Cullen Bunn Reveals Original 'Uncanny X-Men' Pitch, Cosmic Book with Captain Britain

Cullen Bunn: In 2015, I was asked to take over Uncanny X-Men. We all know that yielded the Magneto-led team. My first pitch, however, was a cosmic team with Rachel Summers in charge and a new Captain Britain. My pal Bri Hurtt even worked up a few concepts. Their ship was powered by the Siege Perilous. And they would have encountered alien mutants across the universe. And—of course—Magneto would’ve played a role. Why didn’t it happen? It almost did. Then one editor really pushed a case against anything cosmic. Or maybe it would’ve just been too awesome. Everyone liked it... save one person who convinced the rest, I guess.

Uncanny X-Men #19 Art

Uncanny X-Men #19 Spoilers

Spoilers: Psylocke infiltrates the War Room X, her former HQ in the Savage Land, seeking to deal with Magneto once and for all. Erik springs a trap and destroys the Room. Magneto tells Betsy he’s been expecting this confrontation from the very first moment he recruited her. Psylocke mind-controls a Tyrannosaurus Rex to attack Magneto, before hiding. Magneto wonders if Psylocke saw too much of herself in his ruthless and cold-bloodedness actions and feels somewhat remorseful about this final encounter. Betsy surprises Erik again and tells him his team is gone: a stabilized Mystique might still be a killer but knows she should stay away from Magneto; Sabretooth reverted to his old ways and Monet hasn’t been the same since her encounter with her brother, both gone; Xorn vanished after what happened in New Attilan, deeming himself too dangerous; Archangel was left in charge of the weaponized mutants, the so called sleepers; and no one knows what became of Fantomex after he went deep into The World. Betsy accuses Erik of wanting them to be X-Men, X-Force, the Hellfire Club and the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants at the same time. They both keep fighting until Erik destroys Betsy’s metal katana. Psylocke forges a telekinetic katana and stabs Magneto in a deadly way. Psylocke says that he will die a slow, painful death and that mutantkind will have a chance now with Erik out of the picture. After Betsy leaves Magneto to die alone, Elixir and Exodus both come to his rescue. Elixir heals Magneto anew. Erik declines their invitation to join them, and tells them he must remain “dead” for the sake of mutantkind, but no that dead… not yet.

Uncanny X-Men #19 Preview

Uncanny X-Men #19 Writer: Cullen Bunn Art by: Edgar Salazar Cover by: Ken Lashley The Story: • When she left the ranks of his X-Men team, PSYLOCKE promised that if MAGNETO stepped out of line, she would end him. • And now, in light of the events of INHUMANS VS. X-MEN, Psylocke is going to make good on that promise! In Stores: March 15, 2017

Uncanny X-Men #16 Spoilers & Art

Spoilers: The main cast of “Uncanny X-Men” all take the month off as the teen Jean Grey from “Extraordinary” makes a guest starring turn, along with the Stepford Cuckoos. The issue focuses on the Jean scene from “IvX” #1, focusing on Jean and the Cuckoos’ combined attempt to keep Karnak trapped in his own mind. Things have progressed from what we’ve seen before; Karnak is now running around in a mental prison set up by the telepaths to look like New Attilan. Psylocke doesn't appear in this issue, but is among the X-Men projected into Karkak's mind by the mutant telepaths.

