For our first Redesign challenge of 2025, we decided to do something a little different. Rather than pick one character for everyone to redesign as has been custom, we asked all the participants this time to pick a character they want to see get more attention this year. Everyone gave their character a new look AND a mock cover for an imaginary solo series. Our artists picked a wide range of characters, from A-listers to minor characters, with each cover giving vibes for a different kind of book that we’d just love to read!
See what everyone came up with, and follow our talented artists on social media!
Dia Falconer: Honey Badger
@unteletoonz on all platforms | Instagram | BlueSky
I just think Gabby deserves her own series. My thought process for this design was that the series would show us what a day in the life looks like for her, which is why I went with a more casual outfit.
Joe Pryde Art: Pixie
Twitter: @JoePrydeCosplay | BlueSky: @artofjoepryde.bsky.social | Instagram: @joeprydecosplay
I wanted to blend modern and ’70s fashion trends from the U.K. and Europe. This is a grown-up(ish) Megan. She’s backpacking across Europe trying to connect more to her mystical roots in a post-Krakoa world. She’s a mystical mutant on a mission!
Seye Sanyaolu: Kafka
@seye_art on Twitter and Instagram
For my submission, I chose one of my favourite new minor characters, Kafka (pre-timeskip). I imagine four issues of adventures and discoveries as a new settler on Krakoa, along with fun guest characters!
Léa Dupic: Shatterstar
@kimodraw on Tumblr and Instagram
Don’t have much to say about it, I just adore Shatterstar and Rictor and they seemed like good candidates for a remake of those old posters where the girl is wrapped around the victorious guy’s legs.
Rake: Omega Sentinel
@pastelrake on all platforms | Instagram | BlueSky
Omega Sentinel acquires the remains of Nimrod and modifies her arsenal, becoming Omega Lesser. But wait, didn’t Karima get finally, affirmatively freed of the Sentinel programming? Whose side is she on?
Trae Middlebrooks: Nocturne
For this round, I chose Nocturne, alternate-reality daughter of Nightcrawler and the Scarlet Witch. If you think about it, she’s kind of like the original Chimera. I wanted a design that combined elements from most of her famous forebears’ costumes, including Mystique and Destiny. The circus theme allowed me to tie all those elements together. She’s both the ringleader and the star acrobat. The big curly hair is a nod to her Aunty Polaris. I hope we see her and her Exiles teammates again very soon.
Calvin Lin
@calvinloveinternet on Instagram and BlueSky
The inspiration for this cover was a classic noir/femme fatale vibe. I love playing with the shadow to reveal Mystique underneath that disguise. I’m not sure what the plot is, but you know there’s going to be some betrayals, reveals and twists!
Joshua Bruckner
Joshua Bruckner is a lifelong artist, X-Men fan and scientist, in that order. He lives in Massachusetts and spends his free time reading comics, redesigning X-Men, drawing comics and arguing about X-Men. Follow him at @joshington_bear on most social media.
