Warning: Spoilers for S.W.O.R.D. #5 and Cable #10!
In the latest issue of Al Ewing’s and Valerio Schiti’s S.W.O.R.D., Marvel Comics’ X-Men have unwittingly given Arakko the reigns to an interstellar empire of superpower-stealing reptilian aliens: the Zn’rx, more commonly known as the Snarks. Now that Krakoans are making their presence known on a galactic scale, they’re having to exert their influence in any way they can. Lacking the scope and resources of the Kree/Skrull Alliance and the Shi’ar Empire, mutantdom is brokering power behind the scenes using their political connections, committing political assassinations, and exploiting a new branch of mutant technology.
The last readers saw of the Snarks was in the middle of the King in Black storyline. Manifold, offering mutant superpowers in exchange for the Snark’s armada of interstellar ships to combat Knull. The meeting was unsuccessful, and shortly after departing, the Snark was assassinated. In this month’s S.W.O.R.D. #5, it’s revealed that the coup was actually carried out by an agent of Arakko.
Thanks to the see X of Swords for more information), it seems unwise to hand them the keys to a powerful army. Krakoa is quick to take ownership of the favor owed by the current ruler of the Snark, but the deeds themselves were executed by Arakko. At its core, Zn’rx culture is based on war and bloodshed. It’s entirely possible they’d recognize Arakko as the true mutant authority on Earth.
Officially allies, the Arakkii have been conspicuously quiet since their island appeared on Earth—directly adjacent to Krakoa—at the end of the X of Swords crossover event. It was at this point that readers also learned that the two mutant islands—separated for millennia—had grown too far apart to even communicate with one another. What’s more, the inhabitants of Arakko and Krakoa haven’t mixed either. Until now, that is. In Cable #10, by Gerry Duggan and Phil Noto, readers get a better sense of how imperfect the truce is between both nations during a pub brawl in London. They may all be mutants, but at the moment they are miles away from being united, and therein lies the rub. By all s, Arakko is a sovereign nation in its own right. The Quiet Council may be in control of the affairs of Krakoa, but their best laid plans won’t always hold up against Arakko’s interference.
With S.W.O.R.D. trying to position itself as both a mutant space program and S.H.I.E.L.D.’S cosmic counterpart, it may have too much on its plate to recognize the potential threat they’ve just created. Readers of the current X-Men continuity will already be aware that Marvel Comics’ mutant heroes are slowly becoming the victims of their own success. Hopefully, these bold moves don’t come back to haunt them.
