Almost two years after Marvel’s mutants changed forever with the acclaimed reboot House of X and Powers of X, the X-Men are celebrating their triumph in style with the ongoing Hellfire Gala.
But while some mutants were born to strut the green carpet, others don’t quite have what it takes to get the cameras flashing.
Storm: Ororo could wear a burlap sack and she would still look better than anyone else in the room.
Like a contestant on RuPaul’s race to find Krakoa’s next drag superstar, the telepathic mutant channeled Rihanna – she shined “bright like a diamond” – as she dropped not one, not two, but three looks, two of which complemented her diamond-phasing ability.
Mystique: During Pride Month no less, queer queen Mystique, who’s usually more comfortable in her own skin aren’t allowed.
Turning her hound outfit into high fashion sends a clear message to the puny humans in attendance at the Gala: Rachel went through Hell and back so she could strut this carpet.
Colossus: This year’s resident zaddy distinction goes to Colossus, who brought a side hair fade, a thick beard, thique thighs, high-fashion Lululemon jeggings, a dramatic cape, and yes a brow-raising bulge to the party.
Wolverine: It’s a big night for Laura Kinney.
Professor X: There’s something about Charles designing a dressed-up party version of his obnoxiously large Cerebro helmet for the Hellfire Gala, but throwing on as many beads and chains you can find at Party City doesn’t necessarily make a look.
Magneto: Well, the Master of Magnetism certainly made some choices here, and he gets points for putting in the effort.
Magik: Like Illyana herself, this outfit is lingering in Limbo, both in terms of the fabric itself looking like it resides in two dimensions, but also our feelings on it.
In the wake of the disturbing revelation at the end of Way of X #2, Kurt has been teleporting through the Gala and drunkenly haranguing other mutants.
We get that as Captain-Commander of Krakoa, it fell to Cyclops to make conversation with human dignitaries like Captain America and Kevin Feige, but it feels like he could’ve tried a little harder if he wanted to blast our optics.
As Tim Gunn would say as he lowers his glasses, there’s a lot going on here: the ice wings, the ice train, the ice heels, the ice corset, the ice sunglasses.
It’s a solid look for a decades-themed party or palling around Manhattan’s East Village, but for a gala, we want camp, we want drama, we want fantasy, we want expensive – not necessarily Stranger Things casual.
On top of being crowned Red Queen of the Hellfire Trading Company and commanding her own mutant pirate ship, Kate has also finally started kissing girls on the panel.
Mister Sinister: As always, the question remains the same: You can talk the talk, but can you walk the walk? Sinister is not afraid to boast about his outfit, especially to his Quiet Council rival Exodus.