Summary
A generation ofX-Menfans know Emma Frost by no other name, but as the team heads into a new era, her original code name is returning. Although she started as a villain, Emma Frost has over the years become more of an anti-hero, and along the way, quit calling herself “the White Queen.” Now, in a first look atExceptional X-Men#2, this name is making a return.
Marvel has shared their October solicitations, includingExceptional X-Men#2. The book will be written by Eve L. Ewing and drawn by Carmen Carnero. The solicitation for the book reads as follows:
The White Queen makes her move! Kate Pryde’s continued attempts at living a normal, non-mutant life go laughably wrong as she finds herself in the middle of a brawl started by a couple of headstrong teens with remarkable abilities—which, of course, they’re terrible at controlling. She’s sworn off being anybody’s teacher, mentor, professor, sensei or anything that reminds her of her old life. But will the White Queen force her hand?
Marvel did not give any additional information on what leads Emma to take the mantle of “White Queen” back up, nor why she is tormenting Kitty Pryde.
Emma Frost’s Journey to Heroism Was a Long One
Emma Frost Would Become a Pillar of the X-Men During Grant Morrison’s Tenure
Emma Frost debuted in the early years of Chris Claremont’s ground-breaking run onUncanny X-Men. One of the most powerful psychics on Earth, Emma Frost, can also transform herself into a hard, diamond-like state. Frost wasonce associated with the Hellfire Club,a secretive cabal of mutants who met to manipulate world affairs. As a member of the Club, Frost had the title of “the White Queen.” Emma’s style of dress reflects this name, as does her attitude. While Marvel did not specify why Emma is after Kitty Pryde, the two have a history, stretching back to Emma’s first appearance.
Emma Frost first appeared inUncanny X-Men#129.
For years,Emma Frost was considered a villain, but this began to change in the early 2000s, thanks in part to Grant Morrison’sNew X-Men. Morrison and their collaborators mined the depths of Frost’s psyche, untangling her various layers and transforming her into something of an anti-hero. Joining the X-Men, Frost gave a shot in the arm to the team’s dynamics, and even dated Cyclops in the wake of Jean Grey’s “death.” Frost has been associated with the X-Men in some capacity since, and seemed to have given up the “White Queen” moniker.
Has Emma Frost Returned to Her Villianous Ways?
Returning to Villainy Would Be an Enormous Step Backwards for Emma Frost
Yet with Krakoa destroyed, and a large-scale mutant diaspora now happening, Emma has seemingly returned to using her old code name, raising obvious questions about why she did it. Emma abandoning the ‘White Queen” name demonstrated a move towards heroism and a greater degree of selflessness. Emma put herself in harm’s way to protect theX-Menand Earth’s mutants during theFall of X. Yet now, with Krakoa gone and the dream of a mutant homeland dead, it is possible that Emma Frost has not only returned to her old code name, but her old ways as well.
