X-Men Monday #350 – Jed MacKay and Tom Brevoort Talk ‘Jean Grey’, ‘DNX’, and More

AIPT!: In the milestone 350th edition of X-Men Monday, AIPT welcomed Jed MacKay and Tom Brevoort to discuss Jean Grey’s return to the X-Men, the upcoming DNX event, her new limited series, and what readers can expect from the post-DNX era.

AIPT: Tom, Jed has said DNX will “transform the X-Men dramatically.” As far as events go, DNX seems pretty small and manageable—mostly impacting X-Men and Fantastic Four. But beyond those two series, should X-Fans expect any ramifications for the wider X-Line, just as “Shadows of Tomorrow” served as a launchpad for new titles and storylines?

Tom Brevoort: As you say, the intention with DNX was to keep things tight. It’s still an impactful saga, but one of the takeaways from Age of Revelation was the feeling among fans that it asked too much of people who maybe wanted to follow all of it. So in general, not just in the X-Line but throughout Marvel, we’ve been concentrating events around a smaller group of titles. Queen in Black and the upcoming Hulk War are both like that as well—grand-scale, Marvel Universe-shattering events that you’d come to expect, but playing out across fewer books.

And in terms of after-effects, you already know about one thing that’ll be coming straight out of it: Jean Grey. And it’ll have an impact on the launch of Maximum X-Men as well, though not to the point where you’ll have to read one to follow the other. The effects will also ripple out to some degree across the other books. But the biggest place it will hit is in Alaska and in Jed’s slice of the pie, where it will be relatively seismic.

AIPT: Very soon, Shatterstar, Rictor, Betsy Braddock, and Jean Grey—characters X-Fans have asked about in past X-Men Monday editions—all return to the pages of X-Men comics. First, I hope this means you get a lot fewer intense emails from X-Fans. And second, can X-Fans expect more characters who have been off the board for a while to reappear in the months ahead?

Tom Brevoort: Ha! There’s never going to be fewer intense emails from X-Fans because every single character in the franchise has dedicated hardcore fans who want to see more of them. We’d need an infinite number of titles to get to a point where that wouldn’t happen.

But in general, we’re trying to keep any number of characters in play while still having the room to service the ones who are already in active use. Sometimes that means sprinkling in a few obscure faces into places like X-Men United. But the casts of our ongoing team titles are all pretty huge already, so finding time and space for players that aren’t already actively in them can present a challenge.

As it is, I feel like we haven’t done enough with, say, Temper over in X-Men, and I worry about losing the Exceptional X-Men kids in X-Men United a bit, and poor Shogo still hasn’t reunited with Jubilee. But that’s the storytelling struggle.

X-Men Monday #325 – Tom Brevoort Talks Betsy Braddock's Complicated Status

AIPT!: This week’s X-Men Monday returns in a big way, welcoming Marvel’s own X-architect, Tom Brevoort, for a wide-ranging conversation on the past, present, and future of the X-Men.

AIPT: Betsy Braddock will turn 50 in 2026. While the Psylocke: Ninja flashback miniseries is appreciated, her absence from the Shadows of Tomorrow teaser is concerning. Will Betsy eventually have a place in present-day stories?

Tom: Betsy turns 50 along with Captain Britain, so we’ll definitely be doing something for Captain Britain’s 50th, and Betsy will definitely be a part of that. Beyond that, it’s kind of wait and see.

I like Betsy Braddock. But Betsy Braddock is hard and kind of a messy situation.

Everybody was well-intentioned throughout all of her storytelling, but that whole thing is a mess. And in coming to the table where it was set when I got here, I made what, to me, felt like the only choice I could make at that point, which is, Kwannon is Psylocke, that’s the state of play. That’s what we’re going to commit to. Psylocke is Kwannon, and she’s in X-Men. Betsy is Captain Britain, she’s with Rachel Summers, and she’ll be in X-Force. 

And X-Force ran its course, but it’s not as simple as just putting Betsy in the other book, or the name is really hers, and the Psylocke history is really hers. It kind of is, but 30, 40, 50 years later, here’s where we are now. 

And the other problem is, even among the Betsy fans, when you actually listen to what they say, they’re all over the road, too. We want her back, but we want her back in this iteration, and we want her back, but not like this. So even they’re trying to figure out what’s the right thing for the character and the story. What’s the story that somebody walks into my office, shows up in my email, or calls me on the phone and pitches me about Betsy Braddock that makes me go, “That’s a great story. I want to see that. I want to make that.” There’s no point in just bringing her back into a book if she’s going to be furniture.

So it’s kind of all of that, which again, is cold comfort and no comfort to people who love that character or any of the characters that haven’t gotten as much spotlight as we’d like. Over the churn of history, every character gets their day or gets their moment. So it’s not that there isn’t a genuine effort, it’s just that the genuine effort isn’t necessarily dedicated to just that one character, but to all the characters that people like or have ideas with.

