Psylocke in Wolverine and The X-Men Tomorrow

Tomorrow in Canada, be sure to check Wolverine and The X-Men. The episode "Time Bomb" featuring Psylocke is going to air! In Canada, the series started airing on YTV on Saturday, September 6, 2008 in the 7 pm time slot.

Synopsis: Episode 8 "Time Bomb" - Professor Xavier warns the X-Men about an impeding event that wipes half the mutant population: Nitro will self-detonate in Genosha. The Brotherhood rescue Nitro from a government prison against his will and use Psylocke to control him, planning to use him as a weapon. The X-Men chase the Brotherhood in order to prevent Genosha's destruction.

In this storyline, Psylocke is an Asian telepath and displays a butterfly-shaped energy aura when using her powers. It's hinted that Quicksilver previously had rescued her from an anti-mutant prison and now wants her to return the favor. Pietro wants Psylocke to block Nitro's powers. The X-Men arrive to stop them and later Psylocke is defeated by Emma Frost. Although Psylocke works with the Brotherhood, earlier in the episode she helps a woman who was about to be ticketed by an officer, forcing the l atter to eat the ticket.

Archrivals: The X-Men vs The Shadow King

As Storm prepares to take on one of the X-Men’s most feared foes, Marvel.com examines his dark history with the Children of the Atom. Check out Psi-War's entry here! If you'd like to read about other battles against the Shadow King, just click on the link. :D

X-Men #78 (1998)
Returned and more powerful than ever before, the Shadow King extended his dire influence to the entirety of mankind. A transformed Psylocke entered the psionic plane with newfound abilities to free her fellow X-Men but as a result came into direct confrontation with the dimensions evil monarch. The Shadow King attempted to corrupt every mind on Earth but in doing so stretched himself too thin, allowing Psylocke to entrap him. Unfortunately, the heroine then found that to imprison the King meant never using her powers ever again.

Tim Seeley on New Exiles #18 Cover

Tim Seeley, New Exiles' new artist, has talked about his New Exiles #18 cover.

"Hey Kids! Okay, just so you know, I didn't place the characters on the Exiles 18 cover in any order denoting the possibility of imminent death. Honestly some characters got closer placement just cuz I always wanted to draw them! I'm looking at you, Spidey 2099!"




Well, I guess he likes Psylocke! Considering what he's said, It's too soon to especulate anything. We'll just have to wait for the February solicits. Given that New Exiles #17 is out January 21, I guess it's safe to say that New Exiles #18 will be out by February. Though Newsarama has NEX #18 among Marvel's January 2009 solicits too. I wonder what's going on. ;P



Tim Seeley is the artist for New Exiles #14-17, and probably for #18 as well. Here are some of his Psylocke sketches.

New Exiles #18 Cover

ComicBox.com has revealed the New Exiles #18 cover among Marvel's January 2009 solicitations. No word if #18 will be released in January or if it's been pushed back to February. Going by the cover, maybe it's the issue where Betsy says goodbye to her fellow Exiles. Who knows?

Claremont's Abandoned Plots

Claremont revealed his original plans concerning the last scene of New Exiles #12.

"That said, the scene with Cat was originally a set-up for the surprise opening of #13, which would have revealed that Cat had just been murdered, which was meant to be the main ongoing subplot, to culminated in #'s 24/25."

Guess who was supposed to be Cat's murderer? That's right! Betsy Braddock, probably possessed by Lady Mandarin.

"Actually, the killer was slated to be Betsy. Ah, well."

New Exiles #13 Art

New Exiles #13 Spoilers

Spoilers: Betsy is still struggling with Lady Mandarin's psyche from the Napoleon arc. Lady Mandarin wants to live in Betsy's body, but Betsy defeats her once and for all and is finally free. Psylocke feels ready to face Slaymaster and states she won't run away from him anymore. Next, the Exiles plan to chase Sue Storm and her evil gang. Thoughts?

The Psylocke Poll - Where do you want to see Psylocke?

Our first Psylocke Poll! And it is the question everybody is asking since rumour has it that our beloved TK Ninja will return to the main Marvel Universe! Where should her big return be? In Uncanny X-Men (most likely) with Cylops, Emma Frost, Pixie and Bondage and S&M? In Astonishing X-Men with Cyclops, Emma Frost and some other people? In X-Men: Legacy with Xavier, Rogue and the great Miss Sinister? In X-Force with all the killers and her once lover Archangel? In Captain Britain and MI:13 with her twin brother Brian? In Cable with, well, Cable and baby Jean Grey? In Young X-Men with... the students!? Or should she stay with the Exiles? Vote on the side bar and see the results in a week from now!

Burtsy!

Should Psylocke hook up with the ever lovely Nightcrawler? Folks at the CBR Forums do think so! (Psycwave and Jarrod I'm looking at you!) Betsy and Kurt have been friends since forever and they even flirt sometimes... What do you think?

