X-Force #1 Bonus Scene

Who's surveilling X-Force?

X-Force #1 Art

X-Force #1 Advanced Spoilers

Spoilers: Forge has been running simulations and studying old X-Men battles when he's alerted by Maahe—his robot assistant—that the components are complete. Forge has been working on Project McCoy, named and inspired by Beast's work. He tests his new device with Maahe’s assistance, and the test is a success. Forge then creates the 'Analogue,' a sphere that predicts fracture points, times, and locations around the world where crises might occur if nothing is done. Forge moves on to the next phase: recruiting Sage.

Sage is currently in a Swiss clinic, hospitalized due to mental distress from feeling like a failure after Krakoa's fall. Forge visits her and explains the Analogue and how it represents the world's fractures.

Forge and Sage then head to England, Essex, to Braddock Manor, where they plan to recruit Betsy and Rachel. Forge explains how the Analogue works and how they can seal the fractures before they break apart. Betsy thinks the project has merit but prefers to stay out of action for a while. Rachel disagrees, and reluctantly, Betsy joins X-Force with Rachel by her side. A few days later, Forge meets with Deadpool and hires him for just one gig.

Days later, Forge and Sage head to Sorachi-Shi, the first fracture, aboard the Blackbird. Sage notes that satellite images show the city is completely empty. Betsy and Rachel join them. Forge forbids psychic communication, so they can only use comms. Betsy picks up on some human psychic energy, but they can't find anyone due to interference. X-Force can only see evidence of a battle at the scene.

When Sage opens a warehouse door, Surge attacks them. Realizing they are friends from the Institute, Surge explains that a type of sludge biomass suddenly appeared and began attacking all living things. The biomass consumes its victims entirely upon contact. Surge says she was protecting some civilians. The biomass creatures surround X-Force, and Forge calls in Tank and Deadpool. Betsy gets nervous at the mention of Deadpool. Tank and Deadpool start fighting the biomass creatures.

Rachel struggles to lift her telekinetic shields alone to protect the civilians and asks for help. Betsy gives Rachel a psychic boost (using her butterfly), allowing Rachel to throw the biomass creatures away.

Sage determines that the creatures are heading east, and Betsy and Rachel use their telepathy to direct the civilians to safety. The creatures form a massive kaiju that attacks Betsy psychically, overwhelming her with waves of hunger. Rachel angrily attacks the kaiju with all her strength, but it has no effect.

Sage discovers that the biomass is the work of a subsidiary of Essex Holding Corp run by Mr. Sinister. It’s an organic weapon, a hybrid of mutant genes and alien biomass that escaped containment. Forge tells the girls to retreat and instructs Tank to do a fastball special with Deadpool into the kaiju’s mouth. Deadpool’s cancer solves the fracture, as the creature’s biomass needs to grow. The cancer regenerates Deadpool until the creature starves to death. Forge recruits Surge, and X-Force heads to the second fracture point: Wakanda.

X-Force's Betsy Braddock by R.B. Silva

Source: Commissioned by Chris Garcia

SDCC'24: X-Force #5 Soliciation

X-Force #5

New issue of ongoing series, on sale November

Written by Geoffrey Thorne

Art by Marcus To

Cover by Stephen Segovia

A death on the team?!

Attacked from all sides, with a team member’s DEATH in the offing, and struggling to accomplish their mission, X-Force fights to seal the latest and worst Fracture Node threatening the Earth. Can X-Force pull through, or will they fracture and doom the world? The most surprising X-book of the season is just heating up — if you haven’t been reading it, now is the time to JUMP ABOARD!

X-Force #1 Preview

X-Force #1
Geoffrey Thorne (W) • Marcus To (A) • Stephen Segovia (C)
Foil Variant Cover by David Nakayama
Forge Variant Cover by Clayton Crain
Forge Virgin Variant Cover by Clayton Crain
Stormbreakers Variant Cover by Chris Allen
Variant Cover by Tony Daniel

Variant Cover by Mahmud Asrar
Variant Cover by Skottie Young 

Logo Variant Cover Also Available

A New Path Forged! The world is fractured. Forge uses his powers of invention to devise the only fix: an all-new, all-different X-Force! Forge leads a custom-made, handpicked team of mutants – Rachel Summers, Betsy Braddock, Sage, Surge, and introducing Tank – in off-the-books missions so dire, so integral to the fate of the Marvel Universe, there’s no time to stop for permission! As Forge detects increasing threats across the planet, he will recruit a specialist for each target – first up: that regenerating degenerate, Deadpool! Be here for an X-Force like you’ve never seen them before, stick around to see who joins, who lives, who dies, and uncover the mystery of Forge’s discovery!

In Stores: July 31, 2024

 

X-Force #2 Marvel Multiverse RPG Variant Cover by Ruairí Coleman

X-Men Monday #260 – Geoffrey Thorne Talks ‘X-Force’ (Plus: X-Force #4 Solicitation and Covers)

AIPT!: What can we expect from this new “From the Ashes” X-Force team, including their interpersonal relationships and future adventures? Let’s find out, straight from Geoffrey Thorne.