Betsy Braddock Fans, Make Your Voices Heard on X-Men Monday

MERRY CHRISTMAS

In 2026, X-Men Monday returns with Senior X-Men Editor Tom Brevoort answering fan questions about the conclusion of X-Men: Age of Revelation and the launch of the new Shadows of Tomorrow era. Fans can already submit questions using the form linked in X-Men Monday #324 on AIPT. CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT QUESTIONS.

This is an important moment for Betsy Braddock fans. Not only was Betsy absent from the Age of Revelation, she is also absent from the Shadows of Tomorrow teaser, and with a line-wide relaunch ahead, X-Men Monday is one of the few chances fans have to ask directly whether there are plans for her in the new era. It’s also the right place to ask about the flashback miniseries Psylocke: Ninja and what it means for her future.

2026 also marks 50 years of Betsy Braddock, making this the perfect time to ask whether Marvel has plans to acknowledge her legacy. If you care about Betsy’s place in Shadows of Tomorrow, now is the moment to speak up and submit your questions.

Push for Betsy Braddock in the X-Men Relaunch! 💜

Marvel’s next era of the X-Men, Shadows of Tomorrow, launches in January. Creative teams and lineups are being decided right now. If fans want Betsy Braddock in the relaunch, this is the moment to speak up.

Senior editor Tom Brevoort recently said:

“Not a day goes by that I don’t get a couple of emails and see a couple of things on social media where people are laying out that they want more Betsy Braddock. The only issue is that everyone wants her in a different way. We’re not ready right this second, but we’re getting to it.”

That’s not a reason to sideline her. If fan disagreements were a problem, most characters would’ve never seen the light of day. Whether as Psylocke or Captain Britain, what we want is a well-written Betsy Braddock. Let them know she deserves a stable, ongoing role in a core X-Men book

📬 EMAIL THE X-OFFICE NOW

Let them know you want Betsy Braddock in the Shadows of Tomorrow era:

➡️ officex@marvel.com

💜 Include fanart, ideas, or just a short, clear message.

🔁 REPOST THIS

Now’s the time. Be loud. Be visible. Betsy deserves better. 💜

Rally Time: Ask Marvel About Betsy Braddock in X-Men Monday! 💜

As Age of Revelation looms, X-Men Monday is taking fan questions — and Marvel’s own Tom Brevoort will be answering! If you’re wondering where Betsy Braddock fits into this new era (or if she’s even in it), now’s the perfect time to speak up. Her absence in current announcements hasn’t gone unnoticed by fans.

We encourage everyone to politely submit a question asking about Betsy’s whereabouts and future. Be respectful — no creator-bashing or comparisons — just sincere interest.

Let Marvel know her fans are still here and still care. You can submit questions via the official X-Men Monday form until Wednesday, September 3 @ Noon ET.

Form: Click here to submit your questions! 💜

Brevoort Teases Betsy Braddock’s Return at SDCC; Thorne's Pitch Officially Dead

Earlier today at San Diego Comic-Con, Marvel officially unveiled Age of Revelation — the next major X-Men era set ten years in the future, where Doug Ramsey has inherited Apocalypse’s legacy and reshaped the world under a dark vision of mutant supremacy.

While 16 new titles were announced for this bold new timeline, Betsy Braddock was notably absent from all covers, teasers, and solicitations released so far. For fans of Betsy, it was a disappointing silence — until one key moment.

LZ, co-host of the podcast Another Relaunch, asked Tom Brevoort directly about Betsy Braddock during the panel, and shared the following on social media:

I asked about Polaris and they said she’s coming in Sinister Six!! Brevoort then says he wants to tell a story for Magneto and Polaris together because it hasn’t been done enough!! 🙌🏾. I asked about Betsy too and they said they had a talk about her next move on the way here! https://t.co/h9XJVwOfNy

— LZ (@UncannyLZ) July 24, 2025

LZ further clatified: "He said he gets asked A LOT about Betsy and that they were talking about a pitch on their way to the convention that they’ll probably end up doing for her. He wouldn’t say what it was."

It’s not a confirmation — but it’s the most hopeful sign yet that Betsy is on Marvel’s radar, and that something new might be in the works.

In the meantime, in less encouraging news, X-Force writer Geoffrey Thorne confirmed on the CBR Forums that his own pitch for a Betsy book has been rejected. He wrote:

"The Betsy pitch is officially dead. I was going to wait on telling you guys but I thought that would be kind of cruel. I found out yesterday. Sorry folks. And, no, I have no idea what, if any plans Marvel has for her. At some point in the next few months I'll put up a MY TAKE post on the Patreon. Go have a look at my IRON FIST take to see how it might look. Sorry, guys."

