Marvel Comics will end the X-Men's Krakoan Age later this year, but that's not going to be the end for these iconic characters. It's been announced today that the team's new era will be centred around three flagship titles.
Those are Jed Mackay and Ryan Stegman's X-Men, Gail Simone and David Marquez's Uncanny X-Men, and Eve L. Ewing and Carmen Carnero's Exceptional X-Men. Each will offer different explorations of the mutant mythos as they take Marvel’s Merry Mutants into bold and untrodden territory.
In X-Men, from their new base in Alaska, the team raise a flag of defiance. We'll Join Cyclops, Beast, Magneto, Psylocke, Kid Omega, Temper (formerly Oya), Magik, and Juggernaut as they assemble against new forces, battling for the destiny and philosophy of the mutant species. Mutant business is their business.
"It’s not just those three titles in this relaunch, there’s a lot!" MacKay teased. "[My X-Men title] is where we'll see the first inklings of what the X-Men will look like in 2024. I’m very excited for you guys to see it when it comes out."
"If you look at that line-up, they’re a group of people who are not well suited to integrating into the world. And in these books, we’ll see what that means and what it looks like going forward."
Meanwhile, in Uncanny X-Men, this team will make themselves a home in the Big Easy, protecting a world that hates and fears them. Readers will join Rogue, Gambit, Nightcrawler, Jubilee, and Wolverine with the X-Men back to saving the day, mutant-style.
"I think X-Fans are special in that we identify with having something different about us," Simon teases, "and you're going to feel that in this book, and what it means to have that thing about you that's different, or exceptional. We go deep into the emotional part of that."
As for Exceptional X-Men, Kate Pryde returns home to Chicago following the war with Orchis. Having stepped away from the world of mutantdom, she is nevertheless called back into action as she crosses paths with a trio of new young mutants, Bornze, Axo, and Melee, who clearly need training and guidance. Unfortunately for Kate, Emma Frost thinks so as well!
"Long-time fans of Kitty Pryde can count on the kinds of adventures you expect from her as a classic favorite, while I hope new and old readers alike will get to love this all-new team of young mutants," Ewing shared. "Kitty, the one-time kid sister figure of the X-Men, has to reckon with her own memories - good and bad - of being a child of Xavier as she navigates a role as leader and mentor for a new generation of mutants who are trying to make their way in a time of crisis."
There's clearly something for everyone here, though a few big names are missing. That's Magneto lurking in the background of X-Men, but there's no sign of Professor X, Jean Grey, or some of the other heavy hitters who have defined the Krakoan Age. However, other upcoming titles include Phoenix, X-Factor, Storm, NYX, X-Force, and Wolverine, leaving plenty of room for those characters.
This initial lineup is impressive, though, and we're sure you'll notice that Uncanny X-Men bears some resemblance to the heroes seen in X-Men '97!
Check out a teaser image and trailer for the X-Men relaunch below.
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X-MEN #1
Written by JED MACKAY
Art and Cover by RYAN STEGMAN
On Sale 7/10
UNCANNY X-MEN #1
Written by GAIL SIMONE
Art and Cover by DAVID MARQUEZ
On Sale 8/7
EXCEPTIONAL X-MEN #1
Written by EVE L. EWING
Art and Cover by CARMEN CARNERO
On Sale 9/4