Marvel Reveals X-Men Version of What If...?

For years, things have been mostly quiet on the X-Men front, save for several series from Marvel Comics that have kept them in the minds of diehard fans of the franchise. On the cinematic and streaming fronts, however, it's been radio silence for a very long time, that is until the sensational and critically-acclaimed X-Men '97 reboot, but even that was two years ago.

But with Season 2 arriving on July 1, and the MCU finally adding the X-Men via Avengers: Doomsday — followed by a full-blown reboot of the X-Men universe in 2027 and beyond, it only makes sense that Marvel Comics would make sure they continued to get their rightful due in the comic book space.

There's no better way to do it than to bring the legendary mind of John Byrne back to execute the plan, either. Byrne, the iconic mind behind Uncanny X-Men nearly five decades ago, is back to deliver X-Men: Elsewhen —a What If ... ? level of storytelling that is a must-have for readers and collectors alike.

• Writer: John Byrne
• Artist: John Byrne
• Ink: Scott Williams, Walt Simonson, Paul Willis
• Colorist: Lovern Kindzierski, Ruth Redmond, Leonard O'Grady, Carlos Lopez
• Letterer: Pat Brosseau
• Length: 232 pages
• Type: Hardcover
• On sale: Now
• Price: $39.99
• UPC: 9781419787287

X-Men: Elsewhen Adds a What If ... ? Spin to the Iconic Franchise

Just taking a read through the preview in the gallery above should be enough to get the point across, in that Byrne is not messing around.

Per the official synopsis: "In Volume 1 of X-Men: Elsewhen, the Dark Phoenix Saga is over and Phoenix is . . . alive?! Diverging from the epic finale of the original storyline from 1984, X-Men: Elsewhen presents a universe where Jean Grey’s powers and intellect have been greatly reduced, and from there, everything you thought you know about the X-Men is forever changed."

It continues: "John Byrne’s monumental return to the X-Men heads in entirely new and surprising directions, as the X-Men head back to the Savage Land, face their climactic adventure with the Sentinels, and contend with special guest–stars such as the Avengers and the Fantastic Four along the way."

The added beauty of the project is that it's not a one-shot, with two additional volumes on the way.

The X-Men Are Taking Over Marvel in 2026 and Beyond

"X-Men: Elsewhen is a three-volume graphic novel series in the Marvel Arts line that sees the return of acclaimed X-Men artist Byrne decades after his last work on the series," Marvel Comics said, via release.

It added: "Byrne has written and penciled every page and inked multiple chapters, all of which pick up the story from where his first go–round ended, taking this beloved lineup of characters ― and his fans―in exciting new directions."

Yes, X-Men: Elsehwen almost literally picks up where Byrne left off in Uncanny X-Men, an exciting feat to consider in 2026. Where Byrne takes the characters next is anyone's guess, but expect it to be a fantastic ride, and one that adds to what's quickly becoming the Age of Mutants for both Marvel Comics and Marvel Studios.