Happy New Year!

Hello everyone, this is the last post of 2008! This past year we have seen Psylocke stuck in New Exiles, which was a let down for most of her fans. She had her moments there, but this book didn't suit Betsy at all. As you all know the Exiles era is coming to an end after 2 years and one month. 2009 is shaping up to be a great year for Betsy and for us all. For instance, March sees the release of the first Psylocke solo one-shot 33 years after her creation! We have a lot to celebrate next year! I want to thank the guys at the CBR forums: CmX, metalgorgomon, psycwave, cgar, Tazirai, jarrod, Novaya Havoc, Hi-Fi and everybody else who posts there and support Psylocke (or not) lol. And of course I want to thank everybody who reads this blog too! I hope we all have an excellent year! You rock! xD

New Exiles Annual #1 Preview

Cover by: David Williams

Writer: Chris Claremont
Pencils: Tom Grummett
Inks: Vicente Cifuentes
Colored by: Wil Quintana
Lettered by: Tom Orzechowski

The Story:
Proteus was one of the Exiles’ most deadly foes. He lead a path of destruction across the multiverse before finally finding a body that could sustain him… the body of Exile, Morph. Brainwashed into believing himself to be the true Morph, Proteus has fought alongside the Exiles side for some time…but every so often, hints of his true self… slip through. Not too much… an angry look here, a brutal beating there. Now, finally, the moment fans have been dreading has truly come… Proteus has returned!

In Stores: January 2, 2009

Ultimate X-Men #99 Preview

Cover by: Mark Brooks

Writer: Aron E. Coleite
Pencils: Mark Brooks
Inks: Karl Story
Colored by: Studio F - Edgar Delgado
Lettered by: Comicraft

The Story:
It's a mutant massacre at Xavier's! In the wake of Ultimatum -- a band of humans have stolen Sentinel technology and attack Xavier's mansion -- killing any mutant they see. With the X-Men locked in battle with Magneto -- can anyone save these students? Their greatest hope might rest in the hands of their worst enemy as the Weapon X program returns!

In Stores: January 2, 2009

Merry Christmas!

Have yourself a merry little Christmas

Let your heart be light
From now on your troubles will be out of sight

Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Make the Yuletide gay
From now on your troubles will be miles away

Here we are as in olden days
Happy golden days of yore
Faithful friends who are dear to us
They gather near to us once more

Through the years we all will be together and if the fates allow
Hang a shining star upon the highest bow
And have yourself a merry little Christmas now

"Sword of The Braddocks" Cover Process

Artist Alex Garner has showed some of the process for the "Sword of The Braddocks" one-shot cover over Deviantart. Here are his comments about it and the final cover without any tags:

"Just thought I'd show some of the process for this cover. I begin with the traditionally done pencil sketch submitted to Marvel for approval, then I work on the values and lighting in grayscale, and finally I add color and texture. In this particular case, with just a single character close-up, it wasn't very painstaking. I adjust and tweak the structure as I paint. If you have the luxury of time, you can assess flaws much more objectively by setting the work aside and not looking at it for a few days."

New Exiles #16 Spoilers

Spoilers: Cat and Mystiq merge bodies to take on Madame Hydra. Meanwhile Lilandra proves herself to be a better fighter than Morph. Nerimani comes to rescue him and fight her sister. Not so far away Rogue surprises Samantha Summers from the Death Commandos and kill her. Rogue reveals to Colyn (a Son of Iron Saurion) that her hands absorb other's abilities and memories, bits of their souls, a portion of it stays with her forever. Colyn offers Rogue his armor to protect her and they flirt. Nerimani passes out, so Gambit takes on Lilandra. Cat leaves Mystiq's body and phases trough Madame Hydra removing her main artery and killing her.

Note: No Psylocke in this issue, so no scans.

X-Position: X-Editors

CBR brought together all the X-Editors for an X-Position and they haven't disappointed us! They picked my question about Psylocke's future! Not only do we find about an X-Editor being a big Betsy fan, there's also very interesting teasing! 2009 is shaping up to be a great Psylocke year!

Marvel has announced that Psylocke is returning to the main Marvel Universe at the Diamond Retailer Summit months ago and Joe Quesada confirmed it in his MyCup Of Joe column, but so far, we haven't heard anything about her return. In which book will she star? Any hints for future storylines for Betsy? We're dying without any news!

Nick Lowe: Come on, Giselle, you think we’re just going to cough up that announcement in an interview? Trust us, you’ll know when she’s coming. And it’s going to be hella big. Oh, wait, John wants to add something.

John Barber: Axel is a big Psylocke fan. He’s been wanting to get her into the book for a long time, and this storyline has been planned out for a while. It’s going to be great when it happens…

Chris Claremont on "Sword of The Braddocks" One-Shot

Chris Claremont talks about "Sword of The Braddocks" one-shot on sale in March 2009 over ComixFan. In his own words:

"I wouldn't be surprised to see a certain younger twin / sibling on-scene for the story. I also would keep my eyes peeled for some surprises along the way -- not simply in this story but also in the final issue of Exiles."

It seems that a Braddock family reunion is on its way!

March 2009 Solicits: Psylocke's Return!