Meanwhile, Fantomex struck a deal with one of Cuckoos, Irma, to allow him access to Karnak’s problem-solving skills. Irma would act as the bridge between Fantomex and Karnak, feeding altered analogues of the real problems Fantomex encounters in the World into Karnak’s vision. Then, as Karnak solves the similar problems in his trance, Fantomex knows what to do in the World. This side mission is of importance to Fantomex because he has been in control of the World for a while now, and members of the nefarious Someday Corporation infiltrated the World and stole parts of its tech. Fantomex uses Karnak’s abilities to make his way to where the Someday Corporation broke in. There, he finds the device they used to hack into the World’s systems — a slug-like device. He then places his psi-shielding plates back in his mask, locking Irma out of his mind. Panicked, Irma tells the others of her secret mission with Fantomex — and they aren’t too pleased. Fantomex continues on his quest, completely moving on from the matters of Inhumans and X-Men. “Let them have their war. I’m done with all that,” he says. Fantomex removed Someday’s influence from the World’s system — and filled the void with his own id, ego and super-ego. Calling it the “God-King Virus,” Fantomex prepares himself for a massive transformation — one that he says will render him unrecognizable. “I will become the world,” he says at the end of the issue, teasing a potentially major shift in who — and what — Fantomex is moving forward.

X-Solicits for March 2017

Inhumans Vs X-Men #6 (of 6)

• Charles Soule & Jeff Lemire (W)

• Leinil Francis Yu (A/C)

• Variant Cover by: Michael Cho

• Variant Cover by: Simone Bianchi

• Inhumans Variant Cover by: Ardian Syaf

• X-Men Variant Cover by: Terry Dodson

• The war between the Inhumans and the X-Men takes a dark turn leaving Inhumans hopelessly outmatched. Emma Frost, the White Queen, faces off against Medusa, queen of the Inhumans, as both fight for the future of their people. It all ends here. Don’t miss the epic oversized conclusion of INHUMANS VS X-MEN!

Uncanny X-Men #19

• Cullen Bunn (W)

• Edgar Salazar (A)

• Cover by: Ken Lashley

• When she left the ranks of his X-Men team, PSYLOCKE promised that if MAGNETO stepped out of line, she would end him. And now, in light of the events of INHUMANS VS. X-MEN, Psylocke is going to make good on that promise!

X-Men Prime #1

• Marc Guggenheim (W)

• Ken Lashley (A)

• Cover by: Ardian Syaf

• Variant Cover by: John Cassaday

• Venomized Variant Cover by: Kris Anka

• Connecting Variant Cover by: Elizabeth Torque

• Variant Cover by: TBA

• Resurrxion Begins Here!

• In the wake of their war with the Inhumans, the X-MEN are at a crossroads. Where do they go from here? Luckily, one beloved X-Men has the answer to that question: Xavier’s dream comes full circle as KITTY PRYDE returns to the X-Men, ready to lead them in their mission to protect a world that hates and fears them. The next chapter of the X-Men’s saga starts here!

X-Solicits for February 2017

Inhumans Vs X-Men #4 (of 6)

Writer: Charles Soule & Jeff Lemire

Art by: Javier Garrón

Cover by: Leinil Francis Yu

Variant Cover by: Michael Cho

Variant Cover by: Ryan Sook

Inhumans Variant Cover by: Ardian Syaf

X-Men Variant Cover by: Terry Dodson

Corner Box Variant Cover by: Joe Jusko

• The young Inhumans devise a crazy plan to infiltrate Muir Island…The only thing standing in their way: the master of magnetism himself, MAGNETO.

• Meanwhile, Medusa and the other royals mount a desperate effort to escape from the mutants’ prison in Limbo...

• ...and an X-Man changes sides

Inhumans Vs X-Men #5 (of 6)

Writer: Charles Soule & Jeff Lemire

Art by: Javier Garrón

Cover by: Leinil Francis Yu

Variant Cover by: Michael Cho

Variant Cover by: Gabrielle Dell’otto

Inhumans Variant Cover by: Terry Dodson

X-Men Variant Cover by: Ardian Syaf

• It’s Karnak vs. Fantomex in the world, as Medusa and her team attempt to liberate their secret weapon — Black Bolt.

• Storms are brewing as the X-Men make their move on the remaining Terrigen Cloud — will they be able to destroy it before it ends their entire species?

Uncanny X-Men #18

Writer: Cullen Bunn

Art by: Edgar Salazar

Cover by: Ken Lashley

IvX Variant Cover by: Juan Doe

An Inhumans Vs. X-Men Tie-In!