AIPT: Those mutants will hook you! OK, X-Force. What would you say your “From the Ashes” run has in common with past X-Force series and what makes it stand on its own?

Geoffrey: It has zero in common with past iterations of X-Force except that a couple of its members have been on prior X-Force teams. This isn’t a continuation of any of those. Not picking up any prior threads or closing off any supposed errors. Nor is it a commentary on or rejection of any of those, good or bad. 100% new. Jump in without any prior knowledge, folks.

It stands on its own because of everything I just said. New team, new mission, new dynamics. That said, Krakoa is over but it left a scar on a lot of folks, which is causing minor-to-major bends in their behavior and worldviews going forward.

AIPT: In an interview with ComicBook.com, you mentioned Betsy Braddock isn’t thrilled to join the team, but does so due to her girlfriend Rachel Summers’ interest. Where is Betsy’s head at going into this series, post-Krakoa?

Geoffrey: Lady Elizabeth Braddock has a great number of things to juggle. The aftermath of Krakoa’s fall, obviously. Her forced split focus between her life in 616 and her duties as Captain Britain and Otherworld. Also, she’s got this new relationship with this insanely powerful and fairly volatile and mercurial girlfriend who’s brought her own baggage on this journey (which is CONSIDERABLE).

X-Force #4

Geoffrey Thorne (W) • Marcus To (A)

Cover by: Stephen Segovia

Tank Variant Cover by: Clayton Crain

Tank Virgin Variant Cover by: Clayton Crain

Variant Cover by: Juan Ferreyra

Man-Thing Strikes as the Nexus of All Realities is at Stake!

The Nexus of All Realities is in danger – meaning if X-Force can’t seal this Fracture Node, they’ve got more to worry about than just one ol’ Earth! What extradimensional forces stand ready to take down Forge’s team? And the Nexus’ guardian, the Man-Thing – is he friend or foe? The all-new X-Force series continues to turn up the heat…and wait’ll you see what we’re cooking!

On Sale: 10/9

Mark Brooks Shares 'Disneyfied' Psylocke

X-Force #2 Variant Cover by Mark Bagley

Scott Koblish's 'Exceptional X-Men' Cover Features Captain Britain

X-Force Teaser

 

Psylocke | Captain Britain – Unused Designs

Welcome to our deep dive into the world of Betsy Braddock's unseen wardrobe! Over the years, Marvel has developed numerous stunning designs for Betsy, many of which never made it to the final pages. In this article, we reveal a treasure trove of these official, yet unused, costume concepts. We've meticulously edited and colored these hidden gems and are thrilled to showcase them in our Costume Gallery section. Plus, we've got an exclusive look at Betsy's newest unused design for the upcoming "From the Ashes" relaunch. Get ready to explore the fascinating evolution of Betsy's style!

Captain Britain by Alan Davis (c. 1985)

Alan Davis' original design for Captain Britain featured slightly different patterns, with Betsy's wig intended to be shorter and wavier, contrasting with the long, straight wig of the final version. According to Davis' plot notes, Betsy was originally set to become Captain Britain earlier, in Captain Britain vol. 2 #9 (1985), during the battle with the Cherub Whirlwind warpies. However, her final design as Captain Britain debuted in Captain Britain vol. 2 #12. This character design was later published as an extra in the Captain Britain Omnibus (2022).

Outback Psylocke by Arthur Adams (dated November 5, 1987)

In an effort to update the X-Men's appearance, Art Adams explored several new looks, particularly for the female members of the team. For Psylocke, Adams envisioned a black bodysuit paired with a one-piece bathing suit, with variations that included and excluded a cape/hood. His only stipulation was that the costume should not be pink. This design eventually evolved into the "Australian Outback Armor," which debuted in Uncanny X-Men vol. 1 #232 (1988). These character designs were later published in X-Men: Archives Sketchbook #1 (2000) and Modern Masters #6: Arthur Adams (2006).

Lady Mandarin by Jim Lee (dated June 22, 1989)

In X-Men: Archives Sketchbook #1, it was noted that Jim Lee attempted a dramatic reinterpretation of the "new" Psylocke with his designs for Lady Mandarin. While the first design closely resembles the final approved Lady Mandarin costume, the second design was quite different. According to Lee's notes, this version featured a black suit, black gloves, a protective "death" mask, and weapons concealed within the boots. Both versions included a retractable blade attached to the fist. The final Lady Mandarin costume made its debut on the cover of Uncanny X-Men vol. 1 #256 and within the pages of #257 (1989). These character designs were published in X-Men: Archives Sketchbook #1 (2000).

