An iconic X-Men hero is undergoing a major transformation, as Marvel showcases their new codename, costume and powers, while pitting them against one of the deadliest villains in comic history.
Debuting 1992, the telekinetic ninja warrior Kwannon has had a number of codenames, from Psylocke to Revanche to the Lady in White. Now, she’s undergoing another hellacious transformation – one which plunges her into an apocalyptic world of demons.
That’s because Marvel’s Mangaverse is making its grand return, marking the line’s 25th anniversary with a return to this unique reality – one where magic has supplanted technology, and many iconic heroes have undergone near-total reinvention.
Psylocke Becomes a Mutant Ghost Rider as Ghostlocke
In a recent press release, Marvel announced the upcoming Marvel Mangaverse: Ghostlocke #1. The issue will reinvent X-Men hero Kwannon, aka Psylocke, as Ghostlocke, now with a new design and powers reminiscent of Ghost Rider.
In Yuji Kaku’s amazing cover art, Kwannon is shown in a leather jacket and jeans, with a spiked collar and chains similar to those worn by Johnny Blaze. Psylocke’s iconic bright pink telekinesis replaces Ghost Rider’s Hellfire, forming the wheels of her ‘Shinigami bike’ and engulfing her head – a twist on the ‘butterfly’ pattern that traditionally represents her using her telepathic abilities. The issue’s summary reads:
Bodies are lining the streets as Cletus Kasady, A.K.A. Carnage, carves a bloody swathe through humans and yokai alike. Together with her Shinigami bike, Kwannon, A.K.A. Ghostlocke, aims the Spirit of Vengeance at Carnage in a bid to stop his twisted cataclysmic desires in Marvel Mangaverse: Ghostlocke #1 from writer Alyssa Wong (Deadpool) and Michael YG (Iron Fist), in shops on September 23.
Psylocke is best known for her use of a ‘psychic knife’ which can destroy the minds of her target, however this power now seems to have been combined with a godlike Spirit of Vengeance. However, even with her impressive new psionic Hellfire, will that be enough to combat a version of Carnage corrupted by magic?
The Mangaverse Is Betting Big on X-Men Heroines
The Mangaverse’s return will comprise five one-shot issues, beginning with Marvel Mangaverse:Web of Blood and concluding with Web of Destiny. The overarching story will see Mangaverse variants of Miles Morales, Laura Kinney and Magik attempt to prevent “a looming apocalypse [which] threatens to end the world in a sea of flames.”
Yuji Kaku’s art shows Kinney/X-23 covered in a spreading virus that’s growing eyes down the side of her body, popping serrated claws, while Magik is shown with a glowing green sword and new headdress. It seems that the Mangaverse’s return is putting a lot of focus on X-Men heroines.
However, it’s also all about magic. In the years since fans last saw the Mangaverse, magic has taken over this timeline, nullifying technology in an event that’s transformed the world. Villains like Carnage are no longer just aliens – they’re infused with magic that makes them deadlier than ever.
Marvel Is Returning to the Well of Combo-Hero Success
Psylocke becoming Ghostlocke is an awesome transformation, but one that won’t surprise fans of Marvel’s recent comics. Over the last decade, Marvel has leant more and more into inventing new characters by combining already existing favorites, and Ghost Rider is the main ingredient in several successes.
New characters like Sorcerer Supreme Kushala, Hellverine and Hell Hulk all essentially combine an existing design with Ghost Rider, with chains, spikes and flames making for a hardcore aesthetic that can intensify any already-badass character.
Now, it’s Psylocke’s turn, as the X-Men heavyweight gets a new variant in the Marvel Mangaverse – one who will ride a mystically enhanced bike against the vicious serial killer symbiote Carnage, now more demon than alien.
Marvel Mangaverse: Ghostlocke #1 is coming September 23 from Marvel Comics.
- Movie(s)
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X-Men (2000), X2, X-Men: The Last Stand (2006), X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009), X-Men: First Class (2011), The Wolverine (2013), X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014), Deadpool (2016), X-Men: Apocalypse (2016), Logan (2017), Deadpool 2 (2018), Dark Phoenix (2019), The New Mutants, Deadpool & Wolverine (2024)
- TV Show(s)
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X-Men: Pryde of the X-Men, X-Men (1992), X-Men: Evolution (2000), Wolverine and the X-Men (2008), Marvel Anime: Wolverine, Marvel Anime: X-Men, Legion (2017), The Gifted (2017), X-Men ’97 (2024)
- Video Game(s)
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X-Men: Children of the Atom (1994), Marvel Super Heroes (1995), X-Men vs. Street Fighter (1996), Marvel Super Heroes vs. Street Fighter (1997), Marvel vs. Capcom (1998), X-Men: Mutant Academy (2000), Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes (2000), X-Men: Mutant Academy 2 (2001), X-Men: Next Dimension (2002), Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds (2011), Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 (2011), X-Men Legends (2005), X-Men Legends 2: Rise of Apocalypse (2005), X2: Wolverine’s Revenge (2003), X-Men (1993), X-Men 2: Clone Wars (1995), X-Men: Mutant Apocalypse (1994)
- First Film
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X-Men (2000)
- Character(s)
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Professor X, Cyclops, Iceman, Beast, Angel, Phoenix, Wolverine, Gambit, Rogue, Storm, Jubilee, Morph, Nightcrawler, Havok, Banshee, Colossus, Magneto, Psylocke, Juggernaut, Cable, X-23
- Comic Release Date
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213035,212968