We’ll be watching very closely. Keep emailing the X-Office at officex@marvel.com 🦋

X-Men Monday #300 – Tom Brevoort on Betsy Braddock

To celebrate the 300th edition of X-Men Monday at AIPT, Senior X-Men Editor Tom Brevoort gave an in-depth interview touching on the future of the X-line — including key insights about Betsy Braddock following the end of X-Force. He acknowledged the passionate fanbase around her, the challenges of defining her current direction, and the reality of sales-driven decisions at Marvel.

As readers, it's more important than ever to keep emailing officex@marvel.com to demand a new book for Betsy and to show continued support for the character.

AIPT: Betsy Braddock in every book. That’s the answer [to make 80% of X-Men fans all happy in the same way].

Tom: If only. And not to poke it, but that very vocal segment of fandom was writing in before the last X-Force issue even came out, going, “When is she going to be in another book?” It’s like, she’s in a book right now, guys. It was a book that you guys liked, and a lot of other people didn’t pay attention to. So now it’s going to go away, and maybe there’ll be another chance. So you’re certainly showing me that there are a number of people who like that character or like this iteration of that character.

Although even within that, there’s a span of people who want her to be Psylocke again, there are people who want her to stay as Captain Britain, and there are people who want her to be some other new thing that’s neither of the two, but that speaks to her background. So right there, it’s sort of a multiple-choice question — which is the way to go? And the answer is: The best idea wins.

AIPT: So, my next question is actually inspired by Betsy’s fanbase. Obviously, you want to create comics that readers enjoy — but they also have to sell. So, what is the most effective and constructive way for X-Fans to express demand for a character?

Tom: Well, certainly showing up when those characters appear and/or when those characters appear in stories that are to people’s liking. Just because somebody likes Betsy Braddock doesn’t mean they’re going to love every Betsy Braddock story that gets done. It’s the monkey’s paw of being a comic book fan that people will be dying to have a favorite character show up again, and then they will, and it’ll be in some story or some usage they just don’t like at all. That’s a very familiar story.

But in addition to being vocal about it and bombarding me — all of that never hurts — you can also get the word out to other people. Like you said, we are a business, and the thing that’s going to move the needle the most is actual sales. Actual paying customers coming to the book and showing there’s an audience there that will put their money where their mouth is. It’s a difficult thing for any one fan, but for groups, it is possible to move the needle.

Honestly, it happens very rarely, in my experience. The greatest example of that I’ve ever seen were the fans of Spider-Girl, the Tom DeFalco, Ron Frenz, and Pat Olliffe series. That was a series that seemed like it was teetering on the verge of cancellation every six months. And whenever that word would go out, you would see that hardcore fanbase mobilized effectively in terms of getting stores to increase their orders, or in terms of getting book buyers to be more interested in carrying collected editions.

Those fans were incredibly clever and effective at getting their message across. They weren’t just telling you what they want, but showed an actual understanding that moving the needle is the whole game. Because while there are fans of Spider-Girl and Betsy Braddock, there are fans of every other character. You can’t name a character that doesn’t have their fans. But the Spider-Girl fans are the gold standard in terms of that type of activism.

AIPT: Are there any updates you can share on where Betsy Braddock — and Rachel Summers — might land following X-Force?

Tom: Right now, X-Force has run its course in its current iteration, and that means both Betsy and Rachel are sort of back to being active X-Men characters that could show up anywhere. Is there a specific plan yet? Not one that I’m ready to say anything about. 

We’ll see a couple of hints of Rachel in a few places. I read a script just this morning that had some Rachel activity in it. But I can’t direct you to a specific point where those fans will get exactly what they want. I don’t know that all of those fans can have exactly what they want, because like I said, it’s a span. But again, for all the Betsy and Rachel fans, there are all the fans of all the characters that weren’t in any of the initial launch books, who are also waiting their turn for their favorites to show up again. It’s like a line for resurrection.

AIPT: Before we move on from Betsy, as a follow-up, based on what you’ve read online and in fan mail, what are your biggest takeaways on why Betsy Braddock is so appealing to her fans?

Tom: That’s a fairly good question, and I’m not sure I could point to one specific thing. Certainly, she’s got history. She’s a character who has been around since the ‘70s in a variety of different iterations. I think people have definitely keyed into her as the champion of Avalon. I think people seem to be really invested in her relationship with Rachel, more so than I might’ve anticipated before getting into this. But I don’t know that there’s any one specific thing that I could point to yet.

And all the readers of X-Men Monday can now bombard me with the obvious thing that I’m not thinking of. And that’s fine. They should definitely do that — I have plenty to learn.

AIPT: Tom, is there anything else you’d like to share or tease?

Tom: I guess the only thing I could tease is it’ll be a big end of year, for good or ill. I’m hoping for good, but you can never predict these things ahead of time. But a big end of 2025 for the X-Men and the line in general.

AIPT: And the X-Men will never be the same again?

Tom: I don’t know about that, but it will certainly be catastrophic and earth-changing. And nobody will miss that it’s going on.

