"Hellfire Gala" was initially a 12-part X-Men comic book storyline published by Marvel Comics in June 2021. It is the first storyline featured in the "Reign of X" relaunch after the "X of Swords" storyline.[1] Krakoa opens its gates to non-mutants to celebrate mutant culture at an evening party. The gala unveiled the new team of X-Men and showcased the terraforming of Mars into Planet Arrako.
It subsequently became an annual event in the Krakoan Age with the one-shots X-Men: Hellfire Gala #1 published in July 2022 and X-Men Hellfire Gala 2023 #1 published in July 2023.[2][3][4] In the lead up to each Hellfire Gala, Marvel conducted a fan vote to decide on members of the new X-Men team.[2][5][6]
The Hellfire Gala and an X-Men election was initially teased in issues such as Marauders #7 and #10 and X-Men #16.[7][8][9] In January 2021, Marvel then announced a fan election to choose the members of the new Krakoan X-Men team.[10] In April 2021, the team roster was revealed: Cyclops, Jean Grey, Polaris, Sunfire, Synch, Wolverine (Laura Kinney), Rogue.[11] An in-universe election was also held which showcased how various mutants voted and reactions to the results.[12][13]
These X-Men would debut in Planet-Sized X-Men #1 (June 2021), written by Gerry Duggan with art by Pepe Larraz, during the twelve part Hellfire Gala event storyline.[14][12] The Hellfire Gala was inspired by the Met Gala; Russell Dauterman designed the costumes for many of the X-Men characters who appeared in the event.[15] In addition, the Hellfire Gala had Marvel Comics caricatures of actual celebrities as attendees to this event that consists of Scott Adsit, Pete Alonso, Steve Aoki, Saquon Barkley, DMC, Eminem, Kevin Feige, Nick Foles, Coco Gauff, Ira Glass, James Monroe Iglehart, Gabriel Iglesias, Aaron Judge, Jimmy Kimmel, Method Man, Jason Mantzoukas, Marc Maron, George R. R. Martin, Killer Mike, Alex Morgan, Seth Meyers, Conan O'Brien, Patton Oswalt, El-P, Adrianne Palicki, Megan Rapinoe, Paul Scheer, and Taboo.[16]
During Marvel's X-Men Comic-Con At Home panel on SDCC 2021, the X-Men creative team agreed that an annual Hellfire Gala and X-Men vote were warranted.[2]
A second X-Men election was announced with results revealed in the second Hellfire Gala.[17][18][19] The one-shot issue addressed the resurrection protocols becoming public knowledge and announced the new roster comprising Cyclops, Marvel Girl, Synch, Firestar, Magik, Forge, Havok and Iceman.[20]
A Marvel Comics caricature of Jon Hamm appeared as one of the Hellfire Gala attendees.[21][22]
During Marvel's Judgment Day panel on SDCC 2022, Nick Lowe and C.B. Beluski revealed that plans for the X-Men extend to 2024 building towards what Jonathan Hickman planned before he left, including the third annual Hellfire Gala.[23] During the Next Big Thing panel on NYCC 2022, Lowe mentioned that there will be another Hellfire Gala before the Fall of X event.[3] It was written by Gerry Duggan, with art by Adam Kubert, Luciano Vecchio, Matteo Lolli, Russell Dauterman, Javier Pina, R.B. Silva, Joshua Cassara, Kris Anka, and Pepe Larraz.[24]
A third X-Men election was announced with the results to be revealed in the third Hellfire Gala.[25] The one-shot issue would launch the Fall of X event after a series of devastating revelations.[26] Marvel also announced that Kamala Khan's resurrection story would begin with the X-Men Hellfire Gala 2023 #1 one-shot that was released on July 26, 2023.[27][28]
A Marvel Comics caricature of Declan Shalvey who served as Ireland's ambassador appeared as one of the Hellfire Gala attendees.[29][30]
The gala was first mentioned during a conversation between Emma Frost and Callisto when the former asked the latter to be the White Knight of the Hellfire Trading Company.[31] Emma Frost asks Magneto to procure and develop an island as a secondary base of operations for the Hellfire Trading Company.[32] Emma invites the Inner Circle to the island of Mykines and announces that they will be hosting mutantkind's first state dinner. Kitty Pryde sends the first invitation to the Homines Verendi.[33]
Cyclops and Jean Grey co-lead a new X-Men team; an election is to be held and the unveiling of the team is to be announced at the Hellfire Gala.[34] Captain America meets with Cyclops at Westchester, questioning the expansion of Krakoa and mutant population.[35] Magneto discusses his plans for Arakko to Isca the Unbeaten and the Quiet Council, and recruits Omega-level mutants from Krakoa and Arakko for the mission.[35]
The gala starts with an opening remark from Emma Frost and a telepathic concert performed by Rhapsody, Marvel Girl, and the Five-in-One.[36]
During the gala, other things happen on the sidelines and elsewhere:
S.W.O.R.D. leader Abigail Brand meets with the galactic representatives to acknowledge Planet Arakko as the capital planet of the Sol System with Storm as the Queen Regent in exchange for a supply of mysterium.[46][53]
The murder of Scarlet Witch during the gala is the focus of Trial of Magneto.[41][54]
The mutant resurrection protocols remained a secret from the world until X-Men #12 (June 2022), during the Destiny of X phase, when reporter Ben Urich broke the news of the mutant resurrection in the Daily Bugle after interviewing Cyclops.[55][56][57] The attendees of the Hellfire Gala ended up focusing on this revelation when the event "was meant to highlight mutant contributions to medicine".[4] Emma Frost "telepathically conducted the second annual X-Men election. While Rogue, Laura Kinney’s Wolverine, Polaris, and Sunfire stepped away from the team, Cyclops, Jean Grey, and Synch successfully asked to be re-elected. After Firestar was nominated to join the group, Forge, Havok, Magik, and Iceman were also elected to round out the team".[4]