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.
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. Byrne wrote and penciled every page, and inked multiple chapters of this three volume series.
X-Men: Elsewhen volume 1 will be published on June 23, 2026. Abrams ComicArts provided an early galley for review.
I was just coming into super-hero and Marvel Comics around the time of Bryne's earliest work for the company. Thus, it is no surprise that he ranks in my top three of all-time comic book creators.
As outlined by Byrne himself, this entire project just started out as a fun lark for him. But it quickly evolved into a whole lot more (hundreds of pages). I had heard about it being posted on his website message board but never really sought it out. Now, years later, it was being retooled into a trio of graphic novels and published for a wider audience.
My excitement reading this was fanned from the opening pages. It felt great to be back with one of the first team titles I collected and a creator who left his mark on it.
I enjoyed how Byrne brings in elements from the greater Marvel universe, whether as adversaries or even brief cameos. It is always good to see his take on certain characters. Each of the issues/chapters move fairly quickly (there are ten in total in this first volume). This is the pacing of the Bronze Age comics with main plots being supplemented with subplots. The volume definitely leaves the reader eager to continue the adventures.
The art is beautiful, as always. Byrne renders the cast very much like he did in the early 80's. Here and there a couple faces felt a touch "off" but that happens. The backgrounds are full and varied, adding to the overall story.
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