Two X-Men icons go to war over the next generation of mutant heroes – or villains.

Exceptional X-Men #2 finds Kate Pryde spending yet another day stepping in to protect a young mutant in need. Despite her best efforts, Kate can’t help but inspire and intrigue these budding heroes, so much so that they have formed their own fan club of sorts in her honor. Unfortunately, when she doesn’t immediately open the door of her apartment to them, she discovers that someone else has taken the opportunity to enthrall them with a little more force. Worse still, there is no telling where the White Queen intends to lead them next.

Written by EVE L. EWING Art by CARMEN CARNERO Colors by NOLAN WOODARD Letters by VC’s TRAVIS LANHAM Design by JAY BOWEN Main cover art by CARMEN CARNERO & NOLAN WOODARD Variant covers by DAVID BALDEÓN & JESUS ABURTOV, MIGUEL MERCADO, and TERRY & RACHEL DODSON

Katherine “Kate” Pryde debuted in the pages of 1979’s X-Men #129 by creators Chris Claremont and John Byrne. Not long after Kate’s powers manifested, she became a prime pick for the Xavier Institute, just as it did for Emma Frost’s Massachusetts Academy. Kate ultimately joined the X-Men and quickly found a home for herself amongst the team. In the decades since, Kate has taken on several roles and monikers, not to mention the crux of several major storylines, all of which have cemented her place in Marvel history and pop culture.

Emma Frost’s first appearance was in the same issue, though her debut hardly informed readers of the full extent of her abilities. One of the most cunning and capable mutants on the planet, Emma, aka the White Queen, is a psychic who can transform into an unbreakable living diamond. While Emma originally commanded the mutant team known as the Hellions and played the role of an antagonist, she has become a much more complex character, eventually finding a place for herself alongside the rest of the Marvel Universe’s greatest mutant heroes.

Exceptional X-Men is just one of a half-dozen X-Men team-up titles that have helped kick off Marvel Comics’ ongoing “From the Ashes” event. Like the cast of Exceptional X-Men, those of NYX by writers Collin Kelly and Jackson Lanzing and artist Francesco Mortarino also comprise a non-official team roster that has come about naturally in the wake of the end of the Krakoan Era. While both of these titles focus on unofficial lineups, X-Factor by writer Mark Russell and Bob Quinn, X-Men by writer Jed MacKay and artist Ryan Stegman, X-Force by writer Geoffrey Thorne and artist Marcus To, and Uncanny X-Men by writer Gail Simone and artist David Marquez all feature more legitimate rosters of heroes.

Exceptional X-Men #2 is on sale now from Marvel Comics.

Source: Marvel Comics