• Occupy New Attilan!

• With the mutant invasion of the Inhuman capital city now complete, MAGNETO seeks to lock it down by deploying his newly-acquired army of mutant sleepers.

• But will he take his mission a step too far?

X-Position: Bunn Teases IvX’s Impact On Uncanny X-Men

CBR: This week in X-POSITION, “Uncanny X-Men,” “Deadpool and the Mercs For Money” and “Deadpool: Back in Black” writer Cullen Bunn joins us and answers all of your questions about everything from Archangel’s future to what ResurrXion has in store for his “Uncanny” run.

First, thank you for showing Psylocke much needed love and attention. My question: given that Psylocke initially joined Magneto’s X-Men because she believed in the cause, and — more importantly — Archangel. Now that she’s left the team, what will happen to their relationship? Will Archangel return to field duty?

Bunn: For now, Psylocke and Archangel are on two very different paths. Archangel is going to return to active duty. You’ll be seeing a big Archangel issue coming up that will give him a new focus and goal. As for Psylocke, in many ways, she still believes in Magneto’s cause. She just can’t bring herself to be in the same room with the man.

Regarding “IvX” issues of “Uncanny,” how will they read? In terms of, will they be more “IvX,” more “Uncanny X-Men” or a true middle ground? As a big fan of what’s come before and what (hopefully) lies ahead in this series, the idea of “IvX” having a disrupting effect has me quite anxious.

Bunn: I hope the “IvX” issues will occupy a true middle ground. Yes, the events of “IvX” play a huge role in the issues, but I’m using each issue to highlight, elevate, and resolve some of the stuff I’ve been building up to all along. These are not issues that must be read to follow the main event, although I feel like they add some interesting depth to the main series. Likewise, I think you could follow these books (for the most part) without reading “IvX.” The next few issues focus on Fantomex, Sabretooth and Monet, Xorn and Archangel, and Magneto and Psylocke respectively.

Will the Uncanny X-Men remain whole leading into ResurrXion? Will we see a shift in the roster, or worse yet, a complete disband of the team?

Bunn: Sadly, I can say nothing about this, Dylan. I can’t tell you if the book will continue, if the team will exist, or if I’ll be writing an X-book at all. I bet more information on this will be revealed soon.

Uncanny X-Men #15 Art

Uncanny X-Men #15 Spoiilers

Spoilers: In Maryland, Psylocke reminisces about quitting Magneto’s team while pursuing and putting down a band of Omega Sentinels by herself. It is revealed Betsy is following a list of targets endangering mutantkind. Next on her hit list is Sauron in Cambodia. Sauron is using his powers to enslave mutants and humans alike. Psylocke decides she’s beyond talking about the focused totality of her power, instead she just lets Sauron feel it and defeats him. Next location: Chinatown in San Francisco. Betsy thinks Magneto’s allies might be more dangerous than his enemies, and comes across a mutant hormone growth lab run by the Nasty Boys. Psylocke wonders if they’re working for Magneto, but after scanning them, she finds out she’s just being paranoid. She knocks down every Nasty Boy and destroy their labs. On her way out, Betsy is followed by a strange man who reveals himself to be Mystique in disguise. They engage in a fight, and Mystique says Magneto is somehow behind her following Psylocke. Betsy senses Mystique’s chaotic thoughts twisting her personality and determines Magneto only sent her to follow Betsy, but Raven decided to kill her. Psylocke chooses to help Mystique, stabilizing her id, ego and super-ego, making her whole and eliminating radical mood swings. Betsy explains Mystique is still the same person, only a little more in control and trustworthy. Mystique decides to leave and promises to kill Betsy next time, while Psylocke wonders if she just made her a more valuable asset to Magneto.

