X-Men Monday #286 – Alyssa Wong Talks ‘Psylocke’

AIPT: X-Fan Johann said, in Psylocke #4, Kwannon is haunted by an image of Betsy Braddock as the true and original Psylocke. Something similar happened in Hellions. Do you think Kwannon still feels insecure about the Psylocke mantle or Betsy in general? 

Alyssa: I think this one’s complicated. I think you’re always going to have messy, hard-to-define feelings about someone whose life and being are so intertwined with your own, no matter what the circumstances are. And their circumstances are complicated. So, I don’t know about insecurity, but I would say it’s messier than that. And we might be seeing a little more of that in upcoming issues. I can’t tell you any more or Darren’s going to pop out of the closet.

AIPT: X-Fan Charrisa loved the reference to Revanche in Psylocke #4. Charrisa feels like many folks who became Kwannon fans during the Krakoan era aren’t very familiar with the Revanche saga. We don’t know much about what Kwannon did for Nyorin after she entered Betsy’s body and before she encountered the X-Men. Any plans or interest in revisiting that period?

Alyssa: That’s spoiler territory. All I can say is I love Revanche. I think she’s great. I love that weird moment where she shows up the very first time and it’s like the Spider-Man pointing meme. I love a complicated identity swap story. I just feel like turnabout’s fair play. If Betsy’s in Kwannon’s body, I love seeing Kwannon in Betsy’s body. That’s kind of just how I feel about all of this. It’s so messy, but in a way that I love. I love mess, like Marie Kondo.

Psylocke #5 preview featuring Betsy's costumes on displays and personal pictures with Brian, Revanche and Spiral.

Tom Brevoorts Comments on X-Force and Betsy Braddock

Why did you cancel X-Force? When will I see Betsy Braddock next?

Tom Brevoort over Substack: Got a bunch of comments along these lines this week, and I have to say that they make me chuckle just a little bit. I mean really, how do you think we feel? We didn’t want to cancel it—we put a lot of work into these books—we’re not ending them just to mess with you or to deprive you of the entertainment you so clearly seek! No, the only reason that we ever pull the plug on a series is that it isn’t being purchased in great enough numbers to be profitable in the way we need it to be. That isn’t the audience’s fault, but neither is it the creators’ fault nor the editors’ fault. You can do everything right and still not pull in enough of an audience—it’s a tough marketplace out there. Not everything is going to work, and especially work ad infinitum. But that doens’t mean that any of these books are a waste of time or effort. it simply means that, for whatever reason, this wasn’t the right moment for whatever the thing was. So you dust yourself off and try something else. As for Betsy, we’ll just have to see where she might turn up again in the future.

So you know the drill—keep sending emails to the X-Office at officex@marvel.com to request Betsy Braddock and show your support. If you’re not sure what to write, simply copy and paste the banner below and hope for the best!

E-mail the X-Office: Rally for Betsy Braddock and Show Your Support!

As we all know by now, Marvel’s X-Force, written by Geoffrey Thorne, will be concluding with issue #10 this coming April. While it’s always tough to say goodbye to a series, this cancellation presents an important opportunity for fans of Betsy Braddock, aka Captain Britain, to make their voices heard.

So, how can we show our support?

1. Email the X-Office:

It’s simple! Let Marvel know that we want more of Betsy Braddock. Please take a moment to send a polite and kind email to the X-Office at:

📧 officex@marvel.com

In your message, share your appreciation for Betsy’s character, express your desire to see her more in future comics, and ask about her role in upcoming storylines. The more personal and sincere, the better!

2. Join the Conversation on Tom Brevoort's Substack:

Tom Brevoort is the Senior Editor of the X-Office, and he’s an excellent resource for getting feedback to Marvel’s higher-ups. You can use the comments section on his Substack to express your support for Betsy and inquire about her future. You can find his Substack here:

🔗 Tom Brevoort's Substack

What to Avoid: Please be sure to keep your messages positive, respectful, and focused solely on Betsy. We want Marvel to know that Betsy’s fans are excited and passionate about her future. Here’s what to avoid:

• Don’t bring up other characters. This is not about comparing Betsy to others, but simply showing how much we love her and want to see more of her story.
• Avoid insulting or criticizing creators, past or present. This is about showing support for Betsy and keeping the tone constructive.
• Don't be aggressive or passive-aggressive. Remember, we’re sending a message of love for the character, so let’s keep the tone friendly and respectful.

