Summary

• Legendary writer Chris Claremont wrote a backup story for X-Men #35, bringing together the new family unit of Nightcrawler, Mystique, Destiny, and Rogue for the first time – in what is set to be an emotionally impactful story, decades in the making.
• Claremont first proposed the idea that Mystique and Destiny were Nightcrawler's biological parents decades ago, but Marvel only recently committed to making this groundbreaking change to X-Men lore.
• Claremont's story "Getting To Know You" promises to deepen the relationships within Nightcrawler's family – while also likely setting up a dramatic arc for them moving forward.

Legendary X-Men writer Chris Claremont returns once more to tell a story he first hinted at decades ago, as Marvel celebrates a major milestone for the franchise. Claremont's backup story in X-Men #35 will give him the opportunity to explore Nightcrawler's relationship with his biological parents, now that they have been reunited.

In a a new era begins.

It is always a significant affair when Claremont delivers a new X-story, but this one is particularly meaningful, as "Nightcrawler: Getting To Know You" serves as the realization of an idea first conceived of forty years ago.

In addition to delivering the finale of the vaulted Krakoan Era, X-Men #35 will double as Uncanny X-Men #700, under Marvel's legacy numbering system. The original contiguous Uncanny X-Men run ended in 2011 with issue #544.

Chris Claremont Returns To X-Men For A Groundbreaking Story

"Nightcrawler: Getting To Know You" – Written By Claremont; Art by Salvador Larroca; Color By GURU-eFX; Lettering By VC's Clayton Cowles

Chris Claremont has the distinction of being the writer who will take Nightcrawler, Destiny, and Mystique – as well as Mystique's adopted daughter Rogue – on the next step of their journey as a family.

"One would think it's a good thing to discover their true family," Nightcrawler narrates on the opening page of "Getting To Know You." "For me, anything but," he adds. X-Men's Kurt Wagner has long been among the mutants who have the most difficulty finding their identity, in large part due to the way he is perennially shunned for his appearance. The tumult and uncertainty of his history has only added to that. Now, Marvel has finally established his definitive backstory – opening up new avenues for the character, but as it seems, not necessarily making his journey any less dramatically fulfilling.

In "Getting To Know You," Chris Claremont has the distinction of being the writer who will take Nightcrawler, Destiny, and Mystique – as well as Mystique's adopted daughter Rogue – on the next step of their journey as a family. This is apropos, because it was Claremont who initially proposed the idea of Nightcrawler's parentage. It took Marvel decades to put the story on the page, and now its original creator will be the one to chart the next step for one of comics' most thrilling family stories.

The preview page for the story released by CBR shows Nightcrawler and Destiny sitting on a picnic blanket, as Rogue and Mystique are shown sparring with swords behind them. Artist Salvador Larroca packs a great deal of family trauma, and years worth of complex dynamics, into just this single image; readers should anticipate that the whole story will be as visually rich as it is emotionally dense. As Claremont's prose hints, as much as Nightcrawler's discovery of his true origin was resolution of a kind, it will lead to an entirely new arc for the iconic character.

"X-Men Origins: Blue" Made Claremont's Idea Canon After Decades Of Delay

Better Late Than Never

As much ground as Claremont broke during his tenure, some of his most progressive ideas never made it on to the page. Among those was his proposed origin story for Nightcrawler.

Chris Claremont first originated the idea that shapeshifter Mystique and origin story for Nightcrawler. However, the hints were there, and the subtext was there – and in due time, Marvel and society itself caught up to the pace of Claremont's vision for the characters.

Last year, Marvel canonized Mystique and Destiny​ as Nightcrawler's parents in X-Men Blue: Origins #1. Though Mystique had been established as his mother years earlier, an alternate had been provided by the controversial "Draco" storyline from the mid-2000s, which established the demonic-looking ancient mutant Azazel as Nightcrawler's "father." For some time, X-Men's editorial team considered this definitive, but ultimately, they were persuaded to revise the character's backstory for what should be the final time.

X-Men Blue: Origins recontextualizes much of this messy history, consolidating it into what ultimately was one of the high-points of X-Men's Krakoan Era. In part, this was because the issue provided more than just definitive long-awaited confirmation of Nightcrawler's true origin, but because, in a sense, it was a form of catharsis for many readers, who had wanted the story to be affirmed. Now, Chris Claremont's "Getting To Know You" will be able to build on that foundation, in an emotionally resonant story that may very well set a high bar for the X-franchise's next era.

X-Men #35 Will Be A Defining Issue For The Franchise

Endings & Beginnings

Chris Claremont's inclusion was essential for a true Uncanny X-Men anniversary, and it is incredibly gratifying to readers that he gets to do so by delivering his take on Nightcrawler, Destiny, and Mystique.

Overall, the preview for X-Men #35/Uncanny X-Men #700 makes it clear that this will be a huge issue, serving as both a coda to the Krakoan Era, as well as a starting point for the "From the Ashes" relaunch. The mile issue appears set to push the franchise in a new direction, as well as honoring its past by including a variety of superstar creators from throughout X-history. Chris Claremont's inclusion was essential for a true Uncanny X-Men anniversary, and it is incredibly gratifying to readers that he gets to do so by delivering his take on Nightcrawler, Destiny, and Mystique.

The idyllic picnic imagery of the preview page for "Getting To Know You" belies the difficult road these characters have traveled to come to this point of reunification. Their relationship proved to be an essential part of the Krakoan Era's climax, in a way, as tensions in Mystique and Destiny's relationship were resolved; further, mental blocks in Destiny's mind, placed there long ago by Charles Xavier, were removed, allowing her to feel the full extent of her love for her son for the first time.

All of this culminated with Nightcrawler embracing his mothers for the first time – but now, readers must ask what comes next for them. Chris Claremont's "Getting To Know You" won't provide all the answers, but it will likely set the tone for stories to come. At the very least, it will provide exactly what the title promises, an opportunity for these characters to become better acquainted. In the process, X-Men readers will get to know each of them better than ever before, making it a must-read story.

Source: CBR

X-Men #35/Uncanny X-Men #700 will be available June 5, 2024 from Marvel Comics.