Legendary comic creator John Byrne is back in the spotlight with a new X-Men project, but this one comes with a twist. The book, titled X-Men: Elsewhen, is not an official Marvel release. It is Byrne’s own version of what could have happened if he never left Uncanny X-Men in 1980.
Byrne, who helped define the franchise alongside writer Chris Claremont, walked away from Marvel after creative clashes during the peak of storylines like “Dark Phoenix” and “Days of Future Past.” Now, decades later, he is revisiting that turning point with a different outcome. In this version, Jean Grey survives, and the story moves forward on Byrne’s terms.
“Something I’m doing that wasn’t for intended for publication is the definition of fan fiction,” Byrne told The Hollywood Reporter. He added that he does not view the term as an insult.
The project started quietly in 2018 with a single drawing of Wolverine. That sketch turned into a steady output of pages posted online, nearly one page per weekday for about three years. Byrne ultimately created 31 issues without pay, deadlines, or editorial oversight.
Editor Chris Ryall saw the work online and pushed to bring it to print. After initial hesitation and no active relationship with Marvel, Byrne agreed to move forward. The book is now being published through Abrams ComicArts, a partner that handles select Marvel-related projects.
The demand is already strong. The first print run of 25,000 copies sold out in pre-sales. A second run of 20,000 is underway, with future volumes planned through 2028.
The content itself reflects Byrne’s older style, with fast pacing and dense storytelling. It stands in contrast to modern comics, which often stretch plots over multiple issues. Byrne’s approach delivers constant action and cliffhangers, shaped by his daily posting schedule.
Byrne also used the release to revisit his career. He called his work on Superman at DC his biggest regret, claiming the publisher “lied to me at every turn.” In contrast, he points to projects like Star Trek and Angel as more positive experiences.
On Hollywood adaptations, Byrne did not hold back. While his work inspired films like X-Men: Days of Future Past and multiple versions of Dark Phoenix, he says modern Marvel movies miss the mark. “This is not my characters. This is not my story,” he said, adding that the last film he truly enjoyed was Iron Man.
Still, Byrne admits he has no issue collecting checks tied to those adaptations. “I take the money,” he said, noting he recently received a large payment connected to a new Superman film.
At 76, Byrne says he is nearing the end of his career and views X-Men: Elsewhen as a final statement. “I’m starting to believe that Elsewhen is going to be my leaving in a blaze of glory,” he said.
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English (US) · 