X-Men Monday #115 - Valerio Schiti Talks Art, Inspirations, ‘Inferno’ and More

[JB]

https://aiptcomics.com/2021/07/19/x-...iti-interview/

AIPT: And finally, who are you having the most fun drawing in Inferno so far?

Valerio: It was great to draw Illyana Rasputin in Inferno.



AIPT: Speaking of the highly anticipated Inferno, how far into drawing it are you and how’s it coming along?

Valerio: Things are going great. We’re working together, every artist is drawing his chapter and Jonathan is writing for all of us at the same time. We’re sharing references, pages and everything that could be useful to tell this great story and keep it consistent.

Actually, I started a little earlier, so I’m about to complete the first chapter.



AIPT: Finally, without spoiling anything, what can you tease about the visuals readers will encounter in the pages of Inferno?

Valerio: Readers will find some new cool places and new corners of Krakoa, but also a lot of familiar things. But this time, you’ll see those things from a different point of view, adding pieces to the big puzzle that Hickman has been building since House of X and Powers of X.

[JB]

Two eXclusive Valerio panels from Inferno, courtesy of X-Men Senior Editor Jordan D. White!

[Exodus]

Khora would be a perfect opportunity to finally introduce a proud trans* mutant...just saying!

Love the design of her S.W.O.R.D uniform without jacket.

[ZephyrSurf]

Hmm, that's an interesting pic of Cyke starring at Storm

[Devaishwarya]

I honestly do not know what to expect from Inferno...but that's just how I like it. I am SO EXCITED!!! and a little anxious, truth to tell.

[OmegaStorm87]

Is that Storm reflected on his visor? Thought it was Mystique.

[PhoenixThanos]

Is that Storm reflected on his visor? Thought it was Mystique.

It's definately Mystique

[loke13]

It's definately Mystique

It's Storm

[Filthy Mutie]

It's Storm - you can see the tiara.

[xhx23x]

I'll go for the wildcard and say its Mystique changing into Storm.

[Soulsword323]

Two eXclusive Valerio panels from Inferno, courtesy of X-Men Senior Editor Jordan D. White!

Mystique looks so good. Excited we're getting more of her.

[MarvelMaster616]

Two eXclusive Valerio panels from Inferno, courtesy of X-Men Senior Editor Jordan D. White!

Mystique looks dangerous. This upcoming Inferno event may go down as one of her most defining stories. Can't wait!

[Devaishwarya]

I love Krakoa and what was built but...I love Mystique. And Erik and Charles and Moira did her dirty so yeah...Burn it! (in proper Trini parlance) Bun it tuh-fock dong!

[Grunty]

I love Krakoa and what was built but...I love Mystique. And Erik and Charles and Moira did her dirty so yeah...Burn it! (in proper Trini parlance) Bun it tuh-fock dong!

I was recently thinking about how the whole concept of a mutant nation of Krakoa would feel like a longer lasting concept to me if it wasn't founded by Xavier, Magneto and Moira via a retcon and set of lies, not established via an ominous and depressing storyline like Hox/Pox which just bleaks the tone and sets the course for self destruction and if the X-men weren't forming the primary government and social ruling body.

I find the last part in particular problematic because any failure of this mutant nation (and they start piling up as seen in New Mutants, Way of X, X-force and intentional or not X-factor) will ultimately be the responcibility of the X-men and it becomes frustrating to see supposed to be capable heros (or even just human beings) failing so weirdly at things they should know and be able to do better.

Even if these failures are supposed to be overcome and more there to reflect the early problems of sovereign nationhood, they still reflect badly on the X-men and they are also convinient cracks through which the writers can just let the whole nation crumble to be rid of it eventualy.

However even if the former two parts won't bring the end of Krakao just yet via Inferno, the stories constantly insisting on how mutants are awesome and powerfull now thanks to their nation and how they are making such sweeping changes to the status quo so rapidly, just paints a bigger target on them to be removed for breaking the status quo too much.

If Krakoa was set up by a third party and more as a "flawed yet hopefull" replacement for what once Genosha, with the X-men merely their strong allies, i think they could have had a 50/50 chance to survive a decade and maybe become a fixed entity in the Marvel Universe.

But with these rapid developments which break the status quo of Earths place in the Marvel Universe, the mutants as urban concept and metaphor for minorities, the X-men being moved so widely from their traditional image, the shacky foundation via Hox/Pox and overall tone.

It's destined to burn. I hope at least it will be an interesting spectacle, so the heros can arise proud from the ashes and not a sad sizzling that makes everyone look like soot covered fools.

[Devaishwarya]

Don't get me wrong, Gee. I love everything about how Krakoa was formed...yes even the retcon and lies by omission, and HoX/PoX and the ruling QC etc...everything! But yes, the lies need to be set on fire revealing the truth and Erik and Charles and Moira shown the error of their ways.

Mystique could burn down No Place...but leave the rest of krakoa untouched...that's if it's a literal immolation and not a figurative one.

Interesting thought, though...just how will Krakoa himself react to a direct threat of fire and harm to his person?