Welcome, X-Fans, to another uncanny edition of X-Men Monday at AIPT!
At the end of the last X-Men Monday, rather than tell you what you were getting next, I teased a blind-bag-like experience where you’d just have to show up, rip that plastic, and see what’s inside. Well, unlike actual blind bags, you never have to pay for X-Men Monday (you’re welcome!), there’s no plastic involved (you’re welcome, Nature Girl!), and you’re not just getting a chance at another cover — you’re getting several brand-new covers and much, much more!
Obviously, the whole blind bag bit was a hint that we’d be discussing DNX so far with its writer Jed MacKay, but we’ve also got an eXclusive first look at lies ahead in the aftermath of the X-Men-Fantastic Four event. Let’s dig in and see what Jed has to say!
AIPT: Welcome back to X-Men Monday, Jed! By now, X-Fans have had a chance to read DNX#1, so I’d like to start with the Chairman. Yes, he wants to unleash the X-Virus on 1.6 million unsuspecting Philadelphians… and yes, he’s done some other terrible things… but do you think he’s a villain? Because this is X-Men, where designations like “hero” and “villain” change depending on the day of the week. I mean, we’re talking about the original Beast here!
Jed MacKay: Oh, he’s pretty clearly a villain. The Chairman’s drive to see his goals realized has led him to see the lives of other living sentient beings as being largely immaterial. Revelation’s X-Virus killed millions in the potential future that we saw, and the Chairman has been pretty clear that he expects his own version to do similar numbers, and it just doesn’t matter to him.And that’s where villainy lives, not just in the capacity to ignore the death and suffering of others in favor of accomplishing one’s own goal, but in that capacity to do so effortlessly.
AIPT: Speaking of morally gray characters, let’s talk about Reed Richards. Mister Fantastic’s making no friends among X-Fans after trying to play god with Magneto’s powers. What made you want to center DNX#1 around this debate between Reed and Beast (and Ben Liu)?
Jed: “Playing god” is a bit of a stretch, I think. Reed being concerned with handing, essentially, a gun to a man who has a long history of killing people with said gun is in keeping with the hard lessons the good Dr. Richards has learned about his own culpability with various misuses of his scientific discoveries, ranging from accidental to malicious. Putting that into conflict with how Beast and Ben see the situation is the kind of character work I love to do!
AIPT: Though she had limited page time, Sue was the standout of DNX#1 for me (and, clearly, Ben Liu as well). As a writer, how does having a strong-willed character like the Invisible Woman in the mix help you shape an X-Men-centric story like DNX?
Jed: In this issue, in particular, we have our parallels. Reed is obviously Beast’s opposite number in the FF, while Sue is Cyclops’. She’s taking in the situation as a whole rather, seeing the angles and various facets of the entire operation, and reacting appropriately. So when it’s time to send some people to hit some people, she’s the one who’s going to make that call.
AIPT: Since the Chairman was revealed to be the original Hank McCoy, we’ve seen him interact with his younger counterpart and most recently, Magneto. But what’s really got me excited is the Chairman and Cyclops’ post-Age of Revelationreunion. What kind of emotional fireworks can we expect from these two original X-Men in the DNX issues to come?
Jed: That’s going to be the focus of coming issues! In the Age of Revelation, the Chairman experienced something he hadn’t for a long time — what it felt like to be an X-Man. Gathering a crew of insane science-villains to realize one’s mad ambitions is all well and good, but the cracks have finally shown themselves in DNX #1. But to be an X-Man? As he himself put it in X-Men #35 — “might there be anything finer?”
AIPT: Then, over in X-Men #37, you surprised us with the return of Phoenix. For you, why was it important to have a Jean Grey-Cassandra Nova rematch? And are we going to get a peek at Jean’s vision for Cassandra?
Jed: Jean and Cassandra have beef from back in the X-Men Red days, which was fun to tap back into, but this also continues Quentin’s pattern of picking a psychic fight and winning it with an underhanded trick. As for what Jean did in Cassandra’s brain… it won’t be anything we’ll be picking up on right away, but something we might see in the future!
AIPT: Well, speaking of the future, we can eXclusively reveal a few covers and solicitations for DNXaftermath issues, starting with X-Men#42.
DNX AFTERMATH!
In the wake of the apocalyptic events of DNX, the X-Men have been struck by tragedy. They gather to remember their lost comrade…but the world does not stop for grief, and events put into motion continue to escalate…
That Netho Diaz cover to X-Men#42, featuring what appears to be a broken pair of eyeglasses and bits of blue fur… Jed, comic book covers don’t always tell the whole story, right?
