From the Ashes has been about a lot of X-Men characters reverting to type, possibly as a coping mechanism after the fall of Krakoa. But many of them have gotten new uniforms in the relaunch, as new artists come aboard and seek to put their stamp on characters.
And then there’s Illyana Rasputin, Magik, who got a brand-spanking new gold costume as part of her most important Krakoa-era story, where she finally puts the trauma of Limbo behind her, but as soon as Krakoa’s over, guess what? She’s back in the Chris Bachalo-designed anime-girl costume with the giant Final Fantasy VII Buster Sword version of the Soulsword.
But that’s enough of Dan’s soapbox. You didn’t come here for that.
Marvel on Thursday announced an ongoing solo series for Illyana Rasputina, Magik, launching in January from writer Ashley Allen, who wrote her Blood Hunt one-shot this summer, and artist German Peralta, whose resume includes the Zac Thompson and Lonnie Nadler arc of Cable and the Age of X-Man mini Prisoner X.
This makes Magik the seventh X-woman to get a solo series during From the Ashes, after Phoenix, Dazzler, Storm, Mystique, Psylocke and Wolverine (Laura Kinney). And it makes Magik the 15th overall From the Ashes series.
First appearing as a child in 1975’s Giant-Size X-Men #1 by Len Wein and Dave Cockrum and being aged up into a teenage half-demon sorceress in 1983’s Magik miniseries by Chris Claremont and John Buscema, Illyana has become the most beloved Rasputin sibling, ahead of her mainstay X-Men brother Colossus and B-list villain brother Mikhail. She’s also the only member of the original New Mutants to currently be featured in a Marvel book.
Check out J. Scott Campbell’s A cover, Dike Ruan’s B cover and some Peralta character designs below, and keep scrolling for Marvel’s press release. Issue #1 is scheduled for release Jan. 8.
This January, mutant icon Magik headlines her first ongoing solo series! The X-Men’s resident sorcerer will unleash her Soulsword, spells, and dark side against mystical threats targeting the mutant community.
MAGIK will be written by rising star Ashley Allen, who wrote the character earlier this year in X-Men: Blood Hunt – Magik,and drawn by acclaimed artist Germán Peralta, known for his recent work on Black Panther and last year’s Loki series. From Colossus’ kid sister to New Mutant, Illyana Rasputina has climbed the ranks over the years to become the fiercest X-Man of them all, and her long overdue solo adventures will see her tap into her mystical expertise and unique mutant magic like never before.
THE MYSTIC MUTANT GOES DEMON HUNTING IN HER OWN SERIES! The X-Man Illyanna Rasputina strikes out on her own with new allies and dark powers arrayed against her. Something ancient has awakened beneath the Alaskan ice. Unfortunately for it, that’s Magik’s territory now!
Throughout the series, Magik will also be forced to come to terms with her tragic history and learn to control her demonic Darkchylde persona. After years of suppression, Illyana’s Darkchylde form returns from the depths of her tormented soul to offer her more strength and power, but at what cost?
“I’m beyond excited to be returning to write Illyana!” Allen said. “Supernatural stories featuring characters with hearts of gold are my favorite, so this series has been a dream to write! I can’t wait for readers to experience the adventure we take Magik on to slay some demons … and maybe accept some of her own.”
“I am very excited about this project,” Peralta shared. “Magik is a character with an incredible background, surrounded by darkness and mystery. Additionally, she is visually spectacular in all her versions, and I personally love Chris Bachalo’s design. I really enjoy drawing action scenes, as well as emotionally-driven scenes, and Ashley Allen writes a super intriguing script, where she balances both of these types of situations, making my job even more fun than it already is. I mean, what artist wouldn’t love to draw Magik with her great sword facing all kinds of demons?”
Check out J. Scott Campbell’s cover, Dike Ruan’s Foil Variant Cover, and Peralta’s new Darkchylde design. Preorder MAGIK #1 at your local comic shop today. For more information, visit Marvel.com.
Dan Grote is the editor-in-chief of ComicsXF, having won the site by ritual combat. By day, he’s a newspaper editor, and by night, he’s … also an editor. He co-hosts The ComicsXF Interview Podcast with Matt Lazorwitz. He lives in New Jersey with his wife, two kids and two miniature dachshunds, and his third, fictional son, Peter Winston Wisdom.
