"Manifest Destiny" is an American comic book storyline published by Marvel Comics through the X-Men related titles and a number of limited series, including a self-titled one. The arc was a follow-up to the storyline entitled "Divided We Stand" which started in the issues cover dated September 2008.
"Manifest Destiny" deals with the change in the X-Men when they shift their headquarters from WestchestertoSan Francisco. This is the first time the X-Men have changed their headquarters since their brief relocation to Australia during the 1980s. This will be followed by "X-Infernus", the sequel to "Inferno".
The X-Men: Manifest Destiny mini-series itself, is an anthology. The lead story is focused on Iceman and his journey to San Francisco. It is written by Mike Carey,[1] with pencils by Michael Ryan. There are two back-up stories in every issue, focusing on different characters (Karma, Boom-Boom, Nuwa, Juggernaut, Colossus, Nightcrawler, Mercury and many others) and their lives in San Francisco.
The X-Men open their new base in San Francisco and send a telepathic invitation to every remaining mutant on Earth. Their first fights were against Magneto, Sentinels and the newly formed Hellfire Cult. This is also the introduction to the Sisterhood of Evil Mutants and Madelyne Pryor is seen alive.
The Astonishing X-Men shows up with a new line-up (Cyclops, Emma Frost, Beast, Storm, Armor, Wolverine). Their first mission was to investigate the murder of an undiscovered mutant.
Cyclops secretly meets with Xavier as one last favor to his former teacher and friend. Elsewhere, the Hellfire Club is discussing Sunspot leaving their ranks and the void that leaves. As Sebastian Shaw tries to create some order, Castlemere and his newfound cybernetic "upgrades" lay waste to another member of the Hellfire Club.
Rogue makes her way to the X-Men's former base in Australia and ends up having a heart to heart talk with Mystique, whose persona is still in her head after the events in "Messiah Complex".
Cyclops takes Sunspot and Danielle as mentors of the Young X-Men. After establishing an abandoned cathedral in San Francisco as their new base, the Young X-Men (along with mentors Danielle Moonstar and Sunspot) form their team which includes Ink, Anole, Rockslide, and Dust, but without Blindfold.
Iceman lands at a hospital after taking a flight with Opal Tanaka, who reveals herself to be Mystique. Disguised as a doctor, Mystique injects Iceman with a neural inhibitor but he manages to escape and flee on a truck. Mystique finds him yet again and destroys the truck, much to the truck driver's dismay. Iceman saves him and asks him to contact the X-Men, while he faces off with Mystique and tells her to shoot him while looking him in the eyes.
Other short stories include:
Boom-Boom being defeated by Nuwa but taking her revenge by using coffee.
Karma failing to possess Emma Frost and realizing she needs to get her focus back.
The Juggernaut hesitating between a life of crime or as a hero.
Emma Frost coming to terms with the fact that the X-Men have accepted her.
Anole and Graymalkin bonding over their sexuality while Beast explores Greymalkin's history.
Wolverine and Nightcrawler failing to cheer up Colossus, whose mood lightens when he helps a girl save her kitty.
X-23 helping Mercury realize she is more than just quicksilver and no one can tell her she is not a person after she defeats some Hellfire Cult members.
Nightcrawler being depressed over his lack of use as an X-Men and confiding it in a Danger Room created Kitty hologram.
The last three issues of the short Eternals (vol. 4) run[2] sees the relocation of the X-Men to San Francisco collide with Ikaris, his war with Druig, and the sentinel in Golden Gate Park. The final issue sees the X-Men assist with repelling the Horde which has been foreshadowed as coming since the last issue of Eternals (vol. 3) by Neil Gaiman.[3]
