Contains possible spoilers for Sentinels (2024) #1!

Marvel is reinventing the X-Men franchise's Sentinels, and the preview for the debut issue of their new limited series finds them using a repurposed version of a classic giant Sentinel robot to travel the world, in a bleak parallel to the mutant heroes' famous Blackbird jet. This is a perfect symbol for all the differences between the two groups, in addition to looking simply incredible on the page.

Marvel's preview for Sentinels #1 – written by Alex Paknadel, art by Justin Mason – has revealed that the titular team’s version of the X-Men’s Blackbird jet is a lobotomized classic Sentinel.

This series follows a team of mutant-hunting cyborg villains convinced they’re doing the right thing by taking down dangerous mutants. The preview sees the team tracking down Omega Red, who has apparently been running wild, and hints at tensions among the new squad, which could come into play as the series progresses.

Marvel's New Human-Sentinel Hybrids Use A Repurposed Giant Sentinel Robot As Their Transportation

Sentinels #1 – Written By Alex Paknadel; Art By Justin Mason; Color By Frederico Blee; Lettering By Travis Lanham

Marvel's Sentinels is among the most exciting titles to come as part of the publisher's relaunch of the X-Men franchise. This new take on the familiar mutant-hunting monstrous robots is another example of the franchise taking a step forward in a unique and exciting way, and the added revelation that the Sentinel team will be integrating other Sentinel technology into their mission brings even more weight to this new series. More than just a reboot, the creators behind the X-franchise continue to show determination to reimagine decades worth of lore.

As revealed in pre-release materials for Sentinels #1, this team is made up of victims of previous Marvel crossovers, transformed into cyborgs by Lawrence ‘Larry’ Trask, the mutant son of Bolivar Trask, who created the original Sentinels. The team are operating out of Graymalkin Prison, the former Xavier Mansion, which has been transformed into a base of anti-mutant operations. However, it’s unclear by what authority they’re operating. Cyclops' Alaska-based X-Men team are being watched by agents of the Office of National Emergency, a mutant-focused government group, but whether O.N.E know about Graymalkin either is unknown.

The New Sentinel Series Raises Questions Of Free Will As Its Protagonists Go On Their Debut Mission

Sentinels #1 – Available October 9 From Marvel Comics

In Gail Simone's Uncanny X-Men, basic mutant hunting is being done the anti-mutant group Orchis, to whom Sentinels were an integral part of their operation. It seems likely Graymalkin Prison and the new generation of hybrid Sentinel are part of the Orchis remnant, trying to regroup after the attack, but these answers remain to be determined.

Marvel's new Sentinels might be convinced they’re doing the right thing in opposing the X-Men, but if they have no choice, then they’re hardly better than the machines they use.

This transport Sentinel might also parallel the team themselves. To what extent the Sentinel-ized humans have agency, and can make their own decisions, or even think for themselves, is one of the most urgent questions that the Sentinels limited series will have to answer. Readers have already glimpsed dissent among the team; they are evidently not happy about this mission. Marvel's new Sentinels might be convinced they’re doing the right thing in opposing the X-Men, but if they have no choice, then they’re hardly better than the machines they use.

Sentinels #1 will be available October 9, 2024 from Marvel Comics.