New Exiles Solicits

Betsy's upcoming appearances include:

New Exiles #13
The Story: Another double-dose of dimensional deeds dives your way this month! First, in issue 12, Sabretooth and Cat finish their face-off against Madame Hydra and her evil band of crosstime killers. Then, as a new arc begins in issue 13, the Exiles deal with the fallout of their last two missions…oh, and that pesky impending End of All that Is, the death and destruction of the OmniVerse! It’s a double-barreled confrontation that not all of them may survive.
In Stores: Oct 22, 2008

New Exiles #14
The Story: The Exiles find themselves on an Earth with no super-powers, but where humanity vies with an intelligent sauropod race for dominance. The Daughters of the Dragon serve as the champions of humankind, while the mysterious Sons of Iron refuse to reveal which side they are on. But neither group is ready for the coming of Liliandra and her Shi’Ar Death Commandos… not without our reality-hopping heroes!
In Stores: Nov 12, 2008

New Exiles #15 and #16
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: Dec 3, 2008 and Dec 17, 2008

New Exiles Annual #1
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: Dec 31, 2008

New Exiles #17
The Story: The heart wants what the heart wants and the sadistic Slaymaster wants Psylocke’s heart… literally! The Elizabeth Braddock of Earth-616 has slipped through his nefarious fingers one too many times, but he’s finally cornered her on a world targeted by Empress Hydra for extermination! As the dimensions buckle and the end-of-all looms nigh, it’s a showdown for the record books—and only one will walk away! An issue so shocking we had to call it “Who Dies Next?”!
In Stores: Jan 21, 2009

Mike Carey on Psylocke

Mike Carey, X-Men: Legacy writer, talks about the possibility of writing Psylocke once she returns to the 616 Universe:

So this particular question is in regards to PSYLOCKE. You have obviously shown interst in using her. She is coming back to 616 soon. Even though you cannot say anything. Are we maybe going to be pleasently surprised by getting your interpretation of her?

No fixed plans as yet, - I'm plotted up to #224, which is the end of the Rogue arc - but the new direction would certainly allow it. I always enjoy writing the iconic X-women, and I'd really like to have a try at voicing Psylocke at some point...

X-Position: Nick Lowe

Marvel Editor Nick Lowe in his X-Position at CBR talks about another lady joining the X-Men. Could his surpise lady be Psylocke? Keep in mind that there are rumours about Betsy returning in Uncanny early next year!

Is there any chance that the X-teams will be getting an estrogen injection? I've always felt that the books were at their best when the teams were evenly split between men and women, but it seems like a lot of the best female characters (Kitty, Rachel, Lorna, Betsy) have been pushed aside. I think any of these characters could enhance the X-books, so why not use them?

Hold on, hold on, hold on. Rachel and Lorna are still around. Just because they’re out in Shi’Ar space doesn’t mean that they aren’t important. As for the X-Men in San Francisco, we totally agree with you. Don’t be surprised if you see more of Dazzler, Domino, and another surprise lady.

Uncanny X-Men

Psylocke is set to show up in Uncanny X-Men's next arc, beginning with issue #504. No, she's not back yet. This story supposedly takes place in Scott's mental hotel of women he's been attracted to in the past. That's why we have British and Asian Betsys on the Uncanny X-Men #505 cover too!

Uncanny X-Men #504

The Story: LOVELORN (1 of 4): In the depths of his heartache over Kitty Pryde, Colossus goes looking for something-- anything-- to stop his pain...and finds a nightmare from the Old Country running rampant in the States. What's their connection? Elsewhere, Angel and the Beast begin a worldwide quest gathering some of the most unique minds on Earth and run across a hero long thought dormant. Emma checks in to a hotel you have to see to believe while poor Scott sits idly by...oh, and then footage showing the Alaskan Massacre that kicked off MESSIAH COMPLEX is released to the media. Just another day in the life of the all new, all different X-MEN!
In Stores: Nov 19, 2008

Uncanny X-Men #505
The Story: Colossus continues his quest to ease the pain of losing Kitty Pryde-- and it brings him face-to-face with some evil from the Old Country, run amok on the streets of San Francisco. Elsewhere, the shockwaves caused by Simon Trask's press conference continue to ripple, making anti-mutant hysteria hit a fever pitch. And as Angel and Beast continue to assemble the Fringe Science Team in the far north of Canada, Storm demands an audience with Emma Frost, queen to queen...
In Stores: Dec 17, 2008

Marvel Chronicle

Betsy makes the cover of Marvel Chronicle - A Year by Rear History! She's right there between Spiderman and Hulk! The art is by Jim Cheung, what a shame she's covered by the title. :P Thanks to CmX at CBR forums for this info!

"Dig into the archives of Marvel Comics with this massive compendium. Every iconic hero and villain of the Marvel Comics Universe is chronologically catalogued in this lush celebration of Marvel's seventy year history including Spider-Man, Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Captain America and hundreds more."

Marvel Omnibus - Captain Britain by Alan Moore & Alan Davis

Captain Britain by Alan Moore & Alan Davis Omnibus HC (Hardcover) is set to be released April 1, 2009. If you like Pre-X-Men Betsy, you might wanna check it out. Thanks to The Sword is Drawn at the CBR forums for this info!

