X-Men Monday #357 – Ashley Allen Talks ‘X-Orcists’

Welcome, X-Fans, to another uncanny edition of X-Men Monday at AIPT!

Fans of Ashley Allen‘s exploration of Illyana Rasputin (and fans of Ashley’s writing in general) have reason to celebrate. With X-Orcists, not only are Ashley’s days with Magik far from over, but what was originally announced as a five-issue limited series has now been extended into an ongoing!

So what can X-Fans look forward to in a series packed with bold—and magical—characters like Magik, Madelyne Pryor, and Juggernaut? Ashley’s returned to X-Men Monday to share those details and much more. Let’s see what she has to say.

AIPT: Welcome back to X-Men Monday, Ashley! And congratulations on X-Orcists moving from a limited to an ongoing series! Let’s start there, as X-Fans Andru, Felipe, Mini, and Niels all want to know how that feels and if it’s changed the way you’re writing the series.

Ashley Allen: I am SO pumped! It’s honestly a dream come true, and it’s all thanks to the fan support–the series isn’t even out, and you guys have been phenomenal with how you’ve shown up for the story we’re trying to tell. Our team is incredibly grateful, and we can’t wait to take you on this journey with us.

Moving from a limited to an ongoing hasn’t necessarily changed how I’m writing the series, but it is expanding the sandbox I get to play in. I intentionally left a lot of what-ifs in the initial series outline with the hope that I (or other writers) could explore them in series to come. But now, with an ongoing series, we get to dive deeper into those plot threads. And as a history and lore nerd, I can’t wait to dive into Limbo’s past a little bit more (cue X-Files theme song).

AIPT: Let’s rewind the clock a bit—how did X-Orcists come together? It’s exciting to get new X-team concepts we haven’t seen before, while continuing your exploration of Magik. And who came up with that title? Because X-Fan Phil was floored by how great that “X-Orcists” pun is.

Ashley: The title is sooooooooo good. We can all thank editor Lindsey Cohick for that *cue applause*. X-Orcists directly came out of my work with Magik and Magik & Colossus and my love of the mystical side of the Marvel Universe. When Lindsey came up with the name, she and Darren Shan reached out to see if I had any ideas for a book, and it spiraled into the series we have today!

AIPT: X-Fan John Klein III wants to know what it is about the Magik-Juggernaut friendship that you enjoy writing. They’re John’s current favorite comic book friendship—they’re so much fun!

Ashley: I love characters who know how to have a fun time but know when to lock in, and that’s Magik and Juggernaut to a tee. It’s very last-two-braincells energy, and I love them for it. Their ride-or-die dynamic is probably my favorite part about writing them.

AIPT: X-Fan Isaiah Meehan says that while Juggernaut’s powers come from magic, most might not associate him with the magical side of the Marvel Universe. That being said, do you plan to show the Juggernaut’s connection and association with the magical side of Marvel?

Ashley: It’s definitely a different flavor of super strength than we’re used to! The fun thing about a team based around magic is that we get to explore different branches and aspects of the arcana in Marvel. We’ll definitely give Juggernaut his spotlight!

AIPT: Let’s talk Maddie. X-Fan Mini wants to know how you’d describe your interpretation of Madelyne Pryor and your take on writing her. (Mini LOVED how Maddie and Illyana interacted in your Magik run.) And X-Fan Zaddy, a passionate Madelyne Pryor fan, truly enjoyed her redemption arc in Dark Weband is curious to learn what we can expect from her in terms of character growth in X-Orcists.

Ashley: Thank you, Mini—Magik #6 was one of my favorite issues to write! Maddie is such a complex character, but what I love most about her is this inner strength she has to chart her own path. I also really liked her redemption arc in Dark Web. She’s had such trauma happen in the course of her life and, despite that, has figured out who she wants to be as a person and stayed true to that regardless of external opinion. We’ll continue that course in X-Orcistsand let Maddie come into her own as both a leader and community figure in our world.

AIPT: X-Fan Duhny is a Bloodline fan and wanted to know what made you choose her to be a part of X-Orcists. Duhny is really excited to see how she’s going to be written!

Ashley: Because she’s cool!! Haha, sometimes it’s as simple as being a fan of the character. I really like the dynamic of Bri having this rich connection to the mystical side of the Marvel Universe through her father, but also being a young woman trying to find her own path in life outside of her family. In that sense, she relates a lot to our other heroines featured in our series, and I thought Bri would bring a fun dynamic to play off of with the other characters because of this.

