Maximum X-Men #2 Variant Cover by C.F. Villa

Maximum X-Men #1 Variant Cover by Chris Samnee

X-Men: Outback #5 Art

X-Men: Outback #5 Spoilers

Spoilers: Master Molto introduces Cliffhanger as the star of Murder Television, broadcasting her attacks on Earth alongside the Execution Producers. Her abilities allow her to recall every detail of the previous twenty-four hours, access older memories through mental archives, and glimpse events seconds before they happen. Meanwhile, Dazzler performs under a false identity at an Australian bar, accompanied by Longshot and Rogue. Frustrated by life in hiding, Alison loses her temper when patrons accuse her of being an inferior imitation of Dazzler. Outside, her argument with Longshot is interrupted by Psylocke, who telepathically alerts them to an attack from Mojoworld. Gateway arrives to transport them to Tristan da Cunha, where the other X-Men are already defending the isolated community against Cliffhanger’s squad.

Dazzler absorbs the surrounding sound and asks Psylocke to warn everyone before she unleashes a powerful burst of light. Betsy broadcasts a telepathic warning to the team and the residents, telling them to shield their eyes and take cover. Longshot then recognizes Cliffhanger, a former lover and fellow rebel he believed had died in a burning transport. She calls herself his former wife, although he explains that they only planned to marry if they survived their rebellion. Cliffhanger accuses him of abandoning her, while Longshot insists that others had to drag him from the flames and knock him unconscious to stop his rescue attempt. She claims that Mojo saved her and Molto gave her a new career, but Longshot suspects that her memories have been altered. Rejecting his pleas, she shoots him.

With Longshot wounded, Dazzler attacks Cliffhanger while Rogue tends to him. Psylocke points out that the X-Men cannot be filmed, and Storm confirms that their presence disrupts the enemy’s technology. Cliffhanger nevertheless remains a threat to their secret and proves difficult to defeat, using her recall and anticipation to counter their attacks. She wounds Rogue with a mojonium dart and taunts Dazzler about her career, her insecurities, and her feelings for Longshot. While Colossus and Wolverine protect the residents, Psylocke probes the Execution Producers and discovers that they possess little independent thought. Their minds are keyed to Cliffhanger, functioning almost as extensions of her own. Storm concludes that the connection must be severed, while Longshot warns Rogue that every moment of combat gives Cliffhanger more information to use against them.

Rogue finally intervenes by grabbing Cliffhanger and absorbing her powers, enduring a painful feedback mechanism designed to make the contact lethal. Through the connection, she discovers that Cliffhanger does not have amnesia: an implanted converter box is altering her morals. Despite the device’s resistance, Rogue tears it free, restoring Cliffhanger’s personality and causing the Execution Producers to collapse. Reunited with Longshot, Cliffhanger admits that she remembers everyone she has hurt and struggles with what she has become. Longshot reassures her that Molto forced her actions, but both acknowledge that they are no longer the people they once were. Searching her mental archives, she recalls information about Molto’s travel schedule and decides to confront him.

Cliffhanger thanks Rogue for risking her life and declines Longshot’s offer to accompany her, explaining that she must discover who she is on her own. She promises to protect the X-Men’s secret, blows a farewell kiss that leaves Longshot, Rogue, and Dazzler wondering whom she intended it for, and teleports away to pursue Molto. Back at their Outback home, the team relaxes together while Madelyne and Havok joke about Longshot’s complicated romantic history. Dazzler thanks Rogue for saving her, although neither is ready to abandon their rivalry. Watching them, Longshot reflects that the team has done more than endure its hidden existence: they have traveled across the world, saved lives, and acted on their own terms. To him, the X-Men have been living all along.

Maximum X-Men #2 Solicitation

MAXIMUM X-MEN #2

Written by CHRISTOPHER YOST

Art by TONY S. DANIEL

Cover A by TONY S. DANIEL

THE AVENGER SITUATION, PART 2 OF 5!

The Negative Zone has exploded out into Atlanta! An army of the Zone’s most powerful villains threaten the Earth! And after the cataclysmic events of Armageddon, the Avengers are no more! Who’s left to save the world? The X-Men. But what if Annihilus, Blastaar and the Night Lord aren’t the real threat here? Prepare for the arrival of RETRIBUTION. Also: A BRAND-NEW mutant picks the worst time in the world to make her stunning debut!

On Sale 1/13

Betsy Braddock 50th Anniversary Poll: Only Two Weeks Left to Vote!

