Comic Books

X-Men Monday #313 – Justina Ireland Talks ‘Cloak or Dagger’

Plus, an eXclusive look at ‘Cloak or Dagger’ #1!

September 22, 2025

Welcome, X-Fans, to another uncanny edition of X-Men Monday at AIPT!

Are Cloak and Dagger X-Men characters? It’s a common question, given the confusion around whether Tyrone Johnson and Tandy Bowen are mutants or something else. Well, despite spots on the Dark X-Men roster during Dark Reign and numerous other appearances in X-titles over the years, they are neither mutants nor X-Men characters (for now). However, the new Cloak or Dagger series — which kicks off October 29, 2025 — is part of the X-Men: Age of Revelation event. So, that’s a good enough reason for me to dedicate an X-Men Monday to these two fan-favorite characters. (And based on all the questions I received, X-Fans don’t seem to mind!)

Plus, this series allows me to welcome another first-time guest to X-Men Monday: Writer Justina Ireland, who most recently wrote Cyclops’ X-Men team in “The 8 Deaths of Spider-Man” arc of Amazing Spider-Man. Let’s see what Justina has to say.

Courtesy of Marvel Comics

AIPT: Welcome to X-Men Monday, Justina! When I spoke to Tom Brevoort about the origins of Age of Revelation, he mentioned that once creators beyond the X-Office learned what Jed MacKay and the X-creators were cooking up, they were interested in joining in on the fun. So, how did you — and Cloak and Dagger — become a part of Marvel’s latest X-event?

Justina Ireland: Editor Nick Lowe — who I worked with on a number of Spidey projects, most recently a run on Amazing Spider-Man with writer Joe Kelly — asked if I’d be interested in writing Cloak and Dagger. My answer, of course, was yes. Who says no to getting to write Cloak and Dagger? When I realized I could write them as a married couple, I was doubly interested. I think there’s something incredibly fun about seeing my favorite characters grow up. They don’t have a mortgage, but they’ve got other grown-up problems.

Courtesy of Marvel Comics

AIPT: X-Fans takunisdope wants to know what originally drew you to Cloak and Dagger as a writer. Was there a particular story or moment that sparked your interest in writing them?

Justina: As a kid, they were one of the few comic book couples who looked like my parents. They normalized this thing that seemed highly unusual in my neighborhood, and they were a couple of the characters that really made me