By: Skyler Johnson
Krakoa has recently become a major aspect of the Marvel Comics Universe. First introduced in Giant-Sized X-Men #1 in 1975, the island made a reappearance in 2018’s House of X/Power of X and has since been explored and expanded. This island has acted as both a conflict for the mutants, as well as a safe haven. To understand the intricacies of the island, it’s important to understand its initial conception.
Physical Description
Krakoa appears to be an island in the Pacific Ocean, similar to Hawai’i, but it is actually sentient and can change its shape and appearance at will. It can also interact with the mutants. For fans of the MCU, think of Starlord’s father in Guardians of the Galaxy 2 but with more ambiguous goals.
Krakoa, as an island, is lush with wildlife. While much of Krakoa has a tropical climate, it has a number of different biomes within the world, including forests and beaches. Many of the island’s inhabitants live within the trees. The island is longer than it is wide, and concaves towards the middle. Most of the Krakoan structures are centered towards the Northern part of the island, with the exception of Hellfire Bay in the South, the stronghold of the Hellfire Trading Company.
History
Krakoa was originally a larger island: Okkara. After an enemy attack, the island split, forming Krakoa and Arakko. The two islands together acted as a gateway to a Hellish dimension, so Apocalypse had to move the latter to another dimension.
Krakoa became a mutant threat in Giant-Size X-Men #1 (1975), as mutants went missing on the island. Upon further investigation, it was revealed that Krakoa consumed them. Eventually, several of the deceased mutants ended up escaping with their lives, and the island was hurled into space and presumed dead for years to come. Several spores of Krakoa were released into the world before launch. These included Krakoa II, which controlled a construction site and killed several workers, and Vega Superior, who took control of Wagner’s Isle and forced the inhabitants to worship it. Both have been defeated.
In House of X/Power of X, it was divulged that Professor X telepathically communicated with the island. Mutants traveled to it and established a sovereign nation, entirely composed of themselves.
There were forces that attempted to harm the island, despite its many defenses, including an attack by shadowy anti-mutant forces and an eco-terrorist group called Hordeculture.
Krakoa was later reunited with Arakko when Apocalypse opened the Eternal Gate allowing for the two to reunite. However, they chose not to merge as the two became very different as a result of the many years apart.
In Inferno, it was unveiled that one of the island nation’s founders, Moira, actually wanted to end mutantkind through the founding of Krakoa. Her plan of destroying mutantkind was foiled and the Quiet Council swore not to speak of it.
Laws and Government
The government of Krakoa is made up of the Quiet Council. The current members of the Quiet Council can be found below:
- Magneto
- Professor X
- Destiny
- Black King
- White Queen
- Red Queen
- Nightcrawler
- Storm
- Colossus
- Exodus
- Mister Sinister
- Mystique
- Cypher
- Krakoa (entity)
There are three basic laws that every citizen of Krakoa must follow.
- Make more mutants
- Murder no man
- Respect the sacred land of Krakoa.
Conclusion
Krakoa was and is a complicated aspect of the Marvel Comics Universe that is continuing to expand and be discovered. A lush and beautiful environment, it’s exciting to think about the possibilities for this island in the future. In an expanding society built entirely by mutants, the possibilities are endless.