AIPT: And maybe we’ll see Betsy there.

Tom: Maybe. Maybe.

Tom Brevoort Comments on Betsy Braddock's Current Status

In a recent response on his Substack, Senior Editor Tom Brevoort acknowledged fan support for Betsy Braddock and the enthusiasm surrounding her portrayal in X-Force, but expressed uncertainty about her long-term direction as Captain Britain. He stated:

Tom Brevoort: “The outpouring of support for Betsy Braddock has been nice to see. But that said, it wasn’t enough to keep X-FORCE going at the level that it would have needed to in order to succeed, so while there are plenty of vocal fans of her treatment in that book, there weren’t enough of them to keep it going. In terms of Betsy’s role as Captain Britain, I’m not convinced that that’s the best role for her long-term, but for the moment that’s where she stands.”

X-Men Monday #300: Rally for Betsy Braddock

 

It’s time to rally! X-Men Monday is celebrating its 300th edition with Tom Brevoort as guest of honor, and they’re accepting fan questions — including anything about the future of the X-Men. Let’s make sure Betsy Braddock isn’t left out of the conversation. With X-Force gone, there’s been a Betsy-sized silence in the line, and we need to speak up. Submit your question by Sunday, June 8 at 5 PM ET using the official form and ask about what’s next for Betsy — her fans are watching, waiting, and ready for her return. 💜 #RallyForBetsy

Click here: AIPT! FORM and submit your questions!

Marvel’s Hellfire Gala Continues, Geoffrey Thorne & Marcus To Also Involved

AIPT!: Marvel Comics has revealed today that Krakoa may be no more, but the Hellfire Gala will live on in a new one-shot X-Men: Hellfire Gala Vigil #1. Releasing on July 2nd, the one-shot features writers Jed MacKay (X-Men), Gail Simone (Uncanny X-Men), Eve L. Ewing (Exceptional X-Men), Alex Paknadel (Sentinels, Astonishing X-Men), Collin Kelly and Jackson Lanzing (NYX), Geoffrey Thorne (X-Force), Jason Loo (Dazzler), Murewa Ayodele (Storm) and Stephanie Phillips (Phoenix). Artists include Javier Garrón, Netho Diaz, Sara Pichelli, Federica Mancin, Luciano Vecchio, Declan Shalvey, Roi Mercado and Marcus To.

“We’ve been working towards the Hellfire Vigil for a year now, and all of the assorted X-creators came together to make this a moment of significance for the X-Men and their world as a whole,” Executive Editor Tom Brevoort explained.

“If you’ve been wondering when somebody was going to encounter somebody else, the answer is right here in this book! It’s a capstone to events that began in From The Ashes and sets up major movements that will be playing out across the coming months. Plus it’s full-packed with great art and great character moments.”

The annual gathering will strike a different note this time around, with mutantkind gathering to reflect on the loss of the mutant nation Krakoa. As they look back on the past, they’ll reignite hope for the future, and readers can look forward to a night of joyous celebration, delicious drama, and, of course, super hero high fashion! Like previous Hellfire Galas, the glamourous party will be filled with reunions, returns, and revelations, all setting the stage for the next year of X-Men storytelling! Always one of the most talked about comics of the year, the Hellfire Gala is now a beloved staple of the X-Men mythos, even inspiring the new season of the hit video game Marvel Rivals, and fans won’t want to miss this bold new installment!

One year ago, at the final Hellfire Gala, the dream of a unified mutant nation was forever shattered by a cowardly sneak attack by anti-mutant forces. To mark the moment and to proclaim loudly and strongly to all concerned that mutantkind still stands, the time has come for X-Men of all stripes to come together in solidarity and celebration. Featuring the meetings and moments that fans have been asking for since FROM THE ASHES began, be there for a keystone moment marking the movement of one era into the next and setting up story threads that will play out across the X-line in the near future!

Betsy Braddock Fans: Our Voices Are Being Heard!

In a recent message on his Substack, X-Men Senior Editor Tom Brevoort acknowledged the passionate efforts of Betsy Braddock’s fanbase. He specifically mentioned the “conglomeration of Betsy Braddock fans who have been vocal about wanting her to show up in another series.” This recognition highlights how our collective voices are making an impact!

Brevoort pointed out that the current focus at Marvel is on characters that people are actively asking for, and he recognized the enthusiasm surrounding Betsy. This is a major win for us, as it shows that our emails, social media posts, and messages are being noticed.

But we can’t stop here! Let’s keep the momentum going. Continue sending your emails to officex@marvel.com expressing your support for Betsy Braddock and your desire to see her star in a new book. The more we show our support, the more likely Marvel will respond with exciting news for Betsy’s future. Keep up the great work, and let’s keep pushing to see Betsy back in action!

