streets of NYC in a series of tunnels that run all the way out beyond the city, and even the state’s borders. Led by Callisto, whose superhuman senses and impossible tactical mind made her a prime candidate for the role, the Morlocks have been at the heart of numerous storylines over the years.
When Orchis launched their all-out assault on mutantkind during the most recent Hellfire Gala, mutants all over the world and beyond were left looking for safe refuge anywhere they could find it. Though many mutants were sent into the endless expanse of the White Hot Room by Professor Charles Xavier, others made their way to the planet formerly known as Mars, now Arrako. The Morlocks who were still in their subterranean home, however, were largely untouched by Orchis’ efforts.
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More recently, it was revealed that Orchis’ grand plan includes dire consequences for humanity and mutantkind alike. Rather than standing as a testament to humanity’s purported greatness, the artificial intelligence within Orchis’ leadership has made great strides in obliterating all organic life in favor of ushering in the rise of Dominion. These near-omnipotent beings are the highest known form of intelligence in the Marvel Universe and are currently represented by the Dominion, Enigma.
X-Men #33 is on sale April 3 from Marvel Comics.
Source: Marvel Comics
X-Men
Since their debut in 1963, Marvel’s X-Men have been more than just another superhero team. While the team really hit its stride as the All New, All Different X-Men in 1975, Marvel’s heroic mutants have always operated as super-outcasts, protecting a world that hates and fears them for their powers.
Key members of the X-Men include Professor X, Jean Grey, Cyclops, Wolverine, Iceman, Beast, Rogue, and Storm. Often framed as the world’s second strongest superheroes, after the Avengers, they are nonetheless one of Marvel’s most popular and important franchises.