Let’s unite and make our voices heard!

X-Force Ends with Issue #10

Marvel's X-Force, written by Geoffrey Thorne, will conclude with issue #10 in April 2025. Thorne confirmed the cancellation on the CBR forum, stating, "Yeah. Sadly... We're done at #10. Not sure why." 

The title was absent from Marvel’s May solicitations, fueling speculation, especially with NYX also missing. The series, launched in July 2024, featured a new take on the team with Forge leading Captain Britain, Askani, Sage, Tank, and Surge. Marvel has yet to comment on the decision.

X-Force #8 Art

X-Force #8 Spoilers

Spoilers: As the X-Force’s X-Jet soars over South America, it is suddenly intercepted by Colossus, seemingly under La Diabla’s control. Colossus attempts to tear the jet apart, but Tank intervenes, throwing him off. The X-Jet explodes, forcing Forge, Betsy, and Rachel to evacuate. Forge calls upon a Cheyenne spell and dons his exoskeleton.

Meanwhile, Tank and Colossus crash to the ground and engage in a brutal brawl. Colossus taunts Tank, who retorts that Colossus is not Piotr Rasputin. The fight is cut short when La Diabla intervenes, teleporting Colossus away. Betsy and Rachel regroup with Tank, and Betsy draws a protective magic circle around them with her blade, shielding them from La Diabla’s alchemy.

La Diabla manifests before them, this time revealing her face, sneering as she mockingly praises Betsy’s Elle and Vogue fashion spreads. She conjures spectral versions of the Fantastic Four, who, being non-corporeal, bypass Betsy’s protective barrier and attack X-Force. Rachel unleashes her power against them, buying time. However, La Diabla’s alchemy multiplies her spectral Fantastic Four, overwhelming the team.

As the battle intensifies, La Diabla unveils her secret weapon—Dr. Howard Avery, whom she had previously abducted. Just as the situation turns dire, Forge arrives in his exoskeleton, rescuing the team. Betsy manifests a massive psychic shield, crushing La Diabla’s spectral creations in one decisive strike.

In retaliation, La Diabla forces Dr. Avery to transform into a monstrous, fur-covered behemoth—the Brute That Walks. X-Force bands together to take on the creature.

Meanwhile, in Dallas, Saga is stationed at Forge’s Aerie, attempting to track the downed X-Jet. As she multitasks through various analyses, she is contacted telepathically by Professor Xavier, who calls her by her true name: Teresia Karisik. Xavier requests her aid.

X-Force #8 Preview

X-Force #8

Writer: Geoffrey Thorne

Art by: Marcus To

Cover by: Stephen Segovia

The Story: COLOSSAL REPERCUSSIONS! Can X-FORCE survive a fight with…COLOSSUS?! The mysterious LA DIABLA has X-FORCE on the ropes, and she’s brought some unexpected allies! PLUS — what does FORGE’s ANALOG device have to do with the FRACTURES threatening the planet… and La Diabla’s designs?! The season’s most surprising X-book packs a few more turns…

In Stores: February 19, 2025

               

Psylocke #4 Spoilers & Art

Spoilers: The villain Ty Haniver, aka The Taxonomist, forces Kwannon to inhale a hallucinogenic dust, triggering visions that torment her. Among them is a haunting illusion of Betsy, clad in her former Hand ninja attire, taunting Kwannon about stealing the Psylocke name and insisting that she will never truly be her.

X-Force #7 Secures Second Consecutive Month in Sales Rankings

The January 2025 comic book sales rankings, based on data from over 125 stores using the ComicHub system, show X-Force #7 dropping to 96th place after ranking 87th in December 2024. This decline is due to its early January release, which resulted in only four days of tracked sales for the December ranking, with the majority of its sales shifting to January. The rankings cover a five-week period from January 5 to February 1, 2025, and reflect consumer sales across a variety of global store locations. While the drop may seem significant, it is primarily a result of the release schedule rather than a change in sales performance.