I’m not at SDCC, I’m one of those losers refreshing a Twitter feed like a mad man looking for new information about the Dawn Of X books. We already got the titles (thanks to some very dedicated fans yesterday) but now we know more!
Johnathan Hickman set the mood after fans cheered for him saying “I would’ve respected you more if you’d have boo’d the hell out of me”. And reveals were flying from panelists Hickman, CB Cebulski, Nick Lowe, and Jordan “Deleno” White. They started by talking about a bunch of comics that are probably going to very good, but they aren’t X-Men so we don’t care.
We are getting a page of Hickman and his SHIELD partner Dustin Weaver covering Apocalypse in the inaccuratley named comic MARVEL COMICS #1000. Hickman handpicked the creative teams on these new books, but is refusing to tell the story details. Anyway on to the main event.
X-Men
X-Men will be about the objectivley best family in comics. The Summers. Cyclops, Havok, Rachel, Corsair, Teen Cable, Jean Grey, and Vulcan join Wolverine for the flagship book of the line. Hickman is writing with Lenil Francis Yu on art and covers. The books is being called and “all-encompassing mutat title”. This squad was handpicked by Cyclops, which screams of neoptism.
Mauraders
No longer just Mister Sinister’s clone assassins, the new team of Mauraders are Kitty Pryde, Iceman, Bishop, Pyro, Storm, and Emma Frost. Gerry Duggan will write this with Matteo Lolli on art. They called it a traditional name and a new concept, claiming the pitch wouldn’t make sense if they shared it right now.
But they did.
And they are pirates.
The cover is by Russel Dauterman.
X-Force
What a team for X-Force! Jean Grey, Colossus, Wolverine, Sage, Domino, Beast, Kid Omega, and Black Tom Cassiady. Wolverine podcast writer Ben Percy is on this one with Joshua Cassara on art. Dustin Weaver has the cover for this one. They are described as the mutant CIA.
Excalibur
Excalibur will come to us from Tini Howard and Marcus To featuring a team of Psylocke (as the new Captain Britian), Jubilee, Rogue, Gambit, Rictor, and Apocalypse. Tini was once quoted about Rictor and Shatterstar saying “wait till I get my gay little hands on them”, so hopes are high. Cover by Mahmud Asar. This book with focus on a magical connection to Otherworld, which is so Tini’s jam.
New Mutants
Long time New Mutants fanboy Johnathan Hickman himself will write this book for the first arc before passing it to Ed Brisson with Rod Reis on art (and this cover). This mostly classic team consists of Magik, Sunspot, Chamber, Wolfsbane, Karma, Dani Moonstar, Cypher (with a Warlock arm), and the long forgotten Mondo. Eagle eyed readers will remember that most of this team was recently murdered, How they are back? We do not know, but Hickman says the stuff being done is the first arc will set things up that will matter for years. Plus, they are going to space and teaming up with the Starjammers, which sounds super.
Fallen Angels
Bill the Lobster owns your ass in 2019 and there is nothing you can do about it. Or he would if he was on the Fallen Angels (however some of us are holding out hope). On the squad are Kwannon, Teen Cable, and X-23. They will be brought to life by Bryan Edward Hill and Szymon Kudranski. Ashley Witter on covers.
If none of these books speak to you, a second wave of titles is already in process with Leah Williams, Vita Ayala, and more. It’s going to be a wild time.
Zachary Jenkins co-hosts the podcast Battle of the Atom and is the former editor-in-chief of ComicsXF. Shocking everyone, he has a full and vibrant life outside all this.