Not sure what to write? Just copy and paste the banner below and hope for the best! Let’s make sure Betsy’s journey doesn’t stop here!

Tom Brevoorts Comments on X-Force and Betsy Braddock

Why did you cancel X-Force? When will I see Betsy Braddock next?

Tom Brevoort over Substack: Got a bunch of comments along these lines this week, and I have to say that they make me chuckle just a little bit. I mean really, how do you think we feel? We didn’t want to cancel it—we put a lot of work into these books—we’re not ending them just to mess with you or to deprive you of the entertainment you so clearly seek! No, the only reason that we ever pull the plug on a series is that it isn’t being purchased in great enough numbers to be profitable in the way we need it to be. That isn’t the audience’s fault, but neither is it the creators’ fault nor the editors’ fault. You can do everything right and still not pull in enough of an audience—it’s a tough marketplace out there. Not everything is going to work, and especially work ad infinitum. But that doens’t mean that any of these books are a waste of time or effort. it simply means that, for whatever reason, this wasn’t the right moment for whatever the thing was. So you dust yourself off and try something else. As for Betsy, we’ll just have to see where she might turn up again in the future.

So you know the drill—keep sending emails to the X-Office at officex@marvel.com to request Betsy Braddock and show your support. If you’re not sure what to write, simply copy and paste the banner below and hope for the best!

E-mail the X-Office: Rally for Betsy Braddock and Show Your Support!

As we all know by now, Marvel’s X-Force, written by Geoffrey Thorne, will be concluding with issue #10 this coming April. While it’s always tough to say goodbye to a series, this cancellation presents an important opportunity for fans of Betsy Braddock, aka Captain Britain, to make their voices heard.

So, how can we show our support?

1. Email the X-Office:

It’s simple! Let Marvel know that we want more of Betsy Braddock. Please take a moment to send a polite and kind email to the X-Office at:

📧 officex@marvel.com

In your message, share your appreciation for Betsy’s character, express your desire to see her more in future comics, and ask about her role in upcoming storylines. The more personal and sincere, the better!

2. Join the Conversation on Tom Brevoort's Substack:

Tom Brevoort is the Senior Editor of the X-Office, and he’s an excellent resource for getting feedback to Marvel’s higher-ups. You can use the comments section on his Substack to express your support for Betsy and inquire about her future. You can find his Substack here:

🔗 Tom Brevoort's Substack

What to Avoid: Please be sure to keep your messages positive, respectful, and focused solely on Betsy. We want Marvel to know that Betsy’s fans are excited and passionate about her future. Here’s what to avoid:

• Don’t bring up other characters. This is not about comparing Betsy to others, but simply showing how much we love her and want to see more of her story.
• Avoid insulting or criticizing creators, past or present. This is about showing support for Betsy and keeping the tone constructive.
• Don't be aggressive or passive-aggressive. Remember, we’re sending a message of love for the character, so let’s keep the tone friendly and respectful.

Let’s unite and make our voices heard!

Geoffrey Thorne Teases Betsy Braddock’s Future in X-Force

Geoffrey Thorne responded to fans on the CBR forums who felt Betsy Braddock was being reduced to Rachel's girlfriend. He assured readers there’s more in store for Betsy in X-Force.

Geoffrey Thorne: Betsy is not—absolutely not—"about Rachel." Well, not only about Rachel. No more than Rachel is "about Betsy" exclusively. She loves Rachel, but both of them have their own things going on. Trust me, you think you want me to spell everything out right away, up front, but I promise, you don't want that. Some of you feel burned by the last few years of Betsy. I can't help that, and I can't "fix" it in one or two issues—certainly not in a team book. I have plans for Betsy. We'll see if Marvel lets them happen. But even if they don't, in X-Force, she WILL get her due. Things are brewing in EVERYBODY'S camp. Wait until next issue.

In the meantime, Senior Editor Tom Brevoort confirmed that X-Force #10, being the 300th issue in legacy numbering, will be a larger-than-normal anniversary issue.

Tom Brevoort Talks Betsy Braddock

Tom Brevoort: I think this [the Betsy Braddock/Kwannon situation] is a situation analogous to the Jean Grey one from a while back. By which I mean that there is a lot of frankly confusing backstory to Kwannon and Betsy Braddock, to the point where they’re literally difficult to describe to people. But rather than try to “fix” any of that stuff or retcon it or whatever (which is very much what got us to this point), I think the only thing to do from here is to go forward. And that means further defining who Kwannon is as Psylocke and who Betsy is as Captain Britain (or whatever she might become in days to come).

Homo Superior Podcast: Creator Crush - Tom Brevoort Talks X-Books

How would you describe X-Force?

