Warning: Spoilers for X-Factor #7
A crucial piece ofX-Menlore is undergoing a massive overhaul, redefining its place in the Marvel Universe. Genosha, the mutant homeland that’s been decimated by tragedy in the past, has faced yet another upheaval as its name is changed to Gigosha. This superficial update isn’t all that’s different about Genosha, though, which the X-Men have learned the hard way.
InX-Factor#7 by Mark Russell, Bob Quinn, Jesus Aburtov, and Joe Caramagna, the titular line-up of X-Men heroes is given an important mission in the wake of Doctor Doom’s worldwide takeover.Angel is tasked with leading his teamto Gigosha - the nation formerly known as Genosha - to destroy a powerful super-computer that could cause a global catastrophe if Doom were to get his hands on it.
Along with its name change, Gigosha has become"a new kind of nation, governed entirely by an ever-changing algorithm". This AI-powered country differs greatly from the original vision for Genosha, giving it a new role in X-Men lore.
Genosha No More: X-Men’s Mutant Nation Changes Its Name to Gigosha
Formerly the X-Men’s Safe Haven, Gigosha Is Now Controlled by AI
Prior to its rebirth as Gigosha,Genosha was still desecrated after its infamous genocidehad taken place and reduced it to rubble years before. However, because of how little demand there was for it, humans were able to take advantage of the situation by doing whatever they pleased with it. Namely, greedy tech mogul Ethan Farthing has seized the opportunity to build Gigosha atop the remains of theSentinel massacre. With no regard for the mutant nation’s history,Farthing designs an AI algorithm that can govern the country in lieu of elected officials, all of which is controlled by what Angel describes as “the most powerful computer ever made”.
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WhenX-Factorreaches Gigosha, the team quickly learns that there’s something sinister afoot in the so-called AI republic. A country being ruled over by artificial intelligence rather than an actual sentient mind is troubling enough, but Angel then discovers thatthe inhabitants of Gigosha receive a neural implant that connects them to the algorithm and can be used to commandeer them when needed. Essentially, at any given moment, Gigosha’s citizens can become mindless zombies who attack anyone who tries to interfere with the computer’s AI generation. With this twist, the former Genosha has devolved from a utopia for mutants to a technological nightmare.
What Is Genosha? The History of X-Men’s Mutant Homeland Is Full of Tragedy
Before It Became Gigosha, Genosha Was Marred by Destruction
The Republic of Genosha, which first appeared in 1988’sUncanny X-Men#235 by Chris Claremont and Rick Leonardi, was re-branded as a safe haven for all mutantkind with help fromMagnetoafter he freed its mutant population from slavery. The intention had been for Genosha to consist of mutants alone as a nation where they could live without fear of human oppression, though that attempt at peace didn’t last long. Eventually,Cassandra Nova- the evil twin of Charles Xavier - unleashed her Wild Sentinels upon Genosha and caused a genocide that destroyed the land that mutants had found solace in.
The genocide in Genosha took place during the “E Is for Extinction” arc of Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely’sNew X-Men, which is available now in trade paperback and omnibus formats from Marvel Comics.
Cassandra Nova’s infamous Genoshan genocide shook the X-Men to their core, as a majority of the world’s mutants were killed off in horrific fashion.16 million mutants lost their lives in the devastatingattack on Genosha, according to a data page fromHouse of X#4. Thus, the overall mutant population was reduced to a few hundred survivors after the massacre. For years, the remaining X-Men were left without countless brethren and without a true home to call their own, untilKrakoa became a new refuge for mutants- and ultimately culminated in the genocide’s long-awaited reversal.
X-Men’s Genoshan Genocide Was Reversed, But Gigosha Marks a Turn for Worse
Despite the Genoshan Victims Being Restored, Gigosha Isn’t Faring Well
InX-Men#35, which signaled theending of the Krakoan Era, all 16 million deceasedmutants were resurrectedwhen Kafka brought New Krakoa from the White Hot Room to Earth. The mutants celebrated a historic victory with the undoing of Genosha’s mass extinction event, yet its current AI takeover by Farthing has once again marred its reputation. Regardless of the name it’s using, this mutant nation can’t escape being a backdrop for disaster. TheX-Menhave a lot of work to do if they want to restore Gigosha to its former glory as Genosha, but they might be better off moving on from this ill-fated territory.
