Marvel Monograph: The Art of Arthur Adams Cover by Art Adams

Excalibur #9 Cover

X-Solicits for April 2020

	Excalibur #10 Tini Howard (W) • Marcus To (A) Cover by: Mahmud Asrar London is Burning! Captain Britain is faced with her hardest decision yet as Britain goes to war with Krakoa. Can Excalibur survive being torn between two worlds?
	X-Men #10 Jonathan Hickman (W) • Leinil Francis Yu (A/C) Marvel Zombies Variant Cover by: Ryan Brown Empyre Variant Cover by: TBA Confrontation Variant by: Patch Zircher Empyre Tie-In! The Summers family has grown a Krakoan home on the moon. Now some new neighbors have moved in.
	Marauders #10 Gerry Duggan (W) • Stefano Casseli (A) Cover by: Russel Dauterman A Show of Power! The Marauders set their sights on the power-dampening technology that seems to have made its way into far too many hands - most notably, the Russian Army. The Hellfire’s wrath with be swift and harsh.
	New Mutants #10  Ed Brisson (W) • Flaviano (A) Cover by: Mike Del Mundo By the Skin of Their Teeth! The NEW MUTANTS know it’s tough to adjust to having powers, especially with the new Krakoan paradigm. They’ve been there - and they’re able to help, no matter how weird, wild and dangerous the case may be! ...Right?
	X-Force #10 Benjamin Percy (W) • Joshua Cassara (A) Cover by: Dustin Weaver The Deadly Garden! As one of the team members struggles with their secrets unraveling, the rest of X-Force has to fight to stay alive long enough to salvage their mission.
	Hellions #2 Zeb Wells (W) • Stephen Segovia (A/C) Variant Cover by: TBA The Dominant Species? The Hellions can barely keep from killing one another, let alone find a way to fit into Krakoan society. Of course, that might be just what Mister Sinister is counting on when he sends them to clean up his messes.
	X-Factor #1 Leah Williams (W) • David Baldeón (A) Cover by: Ivan Shavrin Variant Cover by: Otto Schmidt Hidden Gem Variant Cover by: TBA Variant Cover by: Ema Lupacchino Variant Cover by: David Baldeon Design Variant Cover by: Tom Muller Yellow Variant Cover Also Available Mutants Have Conquered Death! by: the grace of The Five, the resurrection protocols can bring back any fallen mutant. But such a huge enterprise isn’t without its problems and complications… When a mutant dies, X-Factor is there to investigate how and why to keep the rules of reincarnation. Writer Leah Williams (AMAZING MARY JANE, X-TREMISTS) and artist David Baldeón (DOMINO, WEB WARRIORS) take Northstar, Polaris, Prodigy, Eye-boy, Daken and Prestige into the world of murder and missing persons…
	Children of The Atom #1 Vita Ayala (W) • Bernard Chang (A) Cover by: R.B. Silva Hidden Gem Variant by: Jim Lee Variant Cover by: Todd Nauck Variant Cover by: Bernard Chang Design Variant Cover by: Tom Muller When Did The X-Men Get Sidekicks?! Now! Don’t miss the debut of the greatest teenage super hero team of all time! They’ve learned from the best, now they’re ready to be put to the test! But who the heck are these kids, and where do they come from? Guest-starring the X-Men!

Excalibur #6 Art

Excalibur #6 Spoilers

Spoilers: At the Hatchery, Professor X welcomes Apocalypse back to life. As a member of the Quiet Council, he is granted an advanced position in Krakoa’s resurrection queue. Also present is Jamie Braddock who is seemingly allied with Apocalypse.

Back at Otherworld, in the middle of the war between Morgan Le Fay and the White Witch, Excalibur joins the forces against Morgan’s army. Apocalypse returns to Otherworld and proposes a duel to death between his champion, Betsy, and Morgan’s Champion, Brian, for the fate of Otherworld. After a brief chat with Rogue, and considering her options, Betsy accepts to duel with Brian. Apocalypse warns Jubilee to stay sharp and let Shogo loose on his mark. As both Captains Britain start dueling, Betsy decides to lay down her sword, refusing to kill Brian. Jamie Braddock reappears in Otherworld’s throne and seemingly has a hand in making Betsy pass a sword through Brian’s body, killing him. At that moment, Apocalypse orders Shogo to spit fire at Morgan’s soldiers. Apocalypse declares Jamie Braddock the new king of Avalon and permits Mogan to live in exile. Betsy orders Jamie to resurrect Brian as soon as possible, which he does. Brian wakes up shocked to see Jamie back to life.