Tom Brevoort: X-Force, in terms of description, is probably closest to Warren Ellis' Planetary. On the surface, it looks like a typical X-Force team, traditionally defined as the X-Men's kill squad. I'm kind of of the belief that the X-Men shouldn't have a kill squad, you know, for all that, our good guys go to Wolverine and say, "Hey, we need you to get a bunch of guys to, like, kill a bunch of people so our hands are clean and we could pretend to be moral while knowing about it and sanctioning it." That doesn't make any sense to me. Anyway, X-Force is centered around Forge. Forge has had a vision, and it's caused him to build something. The thing he's built predicts fracture points, moments and places in the world where a crisis is going to occur if something isn't done. Forge has assembled X-Force as the machine to deal with those crises. So the membership, who's in it, what they do, how they do it, is all built almost on an unconscious level because it's an outgrowth of Forge's maker power to put together the right elements to deal with the situation.

We'll also, fairly routinely in that book, have extra characters as guest stars and hangers-on in the way that Deadpool is in the first issue. But, you know, there's a larger thing going on. In that "Planetary" sense, not only are Forge and the X-Force characters getting involved in all these weird happenings around the world, but they begin to suss out the pattern behind them Da Vinci Code style. There's something bigger brewing behind all of that that we will slowly peel the onion layers back from and get to. But it's, you know, like, literally, they don't have headquarters. Their headquarters is a self-repairing Blackbird that they fly around on. They don't do wheels down unless something's going on. They're just on the go constantly.

X-Men Monday #250 – ‘From the Ashes’ Era Preview With Tom Brevoort

AiPT!: Marvel’s Senior Vice President of Publishing and Executive Editor Tom Brevoort was game to return to X-Men Monday and discuss how the “From the Ashes” era came together, answer X-Fans’ pressing questions, drop some character teases, and more.

AIPT: Welcome back to X-Men Monday, Tom! First, X-Men is a franchise with over 60 years of history, hundreds of characters, and a passionate fanbase transcending comics. So I’m curious — once you accepted the reins of the X-Men at Marvel… what did you do next? Where do you even start?

Brevoort: [...] Then I went hunting for people to make these books. And casting wasn’t me alone — I should mention my office team: Annalise Bissa and Martin Biro, who worked with me on Avengers stuff before this. And Annalise goes back to working on the Krakoa books at the beginning of that era. Then the wider team is editor Darren Shan and his assistant Noah Sharma, who came over with me from the Avengers world where they had been doing Invincible Iron Man, Doctor Strange, and a bunch of things. And then Mark Basso and his assistant Drew Baumgartner stayed on in the X-Office where they had been doing Wolverine and X-Force and are now doing Wolverine and X-Force.

AIPT: Before we get into some X-Fan questions, I’ve been wondering about something. I’ve been an X-Fan for most of my life, and five of those years have been spent writing X-Men Monday and sorting through countless fan questions. In that time, I’ve received a crash course in the many things that matter to this fandom — from the minuscule to the significant. So, since you’ve been working on the X-line, is there anything you’ve learned via X-Fan interactions that’s surprised you?

Brevoort: [...] I saw there were a lot of people who were really invested in Betsy Braddock being Captain Britain, and there were a lot of people who were really invested in Betsy Braddock not being Captain Britain. So that’s a divide where it’s going to be difficult to make everybody happy.

Tom Brevoort Q&A "From the Ashes"

Senior Editor Tom Brevoort recently held a Q&A on his Substack, offering hints about the upcoming "From the Ashes" X-Men line.

When can we expect more information on X-Force, X-Factor, Phoenix, Storm, Wolverine, and NYX?

Brevoort: We haven’t yet said anything about those other books, in large part because all of this is still a number of months off, and I don’t think it would be square to pull attention so sharply from the end of the Krakoa era that’s playing out now. But as time goes on, you’ll begin to get more and more of the information you’re after. And the first thing that you’ll actually be able to see and read will be the story in this year’s Free Comic Book Day release, which’ll be in stores the first Saturday in May. So just over a month away now.

Does your Office have something in mind to avoid alieniating those who fell in love with the Krakoan era?

Brevoort: We’re going to do a bunch of good comics. That’s the only way to attract and enthrall any readers, new or established. We’re going to make you want to read them by making you want to read them.

You mentioned before you might ship more than 12 issues a month of some of the new X-books - is that still in the cards? And if so, are you looking to do it regularly or more on an ad-hoc basis?

Brevoort: It is, yes. Before the editorial switch-over, Jordan White had been planning to have the two main X-MEN books ship 18 issues a year, and that plan sounded wise to me, so we’ll be keeping it in place. X-MEN and UNCANNY will alternate in this regard, with two issues on sale every other month in rotation.

Prior to the SXSW 2024 "From the Ashes" reveals, "Women of Marvel" #1 unexpectedly confirmed that Rogue and Shadowcat would be leading new X-Men books each in the post-Krakoa era. Additionally, a recent Marvel.com article on variant covers confirmed a "From the Ashes" book featuring Betsy Braddock and Rachel Summers. To what extent are you involved in these pre-announcement revelations? Do you have to provide approval, or is it solely Marvel Marketing's decision?

