They are two of the greatest teachers to ever mentor the next generation of X-Men. They also have a long history as rivals, and were uneasy allies even at the best of times. Yet for the good of their students, Emma Frost and Kitty Pryde must put aside their differences to lead a new team of Exceptional X-Men.
Exceptional X-Men is the final title announced by Marvel Comics as part of the upcoming From The Ashes relaunch. The new series will be written by acclaimed author Eve L. Ewing, who is the current writer of Black Panther. The art will be provided by Captain Marvel artist Carmen Carnero.
Carnero’s cover for the first issue can be viewed below.
(Image Source: Marvel / Carmen Carnero)
Exceptional X-Men will open with Kitty Pryde trying to get as far away from her old life as possible. Returning to her native Chicago, Kitty gets a job as a bartender and tries to build a normal life. Clearly, that does not last long, and soon she’s brought back into action by the White Queen.
Together, the two frenemies will mentor three new teenage Mutants. These include the metallic and whip-wielding Bronze, the emotion-stirring Axo, and the stealth-skilled fighter Melee. Emma and Kitty have rarely seen eye-to-eye, but the one thing they can agree on is the importance of teaching the next generation of Mutants.
“I always try to strike a chord between appealing to veteran comics fans and new readers,” Ewing shared. “Longtime fans of Kitty Pryde can count on the kinds of adventures you expect from her as a classic favorite.” However, Ewing hopes that readers will come to love the new Mutants created for the book just as much.
“The story Eve brought up really hooked me from the beginning,” Carmen Carnero said. “I found it very interesting to see Kitty away from the X-Men and trying to live a normal life in Chicago. But finding herself with young mutants who have to deal with this post-Krakoa world and Emma’s plans.”
Exceptional X-Men #1 arrives in comic shops everywhere on September 4, 2024.