Uncanny X-Men #15 Preview

Uncanny X-men #15

Writer: Cullen Bunn

Art & Cover by: Greg Land

The Story:

Psylocke and Magneto don’t see eye to eye. Whereas Magneto is willing to do anything it takes to ensure the future of mutantkind, Psylocke believes there are some lines that shouldn’t be crossed. And when she stands in Magneto’s way, he may just decide that in the quest to safeguard his race, Psylocke is an acceptable sacrifice to make!

In Stores: November 9, 2016

X-Solicits for January 2017

IvX #2 (of 6)

Charles Soule & Jeff Lemire (W) • Leinil Francis Yu (A/C)

Variant Cover by Michael Cho

Variant Cover by Arthur Adams

Inhumans Variant Cover by Ardian Syaf

X-Men Variant Cover by Terry Dodson

• The Inhumans have failed to find a way to stop the deadly effect the Terrigen Cloud has on Mutantkind, so the X-Men have taken matters into their own hands.

• New Attilan is under attack!

• The Inhumans aren’t surrendering their home without a fight, but is there something larger a stake?

IvX #3 (of 6)

Charles Soule & Jeff Lemire (W) • Javier Garrón (A/C)

Cover by Leinil Francis Yu

Variant Cover by Michael Cho

Variant Cover by John Cassaday

Inhumans Variant Cover by Terry Dodson

X-Men Variant Cover by Ardian Syaf

• New Attilan is conquered. Medusa and her generals are being held prisoner as the X-Men prepare to cleanse the world of the Terrigen Cloud.

• Could this be the end of Inhuman progeny?

• Now, the only hope for the Inhuman legacy rests in the hands of an unlikely crew of young Inhumans.

Uncanny X-Men #17

Cullen Bunn (W) • Ken Lashley (A/C)

Variant Cover by TBA

Inhumans vs. X-Men Tie-in!

• The X-MEN have waged war on the INHUMANS!

• But as the X-Men fight for their future, one X-Man fights for her humanity.

• Driven mad by the influence of her vampiric brother, M desperately tries to stop herself from feeding on the marrow of her enemies…and her friends!

• Will she succeed? Or will she add to the body count?

Uncanny X-Men #14 Art

Uncanny X-Men #14 Spoilers

Spoilers: At the Hellfire Club, Psylocke scans the sleeper’s mind and detects an attack on an anti-mutant rally in Washington is imminent, however Betsy refuses to find out the mastermind behind the attack as to not kill the sleeper. Monet steps in and states she will do what it takes to accomplish her mission, managing to discover Exodus is behind it all. Betsy and Erik confront each other again, and Psylocke takes off with the X-Men to stop the attack. Magneto heads to Someday Corporation to meet Exodus. Erik demands him to release the sleepers, but Exodus is adamant he’s only following on Magneto’s steps and on behalf of mutantkind. Exodus explains he turned the sleepers into weapons on mutants’ side, which upsets Magneto as he has never forced anyone to fight his fight. After a brief struggle, Magneto knocks out Exodus, severing his control over the sleepers, which make them stop the attack in Washington. Back at the Hellfire Club, Psylocke cut ties with Magneto and leaves the team. The X-Men send the sleepers to Tibet to be watched over by Xorn. Xorn laments Betsy has left as she was a good influence on Magneto. Erik remembers Betsy telling him she’s not going far as she will be keeping an eye on him as an avenging angel.

Uncanny X-Men #14 Preview

Uncanny X-Men #14

Writer: Cullen Bunn

Art & Cover by: Greg Land

The Story:

• Magneto and his team of X-Men discover who’s been weaponizing mutants and aiming them at mutantkind’s enemies.

• But once they do, the question becomes: Will they stop their longtime adversary once more…or JOIN HIM??

