TheX-Menfranchise continues to inch closer to its own version ofMarvel’slegendary Civil War,as a new mutant registration legislation divides two current X-Men teams, led by Cyclops and Rogue, and threatens the safety the mutant community at large, while they struggle to reintegrate into human society following the destruction of theirisland sanctuary of Krakoa.
X-Factor#5–written by Mark Russell, with art by Bob Quinn – marks a new chapter of mutantkind’s eternal struggle to find freedom. In response to a mutant-led terrorist group’s threats against America, the United States government has already enlisted the aid of X-Factor. However, the extremist group, called X-Term, is gaining traction among America’s mutant population.
As groups like the Mutant Underground gain greater traction, the government is pushing a new agenda that would divide mutantkindjust as the Super-human Registration Act once divided Marvel’s mightiest heroes and villains. Soon, mutantkind couldface their own Civil War.
Marvel’s New “Mutant Surveillance Act” Threatens To Divide The X-Men After Their Most United Era
X-Factor #5–Written By Mark Russell; Art By Bob Quinn; Color By Jesus Aburtov; Lettering By VC’s Joe Caramagna; Cover Art by Greg Land & Frank D’Armata
The freshly revealed “Mutant Surveillance Act” is supposedly meant to “encourage the cooperation of good mutants,” to better distinguish from the “bad.” Realistically, this means the same thing that every otherMarvel Registration Actproved to be: a means of control. On the surface, these acts are advertised as legal pathways to distinguish law-abiding citizens from the lawless. Yet with registration comes danger. It’s an unavoidable truth that mutants are hated across the country, they always have and always will be;forcing an individual to out their mutant status in a public capacity only serves to threaten their life.
While the original X-Factor acted like agents of the government and public supporters of the MRA, in secret they were a liberationist group created to save wrongfully-imprisoned mutants;now, the newest version of X-Factor may face a similar choice.
Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time mutants have faced a similar authoritative sweep in anti-mutant legislation. InUncanny X-Men#181 (1984)–written by Chris Claremont, with art by John Romita Jr. – readers were introduced to the original Mutant Registration Act. In response to the MRA, Jean Grey and Cyclops created thefirst iteration of X-Factor. Whilethe original X-Factoracted like agents of the government and public supporters of the MRA, in secret they were a liberationist group created to save wrongfully-imprisoned mutants;now, the newest version of X-Factor may face a similar choice.
Mutantkind Already Survived One Registration Act, But This New One Could Tear Them Apart
A Mutant Civil War Seems Almost Inevitable
While the original Mutant Registration Act fizzled out before it could have any large impacts, not every timeline was spared the same fate. In theDays of Future Pasttimeline, the MRA was directly responsible for a global Sentinel takeover.If the newly proposed MSA is passed, Earth-616 could face a similarly eerie future. However, that is if an all-out mutant civil war doesn’t happen first. Fortunately, X-Factor’s current leader, Havoc, doesn’t look to agree with the MSA. Ultimately,the future is looking scarily uncertainMarvel’smutants and the few members of theX-Menwho remainto protect them.
X-Men Reveals a Major Death and Epic Redesign Are Coming For the Marvel Team
In Gail Simone’s Uncanny X-Men, Rogue has been given a glimpse of the future, and what she witnesses suggests major changes coming.
X-Factor#5will beavailable Jul 31, 2025 from Marvel Comics.
X-Men
The X-Men franchise, created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, centers on mutants with extraordinary abilities. Led by the powerful telepath Professor Charles Xavier, they battle discrimination and villainous mutants threatening humanity. The series explores themes of diversity and acceptance through a blend of action, drama, and complex characters, spanning comics, animated series, and blockbuster films.
