Everything You Need To Know About X-Men: From The Ashes

The Krakoa Era of X-Men comics are officially done and dusted. Launched under the guidance of writer Jonathan Hickman, it was an exciting period that introduced many radical ideas and recontextualised existing ones to create something new for Marvel’s mutants. It was a big success, being very popular with the passionate fanbase and critics alike.

However, all good things must eventually come to an end. And with that, Marvel has revealed what’s next – X-Men: From The Ashes. As announced at Marvel’s SXSW panel, the new line of X-Men comics will begin from July 2024 onwards, ushering in a new era spearheaded by editor Tom Brevoort.

Find out all about X-Men: From The Ashes with this extensive guide. It details all the comics involved and answers many questions about the new line.

Updating…

Many details for X-Men: From The Ashes are yet to be revealed. This guide will be updated regularly to include these when they’re made available. I suggest bookmarking this page so it can be referenced back to later.

Is X-Men: From The Ashes a reboot?

X-Men: From The Ashes is not a reboot. A reboot implies that everything established is wiped clean and that it’s a new start. Instead, X-Men: From The Ashes is a relaunch that moves the X-Men comics in a new direction while keeping history intact.

Will X-Men: From The Ashes be a good place to start reading X-Men comics?

Yes. This period of X-Men shifts the comics in a new direction. As a result, there are brand new stories to jump on with.

Do I need to have read the Krakoa Era?

As mentioned in the introduction, the Kraoka Era was the preceding period of X-Men comics. As a result, you might be wondering if you should be reading that first before starting any of the comics that are part of the X-Men: From The Ashes.

The answer to that is no. It won’t necessary to read the Krakoa Era beforehand. While there may be some references to it, especially regarding its conclusion and the conflict with Orchis, the new line of comics will be more concerned with what happens next.

Check out this extensive guide to learn more if you’re curious about reading the Krakoa Era.

I’m confused about an element of X-Men. How can I find out more?

X-Men comics have a lot of moving parts. So many characters and concepts that have been introduced over the years. Some may be familiar through mediums outside of comics, while others are more obscure. This can be confusing if you’re a new reader or someone who has been away from X-Men for a while.

I wouldn’t worry too much. Even fans who have been reading X-Men for a long time can find it confusing sometimes. In a way, part of the fun is trying to figure out and remember aspects of the long-running mutant soap opera.

You’ve got two options when it comes to figuring things out.

The first is to go with the flow. Modern comics are good at getting readers up to speed with summary/recap pages and how they’re scripted. You’ll figure it out as you go along.

The other option is to boot up Wikipedia or the Marvel Fandom Wiki. Almost every character has their own page. A quick scan through the relevant pages should give you the gist of what you need to know. However, I wouldn’t worry about going too deep into the minutia as it’s often unnecessary and can be very convoluted for some characters.

What does “From The Ashes” mean?

It’s not the first time Marvel has used the term “from the ashes” concerning the X-Men. The publisher released a trade paperback collection called “X-Men: From The Ashes” in 1990 – reprinting it multiple times over the years. This collection focused on a stretch of issues in Chris Claremont and Paul Smith’s run on Uncanny X-Men. While several stories are explored in these, one plot point is the potential return of Dark Phoenix – the persona of Jean Grey went by when she was possessed by the Phoenix Force – with the title referencing that.

However, Marvel is using the title for another reason. The publisher likes to reuse titles where possible. Sometimes, to evoke something from the past or a specific tone. I believe this is used not so much to reference the Phoenix Force or similar concepts but to describe it as a period of rebirth for the X-Men comics after the Krakoa Era. Most of the concepts and ideas from that period have come crashing down spectacularly, leaving the X-Men to build something new in the wake of it. This is reinforced by the tagline “From the ashes — a new beginning” on covers and promo material.

What comics are part of X-Men: From The Ashes?

Below are the comics that we currently know are part of X-Men: From The Ashes. These includes the three core series, spin-offs, and a handful of other comics as well.

Please note: Keep your eyes peeled on this section. I will be adding more details for all the titles and adding more as information is made available.

Free Comic Book Day: Blood Hunt/X-Men

Written by Jed MacKay and Gail Simone. Art by Sara Pichelli and David Marquez.

This is a special one-shot that Marvel was given away as part of Free Comic Book Day 2024. Along with having a prelude to the upcoming Blood Hunt comic book event, it also include a short X-Men story (written by Gail Simone and art by David Marquez) that will be reader’s first taste of X-Men: From The Ashes before it launches.

This made available at participating comic book shops on Free Comic Book Day (4th May, 2024) and digitally.

X-Men: From The Ashes Infinity Comic

Written by Alex Paknadel. Art by Diogenes Neves.

This vertical-scrolling webcomic bridges the gap between the conclusion of the Krakoa Era and X-Men (2024 series) #1.