Afterwards, in Krakoa, Rogue and Gambit stay the night together, where she reveals she is again in control of her powers. Rogue also says she is not thinking of having children anytime soon. Betsy returns to Braddock Manor in hopes to bring Brian to Krakoa and celebrate. Brian reveals that Morgan’s spell has killed the part of him that chose the Amulet of Right. Instead, Merlyn and Roma came to him in his dreams, and he has taken the Sword of Might in its place, which grants him gifts and abilities. Brian asks Betsy to lock the sword away for both their safety.

Meanwhile, in Otherworld, Jamie Braddock finds Apocalypse experimenting on Morgan Le Fay’s body, however she remains very much alive.

Cable #2 Marvel Zombies Variant by David Yardin

Teaser: Captain Britain by Mahmud Asrar

80s Outback X-Women by Babs Tarr

Excalibur #6 Preview

Excalibur #6

Writer: Tini Howard

Artist: Marcus To

Color Artist: Erick Arciniega

Cover by: Mahmud A. Asrar

The Story:

The Secret of Rogue's Coffin! Locked in her mysterious coffin, Rogue dreams. Meanwhile, Apocalypse performs a ritual, and the throne of power changes hands. The reign of mutantkind reaches the Otherworld at last.

In Stores: January 22, 2020

Fallen Angels #5 Spoilers & Art

Spoilers: Kwannon finds Betsy training on the Wild Hunt. They both train in complete unison with each other. Kwannon knows that the blame cannot fall on Betsy as it wasn't really her fault. But because of her own trauma, she can't fully forgive her until she's sure that they cannot feel each other and are finally apart. She walks off as Betsy looks on and smiles.

Excalibur #5 Art

Excalibur #5 Spoilers

Spoilers: As Gambit falls to his death, Rictor uses the magic-imbued crystals to bend the earth and save Remy. Gambit and Rictor reach the surface only to find the magical beasts from Otherwold devastating London. Apocalypse orders them to return to the Lighthouse as he is ready to perform a ritual that will permanently allow mutant access to Otherworld. In London, Captain Britain and Pete Wisdom team up to protect the people in the streets. Betsy takes Wisdom to his apartment in safety and leaves for the Lighthouse. Excalibur regroups at the Lighthouse and Apocalypse explains that Shogo’s dragonfire melted the veil between Otherworld and Earth. Apocalypse is upset things are moving way too fast and not according to his plains, to which Gambit explains that he was the one who changed his plans. Remy had asked for Rachel Summers’ help to look after Rogue as Gambit knew it was Apocalypse who had placed Rogue into a coma intentionally. Apocalypse gets even angrier when he realizes Rictor had used the magic imbued in the crystals to save Gambit. As the magic lies inside Remy, Apocalypse decides it’s time to use him instead.

Meanwhile, Rogue finds herself in a dreamscape where she meets the same fiery wolf Betsy had previously dreamt about. The wolf leads Rogue to a circle of stones. Rogue sees a vision of Apocalypse which prompts her to remember the light that hit her before. Rogue realizes the wolf is actually Rachel looking after her. It’s time to wake up.

Rogue wakes up from her coma ready to save Gambit from Apocalypse. Rogue is angry at Apocalypse for using them as pawns and touches his bare skin. Apocalypse realizes his own bones are imbued with magic and persuades Rogue to kill him instead as to complete the ritual. Rogue kills Apocalypse and the gate changes as the ritual is fulfilled. Rogue warns Betsy that he wants the throne. Betsy, Gambit, Rictor and Jubilee all look in awe at Rogue displaying Apocalypse’s powers.

X-Men Monday #42 – Tini Howard Answers Your Excalibur Questions

AiPT!: Welcome, X-Fans, to another uncanny edition of X-Men Monday at AIPT! Before you read this week’s Excalibur #5, take a look at what Tini Howard had to say in response to some of your queries.

AIPT: Could you speak to the process of creating the concept of “Mutant Magic” in the Marvel Universe?

Tini: Oh, we’re starting out with a brainy one.

I’ve been a longtime fan of magical theory. Even if you don’t believe in anything you can’t see, it’s fascinating to look at the ways we develop ‘magical thinking’–how and why people have historically discussed what we can’t see or explain. I don’t pretend that [A]’s thinking is my own purely–I took elements of his thought from Aleister Crowley to Alan Moore, I did a lot of reading and research on the things that seemed right to my inner [A].

Ultimately so much human magic is about the exceptional nature of the individual, the focus and training they have to endure to access the power, etc. etc. And I think that’s because humans have historically thrived in group agricultural settlements and sought to stand out from a crowd. But mutants have been denied that, so the theory is that mutants have a superior strength that exists in the communities they’ve never before been able to form and be protected. Like, maybe the powers and abilities that mutants have are just incidentals to protect them from exterior forces and the group itself is the goal, you know?

