X-Men hero. Before the January release, new art and an early preview for the series reveal terrifying new designs for Magik, and her Darkchylde persona returns! A new villain called the Demon Crow is also revealed for the series with original designs by Peach Momoko. After being a part of the latest iteration of the X-Men, Illyana Rasputina takes her first steps on her own path.

In an unlettered preview for Magik #1 written by Ashley Allen (X-Men: Blood Hunt - Magik) and drawn by German Peralta (Black Panther, Loki), Magik faces off against threats that are targeting the magical community. The stunning art in the preview's s includes Magik wielding her Soulsword against a group of demons and looming over the X-Men in her full demonic form. There's also a first look at Peach Momoko's new villain the Demon Crow.

Along with the main cover for the series, there is also a wide arrangement of other covers by a list of all-star artists. One cover is Peach Momoko's design for the new villain the Demon Crow, while others include pieces by best-selling artists, including Jeehyung Lee and David Nakayama. A special foil cover is made by Dike Ruan, and a pinup cover by Jay Anacleto.

Magik Takes Her First Steps Away From the X-Men Since Krakoa

The Mystic Mutant Gets Her Own Villains

X-Men is currently in its 'From the Ashes' era, establishing a new status quo after the X-Men lost the mutant nation of Krakoa. There are many X-Men groups that emerged after the fall of Krakoa. One led by Cyclops set up their base in an old Sentinel factory in Alaska called "The Factory." Magik ed Cyclops and other X-Men in the Factory and has recently been investigating the mysterious appearances of late-onset mutants.

Now, Magik is breaking out on her own mission. In Magik's new series, she takes a step away from the X-Men and goes off on her own as mystical threats begin to emerge in Alaska.

X-Men's Magik Is Long Overdue for a Solo Series

A Former Sorcerer Supreme, Magik Can More Than Justify Solo Adventures

In AIPT's X-Men Monday #273 column, Ashley Allen explained why Magik is such an interesting protagonist:

She’s a woman who’s gone through a dark past but refuses to let that stop her from doing good in the world. I believe the desire to leave the world a better place than before resonates with a lot of fans (myself included). While she’s snarky and has some walls up, she’s ultimately a sweetheart who loves her friends and family deeply.

Illyana Rasputina is an incredibly popular character among X-Men fans, but she hasn't had a lot of time to shine outside the X-Men or New Mutants. This series gives Magik a chance to really demonstrate her powers to their fullest. Magik's powerset, including teleportation through space and time, sorcery, and, of course, her giant Soulsword, allow for so many incredible visual moments distinct from any other hero, mutant or human. Giving her sole focus can exploit that potential like never before.

Magik's Deep X-Men History is Done Justice in New Solo Series Designs

Darkness Is Core to the Character

Illyana Rasputina is the little sister of X-Men's Colossus. As a hero, she became a New Mutant, has trained her magic with Doctor Strange, and eventually became the Sorcerer Supreme of the Limbo dimension. However, all of this followed her kidnapping and abusive childhood in Limbo, where she was taken by the demonic Belasco. An older Magik eventually returned, but was forever changed by her experiences, with her Darkchylde form acting as a metaphor for the deep well of trauma just below the surface. Initially, this form was capable of taking her over, becoming a major threat, but more recently she's been able to use it to her advantage.

Magik is not the first of Cyclops' X-Men to go off on their own. Earlier, Cyclops benched Psylocke to take some much-needed rest, which led into her own solo series. With solo series for Storm, Jean Grey and Dazzler (her first solo series ever), it's clear Marvel is giving the X-Men's heroines a new chance to shine as solo heroes. What Magik will find on her own journey is yet to be seen, and hopefully this new X-Men spin-off gets the fan to continue for years to come.

Magik #1 is available January 8, 2024, from Marvel Comics.

Source: Chris Hassan, AIPT