Marvel Unlimited subscribers can read X-Men: From The Ashes Infinity Comic on the Marvel Unlimited app or on Marvel.com.

X-Men

Written by Jed MacKay. Art by Ryan Stegman.

The first comic launching part of From The Ashes is X-Men. The first of three core titles, this series will see a team based in Alaska. From up there, this roster will fight for mutants’ future against new threats.

The team will consist of Cyclops, Beast, Magneto, Psylocke, Kid Omega, Temper (formerly Oya), Magik, and Juggernaut.

As the first series launched as part of this new era, X-Men (2024 series) gives readers the first inklings of the new direction of the X-Men line and the From The Ashes Era.

X-Men (2024 series) #2 includes part 8 of the Deadpool/Wolverine: Weapon X-Traction crossover, which is running as a back-up story through multiple titles. Check out the Weapon X-Traction reading order to find out how to read it.

X-Men (2024 series) #1 was published on sale 10th July.

Buy: Amazon/Kindle | eBay

Uncanny X-Men

Written by Gail Simone. Art by David Marquez.

Next up is Uncanny X-Men, a classic title that hasn’t been used in a number of years and the second core title. An all-star team of heroes will call New Orleans home as they protect a world that fears and hates them.

The series will blend superhero action with the southern gothic horror of its New Orleans setting.

The team will be made up of Rogue (who will lead the team), Gambit, Nightcrawler, Jubilee, and Wolverine. It will also introduce a new character called Jitter, who Gail Simon described as having “a hard time focusing but can do any skill for one minute, and then it’s over.”

Uncanny X-Men (2024 series) #1 goes on sale 7th August.

Buy: Amazon/Kindle | eBay

Exceptional X-Men

Written by Eve L. Ewing. Art by Carmen Carnero.

Exceptional X-Men is the third core X-Men title of the From The Ashes Era. It will focus on the next generation of mutants, as lead by Emma Frost and Kate Pryde. New mutants Bronze, Axo, and Melee need training and guidance in a turbulent world that is no-less hostile to mutants after the war with Orchis.

Exceptional X-Men #1 goes on sale 4th September.

Phoenix

Written by Stephanie Phillips. Art by Alessandro Miracolo.

Jean Grey goes solo in this new series where she has fully embraced the power of the Phoenix Force. Travelling alone in space, her actions and inactions will bring darkness to the universe.

In the opening issue, Jean is called to the edge of a black hole by Nova to attempt to save hundreds of lives. What she does next will haunt her in ways she can barely imagine.

Phoenix (2024 series) #1 goes on sale 17th July.

NYX

Written by Collin Kelly and Jackson Lanzig. Art by Francesco Mortarino.

NYX is a series that’s less concerned about the ongoing battles of the X-Men. Instead, it’s all about a group of mutants living in New York City. It’s about embracing mutant life, identity, and the problems that go with that in the big city.

The series will star a group of young mutants in Ms. Marvel, Anole, Prodigy, Wolverine (Laura Kinney), and Sophie Cuckoo.

That’s not to say that everything will be calm. A new Captain Krakoa has arrived to ruin the peace.

NYX was a a series that ran from 2003-2005 that followed a group of homeless teen mutants in New York City. The series was then followed up by NYX: No Way Home in 2008-2009. The original series is notable for being the first comics appearance of Laura Kinney aka X-23.

NYX (2024 series) #1 goes on sale 24th July.

X-Force

Written by Geoffrey Thorne. Art by Marcus To.

Forge has hand-picked a new team of mutants for a new iteration of X-Force. This time around, they’re partaking in black-ops missions that threaten the Marvel Universe – so dire, as the solicitation for the first issue states, that they don’t have time to even ask permission.

This iteration of X-Force will consist of Forge, Rachel Summers, Betsy Braddock, Sage, Surge, and new character Tank. Each mission will mix things up by rotating out different characters based on the mission’s needs, with Deadpool being the first. Future issues will guest star Black Panther, Man-Thing, and others.

It was teased that X-Force (2024 series) #5 will include a death of a team member. While that wasn’t a issue in recent years with Krakoan resurrection, this death will be permanent.

X-Force (2024 series) #1 goes on sale 31st July.

Avengers #17 onwards

Written by Jed MacKay. Art by Valerio Schiti.

Storm is joining The Avengers as part of this new era of X-Men comics. Not only will she be able to lend her powers and leadership ability to Marvel’s most respected superhero team, Storm will be a prominent voice for mutantkind during a much needed time.

As I mentioned before, it’s not the first time that Storm has joined The Avengers. However, being part of a big X-Men relaunch allows the idea to build up much more momentum than the previous time.

Avengers #17 includes part 6 of the Deadpool/Wolverine: Weapon X-Traction crossover as a back up story.

