Grant Morrison’s run is barely dead and already Chuck Austen is ruining it.
While endlessly bickering and infighting, seven X-Men go to China where there has been a catastrophic earthquake and find Xorn. (Pro writer tip: Arguing over stupid things is not conflict. It’s just irritating.)
You’re probably thinking, “But the really interesting thing about Xorn was that he was fake—just a secret identity for Magneto! How can this be?”
Exactly.
This is the first appearance of Shen, a Chinese mutant who takes the identity of Xorn. And he has the power to open black holes, which was the power claimed by Magneto.
Except that it wasn’t Magneto.
The original Xorn was Kuan-Yin Xorn. He had the ability to look like Magnto, and was planted by John Sublime. He also was nice. Sublime made him act mean.
This new Xorn is his twin brother.
We don’t learn all of this in this story—just bits.
This is what happens when editors and fans fall in love with a character, and there’s money to be made. The genius of Xorn was that he was a total misdirect. Now, he’s retconned and much less interesting.
Also in this story: Collective Man. He was Shen Xorn’s jailer.
I like Collective Man. He’s basically Chinese Madrox-in-reverse, only he works for the government because, unlike the United States, China figured out that mutants are really cool and powerful and can be helpful to protect the State.
During their adventure in China, Jay Guthrie (Cannonball’s younger brother) enrolls in the school and Black Tom comes looking for Juggernaut. We only see glimpses and hints but, yeah, it’s him.