SDCC ’25: Byrne’s X-MEN ELSEWHEN expands Abrams’ Marvel Arts line

Abrams ComicArts has confirmed the expansion of its Marvel Arts line of graphic novels at San Diego Comic-Con 2025. The publisher will release John Byrne’s three-volume X-Men Elsewhen series, which celebrates the 50-year history of the X-team. Elsewhen began nearly seven years ago when Byrne returned to the X-Men, a franchise he helped launch to stardom alongside Chris Claremont and Terry Austin.

X-Men Elsewhen is written and penciled by Byrne, inked by Byrne and Paul Wills, colored by Lovern Kindzierski and Leonard O’Grady, and lettered by Byrne and Patrick Brosseau. The story examines what happened after Jean Grey sacrifice herself at the end of the “Dark Phoenix Saga” and survived—in a very different form. This completely alters not just the X-team, but the entire Marvel Universe.

“They say you can’t go home again,” said Byrne. “They’re wrong.”

X-Men Elsewhen, Vol. 1 sees the characters return to Earth in a storyline that also features the Fantastic Four, Spider-Man, the Avengers, the Sentinels, and other fan-favorites.

“John Byrne has done something truly unique here,” said X-Men Elsewhen series editor Chris Ryall. “He’s created all-new X-Men adventures that not only serve as a reminder of why Byrne’s past work on these characters was beloved and influential, while at the same time presenting all-new and relevant stories that will captivate newer X-Men fans as well.”

“We’re incredibly excited to be publishing X-Men: Elsewhen with John Byrne,” said Abrams ComicArts publisher Joseph Montagne. “This project is something truly rare. It offers a chance to revisit one of the most iconic runs in comics history, told by the original co-creator in his own voice. Byrne’s passion for these characters comes through on every page. We’re proud to bring this long-awaited story to readers through our Marvel Arts line and to add such a meaningful project to this collaboration between Abrams and Marvel.”

X-Men Elsewhen joins titles in Abrams ComicArts’ Marvel Arts line including Alex Ross’s Fantastic Four: Full Circle; Chip Kidd and Michael Cho’s The Avengers: Veracity Trip; and Patrick McDonnell’s The Super Hero’s Journey. The first volume will be released in April 2026, with subsequent volumes debuting in fall 2026 and spring 2027.

Stay tuned to The Beat for more coverage from SDCC ’25.