There are only two weeks left to vote in our Betsy Braddock 50th Anniversary Poll! We've already received nearly 9,000 votes across all categories—thank you to everyone who has taken part in celebrating Betsy's first 50 years of adventures across the Marvel Universe!

We've also added Butterfly as an option in the Favorite Codename category. If that's your favorite name for Betsy, you can now select it directly! As always, the Other option is available whenever your personal favorite isn't already listed.

Voting closes on October 31, 2026, so don't miss your chance to help decide the fan favorites—from stories and costumes to creators, teams, relationships, powers, and more. The final results will be revealed here on the blog during the following week.

Cast your votes below and help us give Betsy an anniversary celebration to remember!

X-Men: Outback #5 Preview

X-Men: Outback #5
Writer: Steve Orlando
Art by: Stephen Segovia
Cover by: Russell Dauterman

The Story:
The world believes the X-Men are dead, but all Mojo knows is that he’s lost his meal ticket!
Desperate, Mojo debuts a new ratings smash… the Murder Video Channel!
Can the X-Men stop the murderous mayhem without revealing themselves?
And how can Longshot explain that Cliffhanger, Mojo’s Murder Video star… is his ex?!

In Stores: October 21, 2026

X-Men '97: Season Two #5 Art

X-Men '97: Season Two #5 Spoilers

Spoilers: As Clan Akkaba and the Acolytes battle, Jubilee and Sunspot approach Rusty and Skids, who admit that they joined Exodus because they had nowhere else to go after X-Factor rounded up the mutants at the vigil. Jubilee condemns the Acolytes for recruiting frightened children and blasts one of their enforcers when he confronts her. Psylocke and Archangel join the fight, with Betsy disabling another attacker with her psychic knife. Cable then stuns Rusty and Skids, refusing Jubilee’s request to take them along. He argues that they could be spies and offer little tactical advantage, reminding her that X-Force’s mission does not include rescuing every mutant they encounter. Despite her anger, Jubilee refuses to abandon the team.

Meanwhile, Ozymandias encourages Famine to stop Exodus from claiming Apocalypse’s rejuvenation chamber. Determined to preserve her promised future with Apocalypse, she attacks, but Exodus counters her touch with his own control over matter. As X-Force withdraws, Jubilee makes another attempt to help Rusty and Skids, only for the Acolytes to insist that they belong with Exodus. At the team’s aircraft, Ozymandias confronts Cable and reclaims his opal. Cable orders Archangel to attack, but Ozymandias uses the stone to overwhelm Warren with visions of his torments and temptations, causing him to lash out at his teammates. Psylocke reaches him telepathically, reminding him of his vow never to let Apocalypse control him again and urging him to take her hand instead. Betsy brings Warren back to himself, although Ozymandias escapes.

Cable then activates explosives that X-Force has planted on the rejuvenation chamber. Ozymandias, who privately dismisses Famine as a distraction incapable of defeating Exodus, is trying to have the chamber moved when his followers discover the unfamiliar wiring. The resulting explosion destroys it, ruining both factions’ plans. Exodus incinerates Famine when she confronts him over the loss, then departs with his Acolytes, declaring their attack a victory against Clan Akkaba. Ozymandias survives beneath the rubble and insists that Apocalypse will need him again. With the opal restored to his forehead, he vows to continue serving his master’s plans, however many centuries they might take.

Aboard X-Force’s aircraft, Cable confirms that the stolen prophecies have provided the information they need to locate War. While Sunspot unsuccessfully tries to comfort Warren, Jubilee approaches Psylocke with the question she has been afraid to ask: has Betsy seen the missing X-Men through the opal, and will they be all right? Betsy explains that the stone reveals both the past and possible futures, but sharing those visions could alter their outcome through the butterfly effect. Although she can offer no guarantees, she reassures Jubilee that the X-Men are fighters who will not easily surrender their love for one another or their hopes for the future. The two share a warmer moment, teasing each other about their intimidating ninja and mall-rat reputations.

Cable announces that they have approximately twenty-four hours to prepare an ambush before heading to Rio, where their search for War will continue. Back in the battered town, X-Factor arrives after receiving reports of the clash between Clan Akkaba, the Acolytes, and X-Force.

The story continues in X-Men ’97: Season 2, Episode 2, "A Force to Be Reckoned With".

Captain Britain 50th Anniversary Special #1 Art

Braddock Business

Another Day, An Otherworld