In Stores: October 5, 2016

Uncanny X-Men #13 Art

Uncanny X-Men #13 Spoilers

Spoilers: The X-Men and Hellfire Club faces off against a crowd of angry, manipulated mutants. But just as the crowd of aggressors overwhelms the X-Men, the attack pauses. The Someday mutants are in contact with a mysterious telepath who instructs them to halt and then teleports them all away. The X-Men return to the Hellfire Club’s mansion, where Psylocke reveals that she felt a psychic presence “buzzing” all around them during battle: she knows someone is pulling the Someday mutants’ strings. And it’s not the corporation, either; an investigation of the research facility revealed Someday employees violently stuffed in stasis chambers and forced asleep via psychic means. Magneto’s shape-shifting agent Mystique stowed away with the Someday mutants disguised as one of their own, and her reconnaissance led her to stumble upon the man that liberated the weaponized mutants from Someday’s clutches: Exodus.

X-Solicits for December 2016

	IVX #1 (of 6) Writers: Charles Soule & Jeff Lemire Art & Cover by: Leinil Francis Yu Action Figure Variant Cover By: John Tyler Christopher Black Panther 50th Anniversary Cover By: Mike Del Mundo Variant Cover By: Michael Cho Variant Cover By: Kenneth Rocafort Deadpool Party Variant By: Chip Zdarsky Deadpool Party Sketch Variant By: Chip Zdarsky Hip-Hop Variant By: Wilfred Santiago Inhumans Variant By: Terry Dodson Premiere Variant By: Leinil Francis Yu X-Men Variant By: Ardian Syaf Blank Cover Variant Also Available • THIS IS IT! • The X-Men and Inhumans have been on a collision course since the link was proven between the Inhumans’ precious Terrigen Mist and the sickness and death of many mutants. When Beast discovers that the mutants have only two weeks before the planet is uninhabitable for them, an Inhuman/mutant war is unavoidable. Co-written by Charles Soule (Uncanny Inhumans, Daredevil) and Jeff Lemire (Extraordinary X-Men, Moon Knight), IVX delivers sensational set pieces, gargantuan grudge matches, all drawn by the sensational Leinil Francis Yu! Whether you’re for the X-MEN or the INHUMANS, IVX promises to shatter the Marvel Universe as you know it!
	Extraordinary X-Men #17 Writer: Jeff Lemire Art by: Eric Koda Cover By: David Yardin Variant Cover By: Tba • Inhumans Vs. X-Men Tie-In! • The X-Men have just learned that the Terrigen Mist—the source of the Inhumans’ powers that through a cruel twist of fate is lethal to Mutants—has reached an irreversible saturation point, rendering Earth uninhabitable to their kind. • And now they see no other option than to strike against the Inhumans to ensure their own survival. • But one X-Man doesn’t take the decision lightly. • STORM has literally led the X-Men through hell and back, but will she lead them against their longtime friends and allies?
	Uncanny X-Men #16 Writer: Cullen Bunn Art by: Edgar Salazar Cover By: Ken Lashley Variant Cover By: Tba • Inhumans Vs. X-Men Tie-In! • Since the discovery that the Terrigen Mists—the key to unlocking an Inhuman’s hidden potential and powers—are LETHAL to mutants, the X-MEN and INHUMANS have been locked in a cold war. • But as the Terrigen seeps into the Earth and reaches an irreversible tipping point, the X-Men are spurred into action to ensure the future of their species! • And for Jean Grey and Fantomex, this means taking out of commission the Inhumans’ deadliest weapon: Karnak!
	X-Men ‘92 #10 Writers: Chris Sims & Chad Bowers Art by: Alti Firmansyah & Cory Hamscher Cover By: David Nakayama • It’s an X-traordinary final issue! • How will our favorite X-Men survive their biggest threat yet – Apocalypse? • And will Scott Summers and Jean Grey make it back from the year 2099? • This is one giant-size finale you don’t want to miss out on!

Uncanny X-Men #13 Preview

Uncanny X-Men #13

Writer: Cullen Bunn

Art & Cover by: Greg Land

The Story:

The X-Men join THE HELLFIRE CLUB?! To investigate a string of violent attacks perpetrated by mutants, the Uncanny X-Men ally themselves with their (former?) foes. But what they’re about to uncover may be too much for even their combined might to handle…

In Stores: September 21, 2016