Back in the day, classic creator John Byrne actually made 32 issues of an X-Men comic, titled X-Men Elsewhen, which has never been published anywhere. Until now. Abrams ComicArts, along with Marvel, will publish X-Men Elsewhen as a three-volume series, presenting Byrne’s alternate take on the characters.
Decades ago, John Byrne was part of an iconic run on the X-Men as co-plotter and artist, along with writer Chris Claremont and inker Terry Austin. Then, about seven years ago, Byrne, co-inker Paul Wills, colorists Lovern Kindzierski and Leonard O’Grady, and letterers Byrne and Patrick Brosseau, returned to those storylines — with one, big difference. At the end of the “Dark Phoenix Saga,” Jean Grey survives.
With this small “what if?” style change, reverberations throughout the Marvel Universe happen, and X-Men Elsewhen Volume 1 will find the characters traveling to the Savage Land, fighting the Sentinels, and interacting with the Fantastic Four, Avengers, Spider-Man and more.
“They say you can’t go home again,” said writer/artist John Byrne via a press release. “They’re wrong.”
“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.”
The three volumes of Elsewhen will be released as part of Abrams ComicArts’ Marvel Arts line, and run over 600 pages. Volume 1 will hit in April 2026, with Volume 2 in Fall 2026, and Volume 3 in Spring 2027. All three volumes will be released as 7.5″ x 11″ hardcovers, and feature over 200 pages of story and art each, as well as bonus materials.
“We’re incredibly excited to be publishing X-Men: Elsewhen with John Byrne,” said Joseph Montagne, Publisher of Abrams ComicArts. “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.”
Check out the cover to X-Men Elsewhen Volume 1 below.
X-Men Elsewhen Volume 1
By John Byrne
AbramsComicArts | April 2026
US $35.99 | CAN $49.99 | UK £28.99
Hardcover | 240 Pages
7.5 x 11 Inches | Full-color illustrations throughout
HC ISBN: 9781419787287 • eBook ISBN: 9798896840183
AbramsBooks.com/DETAIL
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