Captain Marvel this coming winter. The X-Men and Captain Marvel's reunion may be cut short as the heroes will find themselves at odds with classic Marvel aliens the Brood in a massive cosmic crossover spanning the pages of both ongoing X-Men and Captain Marvel comic titles.
This team-up comes nearly four decades following legendary X-Men creative team of Chris Claremont, Paul Smith, and Dave Cockrum's classic story "The Brood Saga" from the early '80s, which saw the X-Men allying with Captain Marvel and Shi'ar Princess Lilandra to prevent a massive Brood invasion. As implied, the event spanned multiple issues and saw several of the team taken over by Brood before reverting to their human (and mutant) forms once again. Meanwhile, the Brood performed a series of experiments on Carol, which allowed their captive to access her all-powerful Binary abilities. Though other cosmic foes have risen to rival Captain Marvel and her allies, the Brood have remained a personal and recurring threat for Carol ever since. The cosmic storyline even had ramifications for future stories, which saw Professor Xavier form a team of "New Mutants" in the wake of the X-Men's ongoing battle with the aliens.
Now, dangerous rogue Brood factions. "Revenge of the Brood," from Captain Marvel #46-48, tackles events from the perspective of Captain Marvel and her attempts to survive within Brood territory alongside the X-Men. To coincide with the crossover, readers will find themselves treated to a special wraparound cover from artist Juan Frigeri on select issues, namely X-Men #19-21 and Captain Marvel #46-48. The crossover will culminate in a "galaxy-changing finale" in Captain Marvel #49.
A Captain Marvel/X-Men Crossover Years In The Making
The Captain Marvel books will be written by Kelly Thompson with art by Javier Pina and Sergio Dávila. The X-Men issues will be written by Gerry Duggan with art by Stefano Caselli. Thompson said in an interview with Captain Marvel and the X-Men battling the Brood since she first started on the series in 2019.
“The Brood were off the table for a long time due to some changes to their role in the Marvel Universe—and that was true, a little, of the X-Men too. So it's really exciting to have all of it coming together finally in one story—our biggest Captain Marvel story yet—feels right, y'know? It especially feels right because the Brood are truly [some] of Carol's greatest nemeses. [Considering] how we've been pushing on her powers, her role in the Marvel Universe, and her commitment to being a hero—it feels like things all coming to a head.”
“The Brood are back, and they're worse than ever,” Duggan added. “The X-Men must make some hard choices about their pest control services, and what about Broo, the former student at the X-Mansion, we thought he was the Lord Of The Brood? The problems are galactic and it's all hands on deck including Captain Marvel, Rogue, Gambit, and Polaris. Check for parasites.”
With a major character death heavily teased, this arc promises to pack an emotional punch for readers and leave lasting ramifications for all heroes involved. When it comes to their massive cosmic events, Marvel Comics has a tendency of delivering what their fans expect. It's yet to be seen if next year's crossover can capture the magic of the original "Brood Saga" featuring the X-Men and Captain Marvel, but the pieces are in place for an entertaining space adventure.
Marvel's modern "Brood Saga" begins with X-Men #19 on February 8th, 2023.