Brevoort: I’m involved in all of those reveals, and I signed off on both of them, and provided editor Sarah Brunstad with some reference for the X-Men future images in WOMEN OF MARVEL #1. (But not Storm, we didn’t have her design finalized yet, and so I wound up telling her to just put her in some well-tailored suit. But that and her mohawk haircut seem to have wound some people up. Nothing to worry about, though, she’ll look different when you see her in the new books.) And there’s some other stuff that you might have heard about by now, except that it was all elements that I wasn’t ready to reveal yet, and so they were eliminated. While occasionally some wires will get crossed, in general we at Marvel prefer to function as a coordinated team.

From the Ashes: The Future of the X-Men Revealed (and Speculated)

Following the groundbreaking Krakoan Age, the X-Men are poised for their next phase in X-Men: From the Ashes! Debuting this summer, this new era promises to reshape Marvel's mutants. After the collapse of Krakoa, the X-Men are fractured and lack a central base of operation. As a result, three X-Men titles will become core series, each focusing on different aspects of the team’s identity.

In X-Men, led by Jed MacKay and Ryan Stegman, mutants regroup in Alaska post-Krakoa's fall. Cyclops, Magneto, Kwannon, Magik, Temper, Kid Omega, and Juggernaut confront new challenges while navigating the destiny and philosophy of mutantkind.

Uncanny X-Men, by Gail Simone and David Marquez, sees the team as outlaw heroes in New Orleans. Rogue, Gambit, Nightcrawler, Jubilee, and Wolverine defend a world that often rejects them, showcasing their unwavering dedication to justice.

Exceptional X-Men, by Eve L. Ewing and Carmen Carnero, spotlights educators Kate Pryde and Emma Frost. Returning to Chicago, Kate mentors young mutants Bronze, Axo, and Melee, offering a fresh perspective on mutantkind's future.

In the coming weeks, Marvel Comics will unveil new X-Men titles, including X-Force, X-Factor, NYX, Phoenix, Storm, and Wolverine. No updates have surfaced regarding Betsy Braddock's next steps in the X-Men universe, particularly with Excalibur missing from the upcoming titles. When questioned on Twitter/X about Betsy's status, Senior Editor Tom Brevoort cryptically replied, "All answers in good time." Let's delve into some speculation together.

Among the X-Men’s prominent telepaths, Jean Grey, Emma Frost, Kwannon, and Kid Omega have all found their places, while Monet is strongly hinted by Simone to join Uncanny X-Men. As a result, Betsy Braddock and Rachel Summers remain the only major telepaths without a designated title. Given that it's unlikely for Betsy to appear in the solo titles Phoenix, Storm, and Wolverine, this narrows down her potential options to just three remaining possibilities: X-Force, X-Factor, and NYX.

Mashup Art by Priscilla Petraites + Marcio Takara

X-Force: While Betsy Braddock has been a significant member of different X-Force iterations in the past, her current role as Captain Britain presents a potential obstacle. However, recent developments in the X-Men Unlimited Infinity storyline show Betsy severing ties with Great Britain and adopting an oppositional stance toward the nation. This shift in allegiance might lead her to reconsider joining a black ops team like X-Force, where she could operate from the shadows once more.

X-Factor: It’s an intriguing option for Betsy Braddock, as it's a team with which she has never had any previous connections. However, if Betsy can mend her relationship with the British government and regain their confidence and trust, she could potentially join a government-sanctioned X-Factor team. In this role, she might serve as a liaison between mutants and humans, working to improve relations in the aftermath of Orchis's anti-mutant propaganda.

NYX presents the least likely option for Betsy Braddock's next destination. Historically, NYX has focused on teenage mutants and their personal struggles, a realm where Betsy is not known to excel, particularly in terms of mentoring young mutants. Therefore, it seems improbable that she would find a suitable role within the context of this series.

In summary, while we've explored potential paths for Betsy Braddock's future in the X-Men universe, it's all speculation at this point. We can't say for sure if X-Force will be a black ops team or if X-Factor will be government-sponsored. Plus, Betsy might not join either book and could be saved for a later announcement. Share your thoughts on Betsy's next chapter in the comments below! What do you hope to see for this iconic mutant character?

When Two Tribes Go To War: "AvX" - The Telepathic Advantage?

CBR: In today's edition of WHEN TWO TRIBES GO TO WAR, CBR's in-depth look at "AvX," we take a look at the X-Men's seemingly telepathic advantage over the Avengers. What are the X-Men's telepaths capable of? What kind of strategic advantage do they give the X-Men leader, Cyclops? And how will the Avengers work around and fight back against the mental might of their adversaries? Helping us answer these questions and more are Senior Editor Nick Lowe who's in charge of the X-Titles, and Senior Vice President of Publishing and Executive Editor Tom Brevoort whose office oversees the Avengers titles.