Jed: Comic covers don’t always tell the whole story… but they do tell a part of it, and there will be tears shed among the X-Men in the future.
AIPT: Then, we have the full team on the cover of X-Men #43.
DNX AFTERMATH!
Magneto is restored! Jean Grey has returned from space! But with so many strong personalities and viewpoints in contention with one another, who will lead the X-Men? The winds of change blow in Alaska, and the X-Men must make a fateful decision that will decide their future! Remember: Mark your choice on the ballot with an X!
AIPT: We’ve watched Magneto struggle since X-Men#1, but following DNX, we’re told he’ll be restored. And, in X-Men Monday #350, Conductor of X Tom Brevoort said Magneto’s a character X-Fans will be talking about as we head into 2027. So, what kind of master of magnetism can X-Fans look forward to in the not-too-distant future?
Jed: Magneto’s going to be stepping forward and taking a more active role in the X-Men moving forward, as befits the master of magnetism and the original mutant menace. But he’s not the only high-powered mutant who is retaking their prominence within the X-Men…
AIPT: Phoenix was also on Tom’s list, and we see her and Cyclops along with the rest of the Merle cast. Something that has me very excited is seeing how Jean interacts with so many morally gray X-Men. Obviously, Scott’s grown a lot more comfortable working alongside former villains thanks to various X-Menruns that were published while Jean was in the White Hot Room. Is that something you plan to explore in the issues to come?
Jed: The team of X-Men that Jean finds upon her return to Earth is very different than the X-Men she’s used to spending time with, and her adjustment is going to be interesting to explore. But Jean is also a character who believes in redemption. While Scott gathered his X-Men to keep them from going wrong, Jean would see this group as people who can be encouraged to do better.
AIPT: The solicitation for X-Men#43 says “Remember: Mark your choice on the ballot with an X!” Could this signal the return of the Krakoan era “X-Men Vote,” or is this just a bit of solicitation fun?
Jed: It’s something that was suggested, but ultimately we decided to just keep it in the story. Post DNX, we’re going to see some shakeups in the X-Men team composition and leadership, and yes — the X-Men will be voting!
AIPT: And here’s an eXclusive look at the cover and solicitation for Jean Grey#2.
Having touched down from her time in space and reunited with the X-MEN, JEAN GREY must reckon with what a return to Earth will mean for her. But as she ruminates, something insidious is afoot in Merle, Alaska — something ancient…something cold…something dangerous.
There’s mention of Jean’s time in space. Obviously, Jean feeling the need to step away from the X-Men and explore what it means to be Phoenix in the cosmic side of the Marvel Universe has been central to her appearances since “From the Ashes.” Can we look forward to seeing how that time in space affected Jean, or any new learnings about herself from those adventures?
Jed: That time in space was important for Jean, but our focus in the Jean Grey series is more on her finding her place on Earth. It’s a classic dilemma — going away to find yourself can lead to important self-discovery, but the world you left continues to move on without you, and will require catching up with upon your return.
AIPT: Finally, when we revealed information about Jean’s return to the X-Men in X-Men Monday #350, many X-Fans assumed a limited series named “Jean Grey” and the new blue-and-yellow costume meant it was the end of Jean’s Phoenix era. And Tom hasn’t exactly hidden the fact that having the Phoenix on an X-team introduces a unique set of storytelling challenges. Considering I see a firebird on the cover of X-Men#43, is it safe to assume you, Tom, and your collaborators have cracked that much-discussed Phoenix problem?
Jed: We have our plans for the Phoenix, and we’ll see how those unfold throughout Jean Grey!
AIPT: We’ll see indeed. But on that note, Jed, thanks for stopping by X-Men Monday!
Before we go, X-Fans, we have one more eXclusive for you: The lettered preview for DNX #2! On sale September 30, 2026, it’s illustrated by Federico Vicentini, colored by David Curiel, lettered by VC’s Clayton Cowles, and features a main cover by Kaare Andrews
Next X-Men Monday – September 28, 2026
In the next edition of X-Men Monday, writer Jonathan Hickman makes his long-awaited return to discuss the upcoming Midnight X-Men series!
Until next time, X-Fans, stay eXceptional!
EXCLUSIVE Marvel Preview: ‘DNX’ #2
AIPT Comics Podcast Ep 396: Tom King and Daniel Sampere reflect on 40 issues of ‘Wonder Woman’
‘Ofiusa’ #1 proves March is a master at sensual comics
Comic Books
Miracleman’s long road to the Marvel Universe, explained
Comic Books
‘The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula’ Season 7 premieres October 27
Exclusive: ‘The Simpsons Treehouse of Horror’ gets complete 3-volume omnibus box set
