The following contains spoilers for X-Men Red #12, now on sale from Marvel Comics.
The X-Men have been handling all sorts of threats in the build-up to Fall of X. As their technological enemies in Orchis utilize both mundane and supernatural means of confronting the mutant nation, the X-Men and their allies have had to try and counter this any way they can. However, a new mystical complication could become a corrupting force that compromises the entire Marvel Universe.
X-Men Red #12 (by Al Ewing, Jacopo Camagni, Federico Blee, and VC's Ariana Maher) reintroduces the entity known as Annihilation, which was last seen in X of Swords. Making matters worse, its corrupting influence has only grown, turning potential allies into world-threatening enemies. It's also become Marvel's version of the One Ring from The Lord of the Rings, and it could corrupt the entire Marvel Universe.
X-Men Brings Annihilation Back To The Marvel Universe
Introduced during the build-up to X of Swords, Annilhation is the mysterious elder god from the hellish realm Amenth. In the ancient lost history of mutants, Annihilation's efforts to spread their demonic army to other realms was a key factor in the splitting of Krakoa and Arakko. Even when it was seemingly defeated by Genesis, the need to control the elder god's hordes resulted in Genesis embracing the Annihilation mask, thereby spreading its doctrine and control. The entity was seemingly defeated at the end of X of Swords thanks to Apocalypse, with Saturynne further diluting the power of the corrupting mask into a more manageable staff. Unseen since the end of that event, the return of Genesis in X-Men Red reveals that just altering the form of Annihilation did not break its hold.
Turning the mask into a staff may have removed the direct control of Annihilation over others, but the weapon itself is now a far more dangerous and corrupting tool. Although Genesis normally remains in control in Amenth, White Sword tells Jon Ironfire that its influence is capable of breaking anyone, making it more dangerous than ever. Genesis now adds her own skills and ambitions to Annilhation's plans, and the elder god's influence is enough to make even the strong-willed White Sword bend the knee in service to her. This turn of events effectively gives Genesis the Marvel equivalent of the One Ring featured in Lord of the Rings.
Annihilation Gives Marvel Their Own Version Of The One Ring
Created by Sauron as a means of wielding his massive magical might and bending the world of Middle-Earth to his will, the quest to destroy the One Ring serves as a major aspect of J.R.R. Tolkien's legendary epic, The Lord of the Rings. Like the Staff of Annihilation, it is a golden and seemingly benign artifact that possesses a deep connection to a powerful dark lord. One of the most insidious aspects of the One Ring was its way of corrupting others, forcing people to covet it, kill for it, and ultimately serve it. Both artifacts are centered on subverting the will of powerful figures, all under the control of a single unseen evil force. As Sauron with the One Ring commanded an army of orcs and monsters, the Staff of Annihilation allows Genesis to retain control of the hordes of Amenth. Annihilation even seems to operate like Sauron in The Lord of the Rings, a powerful and corrupting force with no clear physical form.
This development continues to lean into the X-Men's connection with the mystical elements of the Marvel Universe. It also raises the stakes of Genesis' plan to conquer Arakko (and by extension the rest of the universe), as the influence of the Annihilation Staff could allow her to corrupt others to her service as well. It could even invite challengers to her control of the powerful weapon, with villains like Doctor Doom seeking to control the power, unaware of the true danger it poses. This introduces a new and exciting element to the Marvel Universe that could effectively become the superhero equivalent of one of fantasy fiction's most iconic artifacts.