Wednesday, January 22, 2025

X-Force #10 (LGY #300) to Feature ‘Classified’ Character

Courtesy of Marvel Comics, AIPT can exclusively reveal cover art and story details for X-Force #10, legacy numbering #300! The issue continues Geoffrey Thorne and Marcus To’s story, with a special bonus anniversary story by Fabian Nicieza and Edgar Salazar

Even though the solicitation is tight-lipped, it promises a “Classified” character appearance. Curious! The latest issue of X-Force, #7, was released on January 1st. 

Check out the solicitation below. 

CELEBRATING 300 ISSUES OF X-FORCE WITH STARTLING REVELATIONS! 

FORGE has assembled X-FORCE to fix the world’s problems, but at last, THE SOLUTION reveals itself! WHO or WHAT is the Solution, and what does it mean for the fate of the world? New villains, old friends and a terrible decision that will change them all forever! PLUS: A special anniversary tale featuring X-FORCEs past by Fabian Nicieza! Note: This issue contains a key appearance by CLASSIFIED. 

X-FORCE #10 (LGY 300) 
Written by GEOFFREY THORNE & FABIAN NICIEZA
Art by MARCUS TO & EDGAR SALAZAR
Cover by STEPHEN SEGOVIA
Hidden Gem Variant Cover by ADAM KUBERT
On Sale 4/16


Captain Britain Joins Marvel Puzzle Quest

MARVEL Puzzle Quest: Betsy Braddock takes on the mantle of Captain Britain when she makes her MARVEL Puzzle Quest debut later this week! 🛡️


After being reborn in her own body after having spent years body swapped with the assassin known as Kwannon, Betsy Braddock was at a bit of a crossroads. One that tended when an opportunity arose to don the mantle of Captain Britain in the stead of her brother, Brian Braddock. With the help of the ability to traverse multiverses, Captain Britain and the Captain Britain Corps keep the peace, whether on Avalon or off.


Monday, January 20, 2025

Geoffrey Thorne's Annotations for X-Force #7

Geoffrey Thorne's Annotations: A few more annotations in this one than the last although I did want to put them together for a couple of reasons. Three, actually.

1) We have a fabulous guest artist taking over the ill chores while Marcus is off having some personal time. Welcome Mr. James Towe for both of these issues.

2) Both of these issues represent a gearshift from the previous arc which was 100% "run-and-gun."

3) Both these issues take place in "virtual spaces." In issue 6 that's VR and, here, it's the mindscape/astral plane. If we're going to have a guest artist, I generally prefer for their issues to coincide with a style and/or venue change in the story in order to minimize the visual jolt for the audience. With #6 and #7 we had both. So.

Let's crack on.

Mindscapes in Marvel comics are, like many, many things, less defined than perhaps they ought to be. Their characteristics are wobbly by default as writers over the years have "defined" them however they've wanted to suit their stories.

I don't care for that but, as with all Big Two comics, we have to use the tools available and abide by the established rules of the road. At least, I do.

So, here, we have a private minds cape, a mental pocket dimension created by Betsy Braddock to house the psyches and psionic energies of herself and her lover Rachel Summers. It's a sort of private getaway telepaths can use to, well, get away. We've seen Emma Frost use this for illicit encounters with Scott Summers.

Betsy's, for Rachel, is a facsimile of the old Excalibur lighthouse, a place Rachel spent the bulk of her time in 616 and in which she had weird fun adventured and a family not friends. I figured that was the time and place she had to have been happiest since coming to 616 so that's what Betsy figures as well.

Some fans have already twigged the reappearance of the OG Psylocke outfits in this issue. And, yes, that's purposeful but not for the reasons one might think. Over the years of being merged with Kwannon, nearly every time we saw Betsy's mental/astral image it was identical to her trademarked physical appearance, i.e. an Asian woman.

This, of course, makes zero sense. Regardless of the body she was stuck in, Elizabeth Braddock grew up as a caucasian woman of British and Otherworldly extraction. There's no way her internal self-image would be asian.

So, here, we fix. (Also, anything that puts me in mind of Alan Davis art is Good.)

Also, as it's the mental plane, I thought it would be fun to have Betsy's look shift, depending on how she sees herself in the moment. So, when it's time to murder somebody, her mental self-image reverts to this [the Australian Outback armor].

Put together with her current Big Ass Sword construct, this version of Betsy just screams Fantasy Knight (and this was before she was even Captain Britain).

Saturday, January 4, 2025

Recap 2024 • Betsy Braddock/Captain Britain

Recap 2024 • After a challenging 2023, where Betsy's solo title was cancelled due to poor sales, 2024 marked a year of revitalization and transformation for Betsy Braddock. Her journey began with a pivotal role in X-Men Unlimited Infinity Comic in January under writer Steve Foxe. As Captain Britain, Betsy faced complex challenges, particularly after her dramatic renouncement of the United Kingdom following their alliance with Orchis.

With the end of the Krakoan era, the X-Men entered a new chapter with the "From The Ashes" era, led by new senior editor Tom Brevoort. Betsy rejoined X-Force under writer Geoffrey Thorne, now donning a more traditional superhero costume. She continued to shine, with fans feeling she had regained her voice. Thorne was notably receptive to feedback from Betsy’s fans, frequently engaging with them on online forums. This openness and Betsy’s evolution throughout the year reinvigorated her fanbase. The year ended on a high note, with anticipation growing for X-Force #7, the first issue of the new year focused on Betsy.

As we look back on 2024, let’s revisit Betsy’s most memorable moments, explore the evolution of her character, and celebrate her continuing legacy in the X-Men universe. Happy New Year to all her fans—here’s to an exciting future ahead!

JANUARY

X-Men Unlimited Infinity Comic #123
“X-Corps Unlimited!”
Captain Britain joins X-Corps, counters Orchis' propaganda via media, and helps sustain public support for mutants amid escalating threats and misinformation campaigns.

 

FEBRUARY

X-Men Unlimited Infinity Comic #125
“The United Kingdom versus Captain Britain!”
Betsy faces anti-mutant bias on live TV, battles Orchis Sentinels in London, reunites with Rictor and Shatterstar, exposes UK mutant abductions, and plans bold action from Braddock Manor.

 

Wolverine: Madripoor Knights #1
“Blindsides Galore!”
[Flashback] Psylocke battles Hand ninjas in Madripoor, protects Jubilee, and discovers the Bacchae's plea for aid. Sensing their urgency, she joins them, taking Jubilee along for their mission.

 

X-Men Unlimited Infinity Comic #126
“Borstal Breakout!”
Captain Britain, Shatterstar, and Rictor infiltrate a mutant containment facility, uncovering a massacre and the disappearance of children. They confront the Externals, leading to an intense battle.

 

X-Men Unlimited Infinity Comic #127
“Brawl in Cell Block X!”
Captain Britain, alongside Shatterstar and Rictor, battles the Externals. She confronts Absalom, using her psychic knife to probe Selene’s agenda, but the Externals escape, leaving the heroes with ominous uncertainty.

 

X-Men Unlimited Infinity Comic #128
“Fires of Finality!”
After the explosion at the facility, Captain Britain and her team escape, facing hostility in London. At X-Corps, Betsy renounces the UK for its alliance with Orchis, signaling a major turning point.

 

MARCH

X-Men Unlimited Infinity Comic #129
“The Burning Heart of X-Corps!”
Captain Britain joins X-Corps' new initiative, helping plan global relief efforts. As the team confronts Orchis and Selene’s schemes, Betsy clarifies the Externals’ role in mutant disappearances, heightening the urgency.

 

Dead X-Men #3
“An Echo A Stain”
[Alternate] Psylocke-5 leads the X-Men-5 in defending Faraway, attacking the X-Men with her team, and engaging in a fight until Cyborg Moira arrives, unleashing a powerful blast with her M Weapon.

 

X-Men Unlimited Infinity Comic #131
“A Call to Arms!”
Captain Britain and X-Corps work to disrupt Selene’s ritual by using Jamie Madrox’s dupe to gather intel on the Externals. The plan succeeds, leading to a shocking reveal about Tempo’s role in Selene’s ascension.

 

APRIL

X-Men Unlimited Infinity Comic #133
“Panic in the Sky!”
Betsy coordinates efforts to prevent X-Corps Island’s crash, contacts Dani telepathically, and orders Rictor to use his geokinetic powers to stabilize the island, ensuring the team remains focused on the crisis.

 

X-Men Unlimited Infinity Comic #135
“Grudge Match!”
Betsy oversees the team's strategy and recognizes the urgency to confront the Externals, signaling a shift toward proactive engagement in the escalating conflict with Selene and her allies.

 

 

Dead X-Men #4
“Hyper Balled”
[Alternate] Psylocke-5 and her X-Men-5 join forces with the 616-X-Men to battle Cyborg Moira, until the 616-X-Men depart her reality.

 

X-Men Unlimited Infinity Comic #136
“The Battle of X-calates!”
Betsy notes Selene's psychic dead zone around Nova Roma, making telepathic contact difficult, and identifies an invisible barrier as magic, recognizing the Externals' expertise in ancient ways.

 

X-Men Unlimited Infinity Comic #137
“Enter the Dragon!”
Betsy orders the team to advance, attacks Saul with her psychic sword, and defends herself with a telekinetic shield. She climbs Saul’s dragon form, thrusting her sword into its scales during the battle.

 

MAY

X-Men Unlimited Infinity Comic #138
“Crule, Crule Summer!”
Betsy rides Saul in dragon form, orders him to land, and uses her psychic knife to knock him unconscious. She informs Mirage that the Externals are defeated and it's time to bring in the strike team.

 

Giant-Size X-Men #1
“Truth or Die”
[Hallucination] Archangel hallucinates about his former girlfriends, including Betsy Braddock as Psylocke, who appears to him as a waitress.

 

X-Men Unlimited Infinity Comic #139
“Ascension Agenda!”

Betsy, along with Shatterstar, Rictor, Warpath, and Thunderbird, rushes toward Selene's palace, but their progress halts as they witness Selene nearing the completion of her ascension, towering in blood.

 

X-Men Unlimited Infinity Comic #140
“Attack on (a) Blood Titan!”
Betsy, Rictor, Shatterstar, Thunderbird, and Warpath face the blood drones to buy time for Mirage's team, as Selene's ascension nears completion. Betsy strategizes to hold off the threats.

 

X-Men Unlimited Infinity Comic #141
“New Mutants, Old Grudges!”
Betsy helps coordinate X-Corps’ strategy, ensuring Magma and Khora stay focused. She assists in isolating Selene's palace and emphasizes protecting Nova Roma and mutants while supporting Dani’s plan.

 

X-Men: The Wedding Special #1
“Wedding Gatecrashers”
Betsy and Rachel wake up at Braddock Manor on the day of Mystique and Destiny's wedding. After facing alien forces and the Technet, they confront Saturnyne, who plotted to steal Betsy's invitation.

 

Rise of the Powers of X #5
“Now And Forever”
[Alternate] Jean Grey/Phoenix summons every mutant in the Omniverse to battle Enigma, including Betsy Braddock as Captain Britain (Krakoa), Psylocke (Outback), Hand Ninja (90s), Ultimate, and Age of Apocalypse versions.

 

JUNE

 

X-Men Unlimited Infinity Comic #142
“The X-Citing Conclusion!”
Captain Britain and X-Corps trap Selene and the Externals in stasis chambers. After the defeat of the Externals and Orchis, Betsy leaves X-Corps and reunites with Rachel.

 

Wolverine: Madripoor Knights #5
“Heroes--Rise Again!”
[Flashback] Psylocke and Jubilee return from their adventure with the Bacchae just in time to join Wolverine, Black Widow, and Captain America at a bar to celebrate their victory.

 

JULY

X-Force #1
“Where Monsters Dwell”
Captain Britain joins Forge, Sage, and Rachel in X-Force after initial reluctance. She aids Rachel with a psychic boost against biomass creatures and helps direct civilians to safety.

 

AUGUST

 

X-Force #2
“Igubu Lika-Anansi”
Captain Britain is transformed into a medieval version of herself by magic in Wakanda. She is brainwashed and ordered to capture Forge and Sage but is later freed when Sage breaks the spell.

 

SEPTEMBER

X-Force #3
“The Walking Man”
Captain Britain fights Nuklo in Phnom Penh, using a giant telekinetic sword to strike him. She later enters Nuklo’s mind with Rachel, uncovering his true, regressed mental state.

 

OCTOBER

X-Force #4
“Two Seconds Later”
Captain Britain leads X-Force through multiple dimensions, using her powers to open portals from the Temple of the Dragon's Breath to Otherworld and the Everglades. She coordinates their attack on Nuklo.

 

NOVEMBER

X-Force #5
“One Second Later”
Captain Britain helps negotiate with Tempest's Avengers and amplifies Rachel’s powers to impersonate the Phoenix. She also fights alongside the team to prevent Nuklo from destabilizing another dimensional nexus.

 

DECEMBER

X-Force #6
“The Devil Is a Liar”
Betsy and Rachel meditate together on the X-Jet, synchronizing their powers, while Forge is occupied with his virtual reality program. They are then both attacked by La Diabla, which traps them in a catatonic psychic trance.

Wednesday, January 1, 2025

X-Force #7 Art


New Year's Day is BETSY BRADDOCK DAY!