X-Men: Sword of the Braddocks

Written by: Chris Claremont
Penciled by: Scott Clark
Cover by: Alex Garner
Before she can come home to the X-Men, Betsy Braddock has one final mission — settle the score once and for all with the man who’s been hunting her across the multiverse. If she hopes to survive, Psylocke’s going to have to use every weapon at her disposal -- and possibly cross a line no X-Man ever has before…

Note: It's here! Finally after all those months full of rumours and speculations Psylocke's return to the X-Men and Marvel Universe begins with this one-shot on sale in March! And the best thing about it is that it's 40 pages! According to the solicit, this is probably the last chapter of the Slaymaster saga and probably the last Claremont-written Psylocke story for a while. As for the coming months, let's keep and eye out for Uncanny X-Men. ;)

New Exiles #16 Preview

Cover by: Tim Seeley

Writer: Chris Claremont
Pencils: Tim Seeley & Vivenç Villagrasa
Inks: Tim Seeley
Colored by: Wil Quintana
Lettered by: Tom Orzechowski

The Story:
In a world where dinosaurs and humans fight side by side to ensure global security, an invading alien force threatens to destroy all that they have accomplished. But the aliens' objective is not to destroy this world—that is only a means to their true end; the assassination of their own rightful queen! Plus, as the New Exiles fight beside the Sons of Iron and Daughters of the Dragon to save their planet, a deadly force from the Exiles own past returns for a final showdown. Empress Hydra is back, and with her minions at her side only one thing is for certain: someone must die!

In Stores: December 17, 2008

Ask the X-Editors!

For the next X-Position, CBR is having the X-Editors! It's our chance to ask everything Psylocke. It's been months and we still haven't heard an *official* statement. Send your e-mails to george@comicbookresources.com and put “X-Position” in the subject line! Ask them about what the future holds for Betsy and what will she be facing once she arrives in San Francisco! Make sure to tell them we want her greatly involved in storylines and not being used as a sexy wallpaper again! Ugh. Let's make ourselves heard!

New Exiles #15 Spoilers & Art

Spoilers: The Shi'ar Death Commandos blows up the Daughters of the Dragon and Sons of Iron building and the Exiles try to save as many people as they can. After a while the Death Commandos members face the Exiles. Black Cloak tries to penetrate Psylocke's mind but her psychic shields given to her by Jamie Braddock block the attack. Lilandra arrives to the battle scene searching for her sister Nerimani and swears no one is going anywhere, except to their graves. That's when Madame Hydra (Sue Storm from previous arcs) enters. She has an agreement with Lilandra and wants to get revenge on Cat for killing her lover Wolverine.

New Exiles #16 Cover

Marvel.com has revealed the cover for New Exiles #16. The art is by Tim Seeley. In other news, New Exiles #15 is out tomorrow December 4 because of the Thanksgiving holiday.

New Exiles #15 Preview

Cover by: Alex Garner

Writer: Chris Claremont
Pencils: Tim Seeley
Inks: Tim Seeley
Colored by: Wil Quintana
Lettered by: Tom Orzechowski

The Story:
In a world where dinosaurs and humans fight side by side to ensure global security, an invading alien force threatens to destroy all that they have accomplished. But the aliens' objective is not to destroy this world—that is only a means to their true end; the assassination of their own rightful queen! Plus, as the New Exiles fight beside the Sons of Iron and Daughters of the Dragon to save their planet, a deadly force from the Exiles own past returns for a final showdown. Empress Hydra is back, and with her minions at her side only one thing is for certain: someone must die!

In Stores: December 3, 2008

Ultimate X-Men #98 Spoilers & Art

Spoilers: As the Ultimatum wave hits New York, the original X-men leave to seek out Magneto. Meanwhile Rogue is pissed because the X-Men don't trust her anymore and go to Canada to find the Vindicator - John Wraith. Rogue blames him for everything that has happened to her, but she accepts his help and gather the Weapon X team. Back at the mansion, Firestar, Syndicate and Psylocke are left when Stryker attacks the Institute and blows up one of Syndicate's head (Matthew).

Marvel: Your Universe Poster

This poster is on sale this week and features a little bit of Psylocke wearing her New Exiles outfit. Considering it's a Marvel Universe poster, this is good! Other X-Men depicted are Wolverine, Cylops, Emma Frost, Shadowcat & Colossus, not to mention Betsy's brother Captain Britain.

The Story: 36x24 Color Poster
In Stores: Nov 26, 2008

Ultimate X-Men #98 Preview

Cover by: Mark Brooks

Writer: Aron E. Coleite
Pencils: Mark Brooks
Inks: Jaime Mendoza
Colored by: Studio F - Edgar Delgado
Lettered by: Comicraft

The Story:
Ultimatum tie-in! The unthinkable has happened as the X-Men find themselves reeling from the devastating events of Ultimatum. As Xavier’s pupils prepare to retaliate, one X-Man is conspicuously left off the roster. As her time as part of Weapon X is counted against her, how can Rogue prove her loyalty? How far will she go? And just what is her mysterious connection to Vindicator of Alpha Flight?! His identity finally revealed!

In Stores: November 26, 2008