AIPT: X-Fan Alan says Elsa Bloodstone is a favorite character (and, in Alan’s opinion, one of Marvel’s most underutilized characters). Alan asks how you plan to approach her as a character and as a member within this group. Magik and Elsa sound like a match made in heaven (or Limbo?), and Alan can’t wait to see them together.

Ashley: I also love Elsa (except release the Glartrox seems to now be constantly in my head as I write her RIP). I wanted to bring a character into our group with a rich knowledge of the occult (especially on Earth) and a little bit of a lone-wolf energy. As you mentioned, the thought of Elsa and Magik interacting was really fun to me. What happens to a team where everyone is an expert? Where everyone has an opinion of their own? Elsa certainly doesn’t censor herself, and neither does Illyana, so I’m definitely excited for Elsa’s introduction in our series.

AIPT: Speaking of other magical characters (and, apparently, non-magical characters)… a lot of X-Fans asked if we might see more characters pop up in the pages of X-Orcists or join the team. So, for… deep breath… X-Fans Alex P, Allison, CG, Charteris, Covey, Dan The Askani Fan, Devan, Eddie, Felipe, Feral Lives, Illyana, Isaiah Meehan, Jason, Jesús D. Cruz, Keitsune, Liviu Dragan, Mario B, Mini, MonsieurOverlord, Morgan, NewXmen Fan, Pame, Phil, Rambo Schutz, Tate, Thomas, and Tre—woof—any chance we haven’t seen everybody yet? (And, if you’re curious, Dani Moonstar, Rictor, Betsy Braddock, Storm, Scarlet Witch, Doctor Strange, Kid Juggernaut, Wiccan, Demon Crow, Tarot, Pixie, and Sapna were just some of the characters folks asked about.)

Ashley: So many names AH!! Well, the fun thing about an ongoing series is having a huge cast of characters to play off of. And there have been some characters I’ve been meaning to write on my bucket list… if I haven’t already.

AIPT: X-Fan Nameless says, for a while now, you’ve been writing a lot of Marvel titles focused on magic. What’s your mindset when writing sorcery, and what inspires it? Any comics or other media, in particular?

Ashley: My goal as a writer is to always tell stories my childhood self would have loved to read. I’ve always loved realistic settings with a touch of magic, whether that be the Mortal Instruments series, Percy Jackson, Soul Eater, Fullmetal Alchemist, and a bajillion others. My work is a love letter to the writers and artists who have inspired me and the fan culture I grew up around that gave me community.

Sorcery, in my opinion, should illuminate something about a character’s inner state, whether that be emotionally, physically, or spiritually. My No. 1 rule is magic always comes with a cost (in a true alchemist fashion). It’s my way to avoid magic being a catch-all and giving some real stakes to every choice a magical character must make.

AIPT: As we wrap up, I have to ask how it is getting to continue working with artist Germán Peralta. What an incredible run you two have had!

Ashley: Germán! My own ride or die, haha, or I guess Juggernaut to my Magik. And boy is he a juggernaut. I’ve said this in every interview I’ve done, but I swear he keeps leveling up his work every issue. The emotions. The action. The absolute DRAMA of it all. Germán is a master of his craft and inspires me to be a better writer. I cannot wait for people to see his storytelling work on X-Orcists. Is November here yet?

AIPT: Finally, as it’s almost Halloween—which I’m sure Magik and her crew enjoy—I was wondering if you also enjoy the spookiest holiday. And if so, any fun, annual traditions you partake in to celebrate?

Ashley: I love Halloween! Any excuse to dress up is a good holiday in my books. I unfortunately can’t watch horror movies (although I will Wikipedia the plot), but I do love a good Halloween movie or show. Every year, I rewatch Over the Garden Wall and always carve a pumpkin… and then will leave it outside until it looks decrepit and a little horrifying.

AIPT: It sounds like you’re doing Halloween right. But on that note, Ashley, thanks for stopping by X-Men Monday!

Remember, X-Fans, X-Orcists #1 goes on sale November 18, 2026. Ugh—that’s still so far off… good thing we can eXclusively reveal a few pages. Here’s a peek at what Ashley, Germán, colorist Marte Gracia, and letterer VC’s Travis Lanham have in store for you.

Until next time, X-Fans, stay eXceptional!

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