Just a theory. Like everything else.

AIPT: Are there any particular non-Marvel Arthurian texts or media that inspired your take on Morgan le Fay or the Matter of Britain more broadly?

Tini: I was raised and told stories by a guy who’d read Malory’s Le Morte d’Arthur in the 1485 Middle English translation and loved to tell me about it, so… I don’t know a time when I didn’t know these stories. I was raised on swords and sorcery, scoured all of Disney World for Sword in the Stone merch, could recite Python as a kid and had developed an intense fondness for witches. I devoured many, many versions of the myth and rejected some as I aged beyond what I felt were simplistic takes. What’s fascinating is that rather than trying to create a coherent narrative of the Matter of Britain in my version of Otherworld, I’m trying to create an interesting landscape based on it? Which is a completely different exercise and a lot more fun.

AIPT: How the idea of Betsy Braddock becoming Captain Britain came about? Also, was anyone concerned it might actually hurt Betsy in the long run since Psylocke is a far more popular brand than Captain Britain?

Tini: That was just a pure magic moment. I came into the room with “Here’s my take on mutant magic and who should do it and how it should go,” and I remember Jonathan and Jordan just looking at me across the table and being like “This sounds like our Excalibur book” and we all sort of realized simultaneously that’s Betsy’s next step. The Captain Britain of the new Excalibur. I think we even all said it at the same time.

That brand thing never came up once. Kwannon is still Psylocke and she’s great–we still have an amazing Psylocke sans Betsy. We didn’t seek to ‘prioritize the Betsy brand’ or anything. I want a long history of learning more about Kwannon and watching Psylocke be Psylocke.

AIPT: When we last left Rogue in Mr. and Mrs. X, she had gained control of her powers. Now she seems to have lost them again. Will we be finding out why?

Tini: One of the things I’m enjoying about characters like Rogue and Rictor–and part of why I chose to write them–was because they were two characters I felt would be incredibly empowered or altered by the physicality of what Krakoa is and the resulting status quo shift. So, yes, you’ll see some more of that explained and explored coming up.

AIPT: What interested you in bringing Apocalypse onboard and making him the team’s dad? Also, is there a correct way to pronounce • –|A|– •?

Tini: It warms my heart to see how respectful the fans have been with regard to using Apocalypse’s name. It really just is a testament to how thoughtful folks are about these books.

But, ah, well, as we saw in the very rad X-Men #4, we’re filthy humans and his true name is not for us to utter. We can call him Apocalypse ’cause he might just be, for us. The thought was that he wouldn’t want his people to call him Apocalypse. He doesn’t seek to end this, so Apocalypse no longer fits him. Like we’re humans, so we can still call him “mister death” but like you wouldn’t want your friends parents to call you that at dinner. He wants them to call him [Apocalypse’s Krakoan true name.] I asked Jon for a special symbol and he made it happen and was in on my crazy idea.

I just say ‘Apocalypse’ and type it as [A] usually for shorthand.

AIPT: How do you maintain such true voices for all the characters. And also wanted to know if we’ll ever see “Blue Dad” in print in an issue.

Tini: That’s very kind–they’re very distinct in my head. I’m a longtime tabletop role player, so I know my party well, I think. As for “Blue Dad,” I think I’d have to start paying out to Twitter users if I wanted to use that epithet.

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AIPT: Warren Worthington III and Shatterstar are probably Betsy and Rictor’s greatest relationships, respectively. Are you interested in developing these existing relationships or moving Betsy and Rictor forward past them? 

Tini: That’s kind of a black-or-white set of choices, isn’t it? I don’t know that I am interested in either of those two options–not because it isn’t a good question, but because I don’t think either of those two options apply to how I write? I don’t necessarily want ‘back as it was before’ or ‘no more of that ever.’ I want change and flux and story. If they’re together, they’ll be different than they were before. If they aren’t, that doesn’t mean they never will be again. 

I’ll say this–Betsy thinks about Warren. Rictor thinks about Shatterstar. They aren’t absent in any part of the book’s planning or the characters’ motivations. 

AIPT: Thus far, the only romantic interactions in Excalibur have been between Rogue and Gambit. Are there plans to introduce or (reintroduce) a love interest for any of the cast members? 

Tini: See above. Stuff is building, cooking. In my mind I know who they’re all thinking about, or not thinking about. Some of them are thinking of someone new. Some of them are thinking of more than one person and internally struggling (or not! it’s KRAKOA!) with that choice. 