Mystery Telepath by Salvador Larroca (c. 2002)

According to legend, Chris Claremont originally planned for Psylocke's death in X-Treme X-Men to be temporary, envisioning her return stripped of the Crimson Dawn and possibly even back in her original body. In Claremont's Facebook Group, a fan shared the concept that Betsy was supposed to come back as a psychic "ghost" around X-Treme X-Men #19, struggling with the temptation to possess people. Salvador Larroca's notes reveal that Psylocke was to have a black costume, blue hair, and yellow eyes. However, during this period, Marvel had a policy against characters returning from the dead, quashing Claremont's plans. This character design later surfaced online in the mid-2000s. A similar character with blue hair and yellow eyes was introduced by Larroca in X-Men vol. 2 #171 (2005) as Foxx, Mystique's disguise as a student at Xavier's. Betsy was ultimately resurrected in Uncanny X-Men vol. 1 #455 (2005).

Uncanny X-Force/Marvel NOW! by Kris Anka (c. 2012)

When Kris Anka was tasked with redesigning the members of the Uncanny X-Force relaunch, he began with Psylocke. As the team leader, Anka wanted to perfect Psylocke's design first, using it as the foundation for the rest of the team. He created four different designs before the final one was selected. Anka shared all his designs with notes on his Tumblr page in October 2012.

Design 1: Anka envisioned a straightforward tactical suit, imagining Psylocke descending from the ceiling into a dark room for an assassination mission. The design aimed to reflect this scenario.

Design 2: Anka's approach with this design aimed to break up the all-black costume while reintroducing the skin-stripes essential to Psylocke's iconic look. Inspired by Opeña's work on the first volume of Uncanny X-Force, Anka incorporated his own stylistic touches to the shapes of these cut-outs.

Design 3: This iteration continued the theme of breaking up the black elements in Psylocke's costume, building upon the ideas explored in the previous design.

Design 4: Anka experimented with a stealthier approach for this design, focusing on visual effectiveness in low-light environments, ideal for an assassin's operations.

X-Force/All-New Marvel NOW! by Rock-He Kim (c. 2013)

Artist Rock-He Kim was responsible for redesigning all the X-Force members when the series was relaunched in early 2014. When USA Today announced the relaunch in November 2013, Kim's original character design for Psylocke was revealed. Initially, Betsy's X-Force costume featured more intricate details, including camouflage patterns reminiscent of the leg and arm stripes from Jim Lee's classic Psylocke design. The final, approved design was simpler, with fewer camo patterns, and made its debut in X-Force (vol. 4) #1 (2014).

Mystery in Madripoor/Disassembled by Mahmud Asrar (c. 2018)

Artist Mahmud Asrar undertook the task of redesigning Psylocke for Mystery in Madripoor, a storyline where Betsy reclaimed her original body. Asrar developed two distinct designs for the character. The chosen design, affectionately dubbed the "Disassembled" costume by fans, made its debut in Hunt for Wolverine: Mystery in Madripoor #4 (2018). A second, unused design was later featured as an extra in the Director's Cut of Uncanny X-Men vol. 5 #1 (2018). This alternate design, reminiscent of Asrar's work on Jean Grey's X-Men Red costume, incorporated elements similar to Psylocke's Outback armor, including a hood, cape, and pieces of armor.

Captain Britain/Dawn of X by Marcus To (c. 2019)

Marcus To undertook the redesign of Betsy Braddock as Captain Britain when she assumed the mantle in Excalibur vol. 4 #1 (2019) as part of the Dawn of X relaunch. To later disclosed that he had developed multiple designs for Betsy's new costume. In April 2020, To unveiled one of these unused designs on Twitter, which was subsequently repurposed for Brian Braddock in Excalibur vol. 4 #6 (2020). Unlike the traditional Union Jack design, this costume predominantly featured red tones and paid homage to Brian's original Captain Britain attire, incorporating intricate golden details and a prominent Lion Rampant symbol on the chest.

Captain Britain/Destiny of X by Vasco Georgiev (c. 2022)

When Betsy Braddock: Captain Britain (2023) was announced in late 2022, Erica D'Urso was selected as the cover artist, while Vasco Georgiev was slated to handle interior art. Following the announcement, D'Urso shared a work-in-progress of the first issue cover, which introduced a fresh design for Captain Britain featuring a Lion Rampant symbol on the chest, more fabric, and less armor. This particular design was crafted by Georgiev. However, editorial decisions prompted a shift back to Betsy's previous Excalibur (2019) design. Unfortunately, Georgiev's original design sketch never surfaced online, and the only glimpse we have of this concept is D'Urso's work-in-progress cover.

X-Force/From The Ashes by Marcus To (c. 2024)

With the dawn of a new era, new books naturally introduced fresh costumes for its characters. In the case of X-Force (2024), editorial opted to maintain a unified black stealth look for the team. Marcus To, however, advocated for adding red accents to make the costumes stand out. Additionally, he incorporated touches of yellow as a nod to the classic X-Men aesthetics. To provided a glimpse into several alternative designs on Twitter that didn't make the final cut. Betsy's design notably featured loose sleeves and her iconic waist sash.