Jeez, it hasn’t even been three months, and Cyclops is Schism-ing with someone already?
While one of the complaints of the early months of the X-Men’s From the Ashes era is how disconnected the many books feel from each other, both in tone and continuity, Marvel on Tuesday announced the line’s first mini crossover in “Raid on Graymalkin,” a four-parter launching in December between Jed MacKay and Ryan Stegman’s X-Men and Gail Simone and David Marquez’s Uncanny X-Men.
The story builds off a simmering disagreement between team leaders Cyclops and Rogue about how to handle the fact that their old house has been turned into a prison, and their former mentor its first prisoner. Yes, Charles Xavier’s patriarchy and shit decision making ultimately sped up the fall of Krakoa, but some of his former students apparently still have a soft spot for the condescending academic.
So sit back and watch eye lasers clash with exploding playing cards, psychic swords clang with adamantium claws and the Juggernaut pound through … I dunno, that horse they just introduced?
Check out Marvel’s press release and covers below.
The X-Men’s new era is fully underway, and starting this December, fans will experience an epic crossover between two of its three flagship titles in RAID ON GRAYMALKIN!
Left broken and scattered in the wake of Krakoa, the X-Men have since regrouped into distinct teams of their own. In Jed MacKay and Ryan Stegman’s X-MEN, Cyclops leads a squad of hardened mutant soldiers out of an abandoned Sentinel factory in Alaska. While in Gail Simone and David Marquez’s UNCANNY X-MEN, Rogue attempts to build a new home with her chosen X-family along with a handful of new students down in Louisiana. Their different approaches to the X-Men’s mission erupts into a tense standoff when a plan of action is needed to take down Graymalkin Prison, formerly Xavier’s Institute! The X-Men’s school has been transformed into a brutal penitentiary for mutants by the callous Dr. Corina Ellis, and her prize inmate is none other than Professor X himself! But after his actions during Krakoa’s fall, is Professor X worth saving? And who or what is the secret weapon that Ellis is confident will protect Graymalkin against any attack? Find out in this four-part mutant milestone that solidifies the X-Men’s post-Krakoan world!
X-MEN #8
Written by JED MACKAY
Art by RYAN STEGMAN
“RAID ON GRAYMALKIN” Part One!
With one of their own incarcerated, the X-Men move on Graymalkin Prison in order to free their teammate. But it’s not just one team – in Alaska, Cyclops’ X-Men scramble a rescue mission, while in Louisiana, Rogue’s X-Men move to strike out on their own sortie. Doctrinal rivals each with their own objective, will these two fractious teams find themselves at cross-purposes? After all…an “X” is made by two lines crossing.
UNCANNY X-MEN #7
Written by GAIL SIMONE
Art by DAVID MARQUEZ
“RAID ON GRAYMALKIN” Part Two!
The raid continues as two conflicting teams of X-Men come to a crossroads at Graymalkin Prison. As if the Perimeter protocols and the prison’s mutant “Trustees” weren’t enough, team leaders Rogue and Cyclops find themselves at war over the uncertain legacy of Charles Xavier!
X-MEN #9
Written by JED MACKAY
Art by RYAN STEGMAN
“RAID ON GRAYMALKIN” Part Three!
Rogue and Cyclops come to blows as emotions come to a head, pitting the two groups of X-Men against one another in a place where their only chance for survival is to stand together. Xavier’s dream lies shattered – and broken edges always draw blood.
UNCANNY X-MEN #8
Written by GAIL SIMONE
Art by JAVIER GARRÓN
RAID ON GRAYMALKIN, Part Four!
The explosive saga ends here, with Rogue and Cyclops on opposite ends of the mutant struggle, perhaps forever! Are they honoring Xavier’s legacy or destroying it? Do they choose loyalty or the law? An all-out action issue that will affect both teams (and the entire mutant community) with devastating results! Featuring guest artist Javier Garrón!
“It’s been an exciting time being part of the launch of the line of X-titles, but now we’re really getting into it- our first crossover!” MacKay shared. “Raid on Graymalkin is going to push the X-Men of both Alaska and Louisiana to their breaking points and set the tone for the future, and it’s been great to work with a legend like Gail in bringing it to life!”
“Writing in the X-World has been one of the most fun and rewarding experiences of my career,’ Simone said. “Best characters, best art team, best editors and best fellow creators, particularly Jed Mackay, who is just an idea machine. We’ve been throwing ideas back and forth nearly every day since we all started putting together the bones of what the X-Verse would be like, and I think it helps tremendously that we like and respect each other’s work.”
“I hope that this is a precursor to more short crossovers,” Simone added. “We love the idea of doing something impactful, where it feels punchy and fast-paced, with some genuine, lasting effects. You can still just read X-Men OR Uncanny and follow the story, but you’ll get a bigger, richer picture if you get both. As always, we have the welcome mat out for newbies and long-time readers alike!”
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.