I just finished writing an issue with a plot-relevant kiss in it, so that was fun. 

AIPT: The comics industry has predominantly featured male voices. What has been your experience in injecting a woman’s perspective into comics storytelling? Even more so, how does Betsy’s role as Captain Britain and the leader of Excalibur add to the conversation? 

Tini: Sometimes I get tired talking about this stuff so instead I’ll highlight something cool–someone was saying I may have included what was the first mention of tampons in a Marvel Comics story in that data page from Excalibur #3? That’s neat. I know I would be wondering about it, and I think it’s cool to normalize those things. And ‘tampon’ is objectively a funny word. 

AIPT: You mentioned on the Women of Marvel podcast that you worked really close with Jonathan Hickman for a future Excalibur arc that’s going to have a couple of massive issues. How was the process of working directly with him and how soon can we expect this arc? 

Tini: I’ll drop the armor and be genuine, because he deserves it–Jonathan is an incredible mentor. His notes are intense and thoughtful, he’s never ever shy to tell me when something isn’t working and when it is, or when something’s almost working. I get a lot of ‘I see what you’re trying to do here’ from Jon and those notes are some of my favorite. He’s great at helping me become the best version of myself as a writer. He never wants us to do what he would do. He wants us to do what we’d do, and make our own good choices. 

I love his work, and I’ve been not displeased with my own work of late, so I have high hopes that our collaboration will be the best of both. But I’m not telling you anything else.

Excalibur #5 Preview

Excalibur #5

Writer: Tini Howard

Artist: Marcus To

Color Artist: Erick Arciniega

Cover by: Mahmud A. Asrar

The Story:

The Secret of Rogue's Coffin! Locked in her mysterious coffin, Rogue dreams. Meanwhile, Apocalypse performs a ritual, and the throne of power changes hands. The reign of mutantkind reaches the Otherworld at last.

In Stores: January 8, 2020

Recap 2019 • Psylocke / Captain Britain

Betsy Braddock • Year in Review

Recap 2019 — From Psylocke to Captain Britain

The year began with the conclusion of the weekly Disassembled event in Uncanny X-Men, where Psylocke played a prominent role and delivered a strong display of her powers. In its aftermath, the X-Men were transported to the Age of X-Man, a new plane of existence created by Nate Grey. Within this seemingly perfect world, Betsy served as a law enforcer for Department X and the X-Tremists.

In the second half of the year, Jonathan Hickman redefined the X-Universe with House of X and Powers of X, establishing the mutant nation of Krakoa. Although Betsy did not play a role in those series, the relaunch of Excalibur marked a defining new chapter: she left the Psylocke identity behind and became Captain Britain, a hero of legend.

January01

Uncanny X-Men #8

Disassembled, Chapter 8

Psylocke and Jean Grey find out Legion has trapped the students and Nate Grey in his mind. Betsy later helps Bishop free them.

Uncanny X-Men #9

Disassembled, Chapter 9

Psylocke attempts to fight Nate head on but is overwhelmed. Betsy later joins the combined efforts of the X-Men to strike at Nate at once.

Uncanny X-Men #10

Disassembled, Chapter 10

Psylocke breaks X-Man’s hold on Storm. Betsy later joins Jean Grey and other psychics to split Nate Grey and Legion. The X-Men are all seemingly killed in the aftermath.

Age of X-Men Alpha #1

AoXM

Welcome to a Perfect World

Psylocke reappears in the mysterious Age of X-Man with false memories, where she works as a law enforcer for Department X and excommunicates Bishop.

February02

Age of X-Man: NextGen #1

AoXM

Age of X-Man: NextGen, Chapter 1

Clerk Psylocke of Department X visits the Summers Institute for Higher Learning to speak to the students at Professor Sunfire's Civil Management class.

Age of X-Man: X-Tremists #1

AoXM

Age of X-Man: X-Tremists, Chapter 1

Clerk Psylocke and Department X take into custody a couple who has engaged in intimacy and violated the laws of the Age of X-Man.

March03

Age of X-Man: Apocalypse & The X-Tracts #1

AoXM / Off-Panel

Age of X-Man: Apocalypse & The X-Tracts, Chapter 1

Clerk Psylocke and Clerk Iceman work together to look out for any dissenters.

Age of X-Man: The Marvelous X-Men #2

AoXM

Age of X-Man: The Marvelous X-Men, Chapter 2

Clerk Psylocke and Clerk Moneta explain to the Marvelous X-Men which measures could be taken against Apocalypse and his followers.