Avengers (2023 series) #17 goes on sale 7th August.

X-Factor

Written by Mark Russell. Art by Bob Quinn.

In this new era, mutants have become an international arms race, with governments creating mutant armies. X-Factor is the American incarnation, co-lead by Angel and Havok. Along for the government-backed missions are Frenzy, Feral, Pyro, and others.

Being written by Mark Russell, one can only assume that there will be a satirical tongue-in-cheek element to the series.

X-Factor (2024 series) #1 goes on sale 14th August.

Wolverine

Written by Saladin Ahmed. Art by Martín Cóccolo.

Unsurprisingly, there will be a new Wolverine solo series as part of X-Men: From The Ashes. A classic villain and a brand new one will put Logan’s rage and healing factor to the test. Can he survive the experience?

Marvel has noted that the first issue will feature a key first appearance and a major addition to the Wolverine lore.

Wolverine (2024 series) #1 goes on sale 11th September.

Dazzler

Written by Jason Loo. Art by Rafael Loureiro.

Dazzler, the musical mutant who can covert sound into light, is focusing on her musical career again. Part of this going on tour as part of a retrospective celebration of her career. (You could say it’s her own version of the Eras Tour.) Along for the ride as roadies are Domino, Strong Guy, and Multiple Man. However, will a violent attack stop the tour before it has even begun? You’ll have to read this four-part series to find out.

Each issue also comes with original song lyrics.

Dazzler (2024 series) #1 goes on sale 18th September.

Storm

Written by Murewa Ayodele. Art by Lucas Werneck.

Storm is striking out on her own to be a force of positive change in her latest solo series. She wants to show the good that mutants can do and is doing it in the most badass way possible. He first mission will be to stop a nuclear power plant from melting down.

That appears to be the tip of the iceberg, with Ayodele stating in the series announcement, “As a fan of Storm, her duties to the X-Men, and what she stands for in various real-world communities, I would like to assure the audience that Storm is in danger. Extremely so. We love Ororo Munroe, and that is why we have crafted a thrilling story that will put the strength of her character on wide-open display.”

Storm (2024 series) #1 goes on sale 2nd October.

Sentinels

Written by Alex Paknadel. Art by Justin Mason.

Sentinels have been known to be the mutant-killing robots for as long as there have been X-Men comics. However, they’ve been recontextualised in this five-part series as a government team to hunt down dangerous mutants. Each member of the team has been transformed through nanotechnology, which allows them to take on the likes of Omega Red – their first target.

Sentinels #1 goes on sale 9th October.

Mystique

Written and art by Declan Shalvey.

Mystique murderous methods are required again for the good of mutantkind. She’ll use her shapeshifting abilities and other espionage methods to reach her targets and taken them out. However, her actions gotten the attention of Nick Fury – becoming a game of cat and mouse.

Mystique (2024 series) #1 goes on sale 16th October.

Psylocke

Written by Alyssa Wong. Art by Vincenzo Carratù.

Psylocke is a member of the core X-Men team by Jed MacKay and Ryan Stegman. However, there are some missions that are not suitable for the X-Men. That’s where Psylocke comes in, who brings her deadly brand of psychic ninja action on solo missions.

The series will introduce a new villain called The Taxonomist.

Psylocke (2024 series) #1 goes on sale on 13th November.

Laura Kinney: Wolverine

Written by Erica Schultz. Art by Giada Belviso.

Laura Kinney will enter the deepest darkest corners of the Marvel Universe to help mutants who cannot help themselves. It’s a mission that will make her a one-mutant army but will also put a target on her back.

Laura Kinney: Wolverine #1 goes on sale 11th December.

Will there be more comics?

The X-Men comics line is known for its size. Readers are eager to explore the different facets and corners of the mutant world, which can be done when there are so many characters to choose from. Marvel are known to accommodate this by growing the line over time, switching out series after they conclude and add additional ones when scenarios dictate.

As a result, I believe that this era of X-Men comics will see more comics announced. These might not come straight away as nine series have already been announced – with these series having a staggered start over multiple months.

This guide will be updated when new details arise.

X-Men: From The Ashes has a 90s vibe

It’s hard not to notice that this period of X-Men has been influenced by the comics of the 1990s. This is evident in the characters present, their costumes, and the logos used.

While some readers may suggest that Marvel is creatively bankrupt by making these choices, I can understand why they’ve decided to go down this path. The Krakoa Era was a radical shift for the X-Men. By evoking the 90s period of X-Men, arguably one of the biggest selling periods of the comics line, it gives existing, lapsed, and potential readers some level of familiarity. It also launches after X-Men ’97, a continuation of the 1990s animated series. By having familiar elements in the comics, viewers of the series may be more willing to check out the current comics.

It’s likely that the line will move away from some of these elements as stories evolve.

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