Warning: Contains spoilers forNYX #8!!
As a long-timeX-Menfan, I have come to accept that when it comes toromantic storylines for Marvel’s mutants, I tend to root for pairings that never quite manage to make the finish line,but nowNYXhas given me a spark of hope that one of my favorite romances might make a comebackasLaura Kinney and Hellion reunite at last.
NYX#8 – written by Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly, with art by Francesco Mortarino – has quickly become one of my personal favorite comic issues in the last decade. Not only did I (and every other Julian fan) finallysee Hellion get the treatmenthe deserves, but the creative team expertly handled his complex dynamic and history with Laura Kinney, potentially rekindling their old romance in the process.
What began as an explosive confrontation became a gripping recap of their relationship, reminding fans of Hellion’s incredible impact on Wolverine’s life, and provinf that they’ve always understood each other at the core.
Wolverine & Hellion’s Bond Reveals the Truth About The Krakoan, In A Moment I’ve Been Hoping For
NYX#8 – Written By Jackson Lanzing & Collin Kelly; Art By Francisco Mortarino; Color By Raul Angulo; Lettering By Joe Sabino
The Krakoan was previously lauded asX-Men’s next great villain– a fact I immediately lamented when his identity was revealed to be Julian Keller. I’ve spent seven issues waiting to see the Hellion I know and love, and I always tied that hope toLaura Kinney’s presencein the title. The history between the two characters is rich with conflict but was originally built on a level of deep understanding thatNYX#8 took full ownership of. Laura Kinney broke through Julian’s facade and saw him as more than a monster - just as he once did for her.
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After their initial confrontation, Laura thinks back over their earliest days together and what drew her to Julian in the first place. Though she recognized that she’d created some idealized version of him, that didn’t eclipse the fact that she knew he’d never been a bad person. By the time she returned, she did exactly what I’d hoped for. Wolverine reached beyond Hellion’s anger and trauma for the truth: he’s always been a superhero.I knew they could bring out the best in each other again, andNYXfinally gave them the chance to show it.
Hellion & Wolverine Share A Tumultuous History, Which Pays Off In The Latest Issue Of “NYX”
They’ve Witnessed The Best & Worst Of Each Other
Laura’s conversation with Kiden offers a solid look back at her and Hellion’s past, but a couple of pages isn’t quite enough to capture everything they meant to one another. WhenWolverine brought X-23 to Xavier’s school, placing her with the Academy X class of students, she wasn’t exactly met with a wealth of support. She was met with fear and suspicion, and Hellion stepped up as one of the first people to see beyond that. For a while, it was “only him” according to Laura, and I remember how much Hellion defended her, verbally and physically, to his own detriment.
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Yet, while I’ll always love the incredible dynamic between Hellion and Wolverine, their past is hardly all roses. Julian has never been one to hold his tongue, and any hurt, disappointment, or anger he feels often manifests in cruel outbursts. He experienced all that in spades after losing his hands to a Nimrod Sentinel, and when Laura rejected the romantic feelings he thought they still shared, he lashed out.Their last meeting was highly reminiscent of the confrontation inNYX#8, which I’ll admit had me on edge, but Laura’s own growth gave both of them a different ending.
Rekindling The Relationship Between Julian Keller & Laura Kinney Could Enrich Both Characters
Looking Ahead To What’s Next For ThisNYXPair
Though claiming that Laura and Julian are rekindling their old romance might still be a touch of wishful thinking on my part, I think there’s at least a clear path toward building a new friendship. It’s something that Hellion desperately needs to move forward, andthis time Laura is the one positioned to offer what he once gave her: trust and stability.I’ll be thrilled if that translates into something romantic, yet I’ll be plenty satisfied to see them together in any capacity. They’ve both saved each other and, more importantly, continue to see one another as worthy of saving.
X-Men finally breathed new life into my favorite romance, and I believe Hellion and Wolverine continue to have a complex, interesting dynamic worth exploring further.
Wolverine is already embarking on a new chapter of her life and, until his appearance as the Krakoan, Julian Keller has been little more than a background figure in the franchise for years. Both characters have room togrow together after reuniting in NYX. I can only hope that Marvel harnesses the energy between them and turns it into something bigger, whether that translates to working together as heroes, forming a stronger friendship, or more.X-Menfinally breathed new life into my favorite romance, and I believe Hellion and Wolverine continue to have a complex, interesting dynamic worth exploring further.