"One of the Marvel Universe's most staggering sagas from two of Britain's most remarkable writers, reprinted in total for the first time! Captain Britain fights to save a universe...and fails! But a single reality is small change in the game Merlyn's playing against Mad Jim Jaspers, who's rewriting reality so he's the center of the universe! Worlds collide, heroes and villains die, and Captain Britain's beside himself - except when he's fighting himself...to the death! Featuring the first appearances of the metamorphic Meggan, Opal Luna Saturnyne, the Captain Britain Corps, and more! Plus: Psylocke joins the X-Men, and the X-Men join Captain Britain on a cosmic quest into the secrets of life and death! The fiendish Fury, the horrific Horde, and the malevolent Mojo are only a few of the adversaries who await within! Also guest-starring the New Mutants and Captain America! Collects Marvel Super-Heroes (UK) #377-388, The Daredevils (UK) #1-11, Captain America #305-306, Mighty World of Marvel (UK) #7-16, Captain Britain (UK) #1-14, New Mutants Annual #2, and Uncanny X-Men Annual #11."

X-Men: Worlds Apart #1

In X-Men: Worlds Apart #1, Storm faces the Shadow King and mentions all the people that could engage him in a battle. Professor X, Emma Frost and Psylocke. Betsy has kicked the Shadow King's ass twice! In Ororo's own words: "Psylocke is gone." Check out the entire scan by clicking on the left image.

Take 10: X-Women

A secret cabal of Marvel staffers has gathered to rank their Top 10 X-Women. Psylocke has ranked at #7!

7. Psylocke

First Appearance: Captain Britain #8 (1976)

Why She Makes the List: "Psylocke has the distinction of not only retaining her popularity, but actually becoming even more popular following massive changes to her character. As a prim and proper British telepath, Betsy Braddock quickly gained a foothold in the hearts of X-fans. However, when she got a hot new Asian bod and developed ninja skills to accompany her telekinetic and telepathic thunder, Psylocke's star really took off. Whatever form she's worn, the sister of Captain Britain has captivated readers with her wit and devil-may-care attitude." – Annihilator882

Spotlight Comic: UNCANNY X-MEN #256 —Psylocke is reinvented as the deadly Lady Mandarin!

X-Position: Paul Cornell

Captain Britain and MI:13 writer, Paul Cornell talks about Betsy on his X-Position at CBR.

With Psylocke being Brian’s twin sister and rumored to be returning to the real 616 universe soon, is there any chance of her making a cameo in the title? What about Meggan? You’ve done a magnificent job with the cast of your title and I’d love to see your take on both characters.

Thanks very much, RedRogue. I'm a bit stymied by wanting to keep my surprises close to my chest, but let's just say that I love both characters (my wife loves to play Psylocke on that X-Men beat ‘em up game you find in arcades), and would love to write for either of them -- which doesn't mean they'll both be appearing!

The redefinition and clarification of Brian's power-set was much needed and appreciated, but I've always wondered about his (and Betsy's) hinted origins being more products of genetic engineering by their father and Merlyn. Any chance you'll ever delve into that? It does seem curious due to the sort of power fluctuations both have had over the years, especially since it was initially hinted that the twins might've been engineered to take Merlyn's place and rule together. Any thoughts on this?

Thanks very much, Jarrod. I think Merlin's plans change over time. He's not omniscient, though he'd often like us to think that. He's set up Brian now as he wants and needs him to be. I don't know if I'd like to get into the origin stuff, because I do like to move forward, though I can see the attraction. It rather feels like something for way down the line, after we've got lots of nice big story under our belts.

Warren Ellis on Psylocke

Warren Ellis, Astonishing X-Men writer stated that he won't be touching the Psylocke character when she returns.

X-Infernus no More

Since Marvel has announced that Psylocke is coming back to the main Marvel Universe at the Diamond Retailer Summit, there's been a lot of rumours going on about when and where that will take place.

Marvel Assistant Editor Ben Morse told some Psylocke fans to check out X-Infernus, out in December at his board. Not once, but twice. But now, unfortunately, the plans have changed.

According to X-Infernus writer, C.B. Cebulski, Psylocke won't show up in X-Infernus... anymore:

"Now I hate to have to burst your bubble, but unfortunately Betsy will not be showing up in X-Infernus. I love the character and will admit that there was some initial talk of maybe including Psylocke in the series. However, in the end, it felt like we were unnaturally shoehorning her in and we decided it was not in the best interests of the character to have her play a role here. While I regret not being able to write her, I think we did make the best decision for the lovely Miss Braddock.

Hopefully we'll be seeing more of Psylocke in the Marvel Universe in the future in some way, shape or form. I know I'd love to have her back as soon as possible!"

Too bad! That would have been great...

Like a Butterfly

Welcome all to Like a Butterfly. A place for fans obsessed with Psylocke, our favorite purple-haired British ninja and longtime X-Men. Stay tuned to the latest news concerning Psylocke and enjoy!