Age of X-Man: X-Tremists #2

AoXM

Age of X-Man: X-Tremists, Chapter 2

Clerk Psylocke confronts Clerk Blob about his attraction towards her. Betsy later visits his house where he admits his feelings for her.

April04

Age of X-Man: Prisoner X #2

AoXM

Age of X-Man: Prisoner X, Chapter 2

Clerk Psylocke visits Warden Forge at the Danger Room Prison and reminds him of the importance of the work that he does there.

Age of X-Man: X-Tremists #3

AoXM

Age of X-Man: X-Tremists, Chapter 3

Clerk Psylocke develops a special friendship with Clerk Blob behind their teammates' back. The two of them regularly discuss personal feelings and books.

May05

Age of X-Man: The Marvelous X-Men #4

AoXM

Age of X-Man: The Marvelous X-Men, Chapter 4

Clerk Psylocke and Department X travel to London to look for the X-Tracts. They later attempt to apprehend Colossus for kissing Kitty Pryde.

Age of X-Man: NextGen #4

AoXM

Age of X-Man: NextGen, Chapter 4

Clerk Psylocke and Clerk Blob are called by Dean Angel at the Summers Institute to investigate some students who are seemingly addicted to Unveil.

Age of X-Man: X-Tremists #4

AoXM

Age of X-Man: X-Tremists, Chapter 4

Clerk Psylocke and Clerk Blob take Moneta into custody while their teammates begin to suspect their close relationship.

X-Men: Grand Design - X-Tinction #1

Recap

X-Men: Grand Design - X-Tinction, Chapter 1

Retelling of the events from Mutant Massacre up to Inferno.

June06

Age of X-Man: The Marvelous X-Men #5

AoXM

Age of X-Man: The Marvelous X-Men, Chapter 5

Clerk Psylocke and the X-Men learn the truth about Moneta's murder and the Age of X-Man. Magneto instructs Psylocke to keep the information secret.

Age of X-Man: NextGen #5

AoXM

Age of X-Man: NextGen, Chapter 5

Clerk Psylocke and Department X chase after the rebellious students of the Summers Institute. The kids are ultimately sent to the Danger Room Prison.

X-Men: Grand Design - X-Tinction #2

Recap

X-Men: Grand Design - X-Tinction, Chapter 2

Retelling of the events from the Siege Perilous up to The X-Tinction Agenda.

Age of X-Man: X-Tremists #5

AoXM

Age of X-Man: X-Tremists, Chapter 5

Clerk Psylocke reveals she never erased the minds of any prisoners and instead harbored their memories in her subconscious. Betsy later restores everyone's minds.

July07

Age of X-Man Omega #1

AoXM

Age of X-Man Omega

Clerk Psylocke regains her true memories of Earth-616 as does every other X-Men. They all decide to come back home.

Uncanny X-Men #22

We Have Always Been, Chapter 6

Psylocke returns home to Earth-616 and rejoins Cyclops' X-Men to end the threat of Colonel Callahan and his Sentinels once and for all.

August08

Marvel Comics #1000

Recap

Turkey Soup for the Deadpool Soul

Deadpool reminisces about getting his first ongoing in 1997.

October10

History of the Marvel Universe #4

Recap

History of the Marvel Universe, Chapter 4

Retelling of the events of X-Cutioner's Song.

Excalibur #1

Verse I: The Accolade of Betsy Braddock

Betsy Braddock moves to Krakoa, where she is tasked by Apocalypse to investigate a Krakoan gate in Otherworld. Betsy ultimately becomes Captain Britain.

November11

Fallen Angels #1

Bushido

Betsy Braddock tries to approach Kwannon during the Krakoan festivities, however the ninja assassin dismissed her.

History of the Marvel Universe #5

Recap

History of the Marvel Universe, Chapter 5

Retelling of the events of Avengers Vs. X-Men.

Excalibur #2

Verse II: A Tower of Flowers

Captain Britain takes her teammates to the Braddock Lighthouse, where they forge an alliance with druids and battle minions of Coven Akkaba.

December12

Excalibur #3

Verse III: Three Covenants

Captain Britain, Gambit and Jubilee head to Morgan Le Fay's castle in Otherworld. Betsy briefly fights with a mind-controlled Brian before fleeing.

Excalibur #4

Verse IV: Fall Back and Think of England!

Captain Britain meets with the Queen of England and makes her team Excalibur official. She later confronts the high-priests of Coven Akkaba.

History of the Marvel Universe #6

History of the Marvel Universe, Chapter 6

Captain Britain appears among Marvel's greatest heroes.

Refresh your memories and talk about your favorite stories, writers, artists, quotes and more. Happy New Year!