Dustin Gebel
Marvel revealed the line-up for the post-Fall of X titles during a panel at this year’s South by Southwest festival. Three titles, all launching this summer, and their creative teams headlined the announcement; Uncanny X-Men by writer Gail Simone and artist David Marquez, X-Men by writer Jed MacKay and artist Ryan Stegman, and Exceptional X-Men written by Eve L. Ewing with art by Carmen Carnero. These three series will then springboard into an additional set of titles like Phoenix, Storm, Wolverine, and more.
Jed MacKay explained how his run sets-up the future of the line during the panel, stating:
“It’s not just those three titles in this relaunch, there’s a lot!. [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.”
Also announced was a one-shot epilogue issue for the Krakoa era that Simone and MacKay will write with art by all of the contributors from the era. That and the Free Comic Book Day special from Simone and Marquez offer the first looks into the relaunch before this summer.
Gail Simone discussed her approach to the book at SXSW, stating:
“I think X-Fans are special in that we identify with having something different about us…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. David Marquez is the perfect artist for this book. He does amazing action, amazing character work, and he’s really excited about getting into the characters appearing in this book. I knew from the very first panel that this book was going to be super exciting and gorgeous. He just knows how to knock it out of the park!”
The X-Men will be scattered across the US as they pick up the pieces post-Fall of X, as the main teams base themselves in Alaska, Louisiana, and Chicago. The mansion is closed down and converted into a prison, and there is no mention of what fate befalls Krakoa. Hints to the new fate can be seen in the trailer for the new series, which can be seen below.
In the press release, new X-Men editor and Executive Tom Brevoort discussed the decentralized approach to the relaunch, stating:
“The X-Men are fractured in the aftermath of the end of Krakoa, scattered across the globe without a central base of operation. What that means in practice is that all three titles carrying the name X-MEN are core X-MEN series—they all center around one of the major aspects of what the team has been about at different points. This is very much by design. We want to field a wide assortment of X-titles with different styles and tones and approaches, an X-MEN book for virtually any taste.”
Alongside the announcement was a promotional image illustrated by Ryan Stegman with colors by Marte Gracia.
X-MEN #1
Written by JED MACKAY
Art and Cover by RYAN STEGMAN
KRAKOA IS NO MORE…BUT THE X-MEN FIGHT ON!
From their new base in Alaska, the X-Men raise a flag of defiance! 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.
On Sale 7/10
UNCANNY X-MEN #1
Written by GAIL SIMONE
Art and Cover by DAVID MARQUEZ
OUTLAW HEROES ONCE AGAIN, THE X-MEN EMBARK ON A NEW MISSION!
Making themselves at home in the Big Easy, the X-Men protect a world that hates and fears them! Join ROGUE, GAMBIT, NIGHTCRAWLER, JUBILEE and WOLVERINE on explosive super hero adventures. Uncanny as ever, the X-Men are back to saving the day mutant-style!
On Sale 8/7
EXCEPTIONAL X-MEN #1
Written by EVE L. EWING
Art and Cover by CARMEN CARNERO
MUTANTKIND’S TWO GREATEST TEACHERS MOLD THE NEXT GENERATION OF X-MEN!
KATE PRYDE has returned 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, BRONZE, AXO and MELEE, who clearly need training and guidance. Unfortunately for Kate, EMMA FROST thinks so as well!
On Sale 9/4