The new age of X-Men is underway, with multiple teams trying to rise From the Ashes and rebuild. For several months, the Mutant heroes have been content to keep their distance, lining up along ideological lines. However, when the two teams turn their attention to the Mutant prison Graymalkin, the division between them may destroy all they have built so far.
In the wake of Krakoa’s fall, two distinct teams have formed. In Alaska, Cyclops and Beast lead a more militant team of Mutant heroes out of an old Sentinel factory. Meanwhile, in Louisiana, Rogue and Wolverine have formed a found family of old allies and young mutants who need a home.
Both groups have their differences but are content to leave well enough alone. That changes when both groups of X-Men have members of their teams imprisoned in Greymalkin. Built on the ruins of the Xavier Institute, Greymalkin is a brutal penitentiary run by anti-Mutant bigots, said to hold Professor X himself. Unfortunately, his former students disagree on whether he should be freed and the scope of their respective missions.
The Raid on Graymalkin crossover event will run through December 2024 and January 2025. It will play out in the pages of the X-Men and Uncanny X-Men titles. It will be written by current series’ authors Jed MacKay and Gail Simone.
Raid on Graymalkin centers on classic X-Men conflict
The mission of the X-Men has varied over the years. Often times they were a militaristic group focused on defending a world that hates and fears them. However, the group was originally established as a school and nominally concerned with protecting and educating young Mutants. This conflict lies at the heart of the dispute between the teams led by Rogue and Cyclops, respectively.
“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. It’s been great to work with a legend like Gail in bringing it to life!”
“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!”
X-Men: Raid on Graymalkin: Part 1 arrives in comic shops everywhere on December 4, 2024.