CBR News: Nick and Tom, the X-Men have several powerful telepaths in their ranks including Emma Frost, Psylocke, Rachel Summers, and their founder, Charles Xavier. I can't really think of any Avengers with comparable psychic abilities, though. Am I missing any? And why is it that telepathy and its related powers seem to be associated with mutants and X-Men instead of Marvel heroes with other origins?

Tom Brevoort: The Avengers have had a few over the years, characters such as Moondragon -- but telepathy really hasn't been a regular part of their arsenal. As for the X-side, I think that comes from two interconnected things: Jean Grey and her status as not only a founding X-Man but as the lynchpin of probably the book's best-remembered storyline, and the fact that Chris Claremont was a heavy SF reader during a period where numerous authors were exploring the idea of telepathic and telekinetic powers and how they might plausibly work within a SF context. Chris adapted, adopted and improved on a number of those ideas as he wrote "Uncanny X-Men."

Nick Lowe: Let's read between the lines, here. It's because the X-Men are the best.

Telepathy in its most basic form is the power to send and receive thoughts, which is a useful communication tool with a number of strategic uses in battle. What kind of advantage does it give Cyclops and other characters in terms of communication and coordinating troop movements?

Lowe: It certainly doesn't hurt. Cap and the Avengers know going in that the X-Men have this advantage, so you've got to think they've got some defensive planning in place to keep Emma from just shutting their brains down. And the coordination helps, but you have to remember how training centered Cyclops is. You can't go more than an issue of X-Men back in the day without Cyclops drilling his team in the Danger Room and that hasn't changed. He's always training his crews and they operate like well oiled machines. No one does as much teamwork as the X-Men (heck they have well-known moves like the fastball special).

Telepathy also allows a person to reads the thoughts of others, which makes it a useful to gather intelligence. Of course, many mutants have a personal code that keeps them from reading the thoughts of others. How would a conflict like "AvX" affect that code? Are there some heroes that won't have qualms about reading the thoughts of Avengers once things heat up and get tough?

Brevoort: I think it depends entirely on the individual character. My expectation is that the Avengers and the X-Men both are going to comport themselves as heroes, no differently than they've ever done. That said; the stakes they're fighting for are so important that they will push our heroes to the wall in terms of what they will and will not do. And certainly some of the X-telepaths have used situational ethics to guide their actions in the past. Of course, keep in mind that Tony Stark has a lot of experience in building tech to protect himself from telepathic intrusions or attacks.

Lowe: Tom is right (yeesh that felt weird coming out of my mouth) about how the X-Men are going to behave. They're still heroes. And like I said before, Cap would have to be an idiot not to have something in place to defend his team from this on some level. And he's no idiot.

Powerful telepaths have another morally gray ability, the ability to erase and control minds. This begs the question, when things get tough will there be some X-Men tempted to use this ability? Or is this seen as a last ditch "nuclear option?"

Lowe: This would not be something Cyclops would be down with unless there were no other option and even then -- but, and sorry to repeat again, the Avengers need to have some sort of plan for this.

Brevoort: Again, I wouldn't think this would be an easily-used option if it were ever seriously considered at all. The X-Men haven't done this sort of thing even to their most ruthless foes, so I don't think they'd be inclined to do it to guys they know are heroes but whom they happen to be in contention with.

We've talked a bit about how effective an ability telepathy is in general, so let's switch gears a little bit and talk about how effective it is against the Avengers in particular. Are there any Avengers who have a natural immunity to telepathic and psionic powers?

Brevoort: Iron Man's armor has been proofed against telepathic attacks in the past. The Vision's android mind is such that it's anybody's guess whether a telepathic strike would do him any harm. A telepathic attack on the Red Hulk is likely to just make him angrier and more savage, so if it didn't immediately take him down it would likely make things worse. There are a few other examples, but they're mostly the exceptions -- for the most part the Avengers are no more protected from a telepathic assault than anyone else would be.

How aware are the Avengers in general of the strategic applications of telepathy? Can we assume that leaders like Captain America are aware of what telepaths can do and are ready and able to work around them?

Brevoort: I'd say it's a certainty -- especially since there are present and former X-Men among the Avengers' ranks, who would be likely to disclose that information even if Cap wasn't already aware of it.

Lowe: They definitely know it.

The X-Men may have an advantage in the area of mental powers, but the Avengers have three of the greatest scientific minds on the planet in Tony Stark, T'Challa, and Hank Pym. How easy would it be for these guys to whip up something that makes them and their team mates resistant to telepathic powers?

Brevoort: Given that we've seen Tony at least do this before in the past, I'd say it'd be relatively easy. Doesn't mean that it'll work, though, or be 100% proof against a determined X-Man digging down deep and fighting for a legitimate cause.

Lowe: It's not going to really matter in the end as the X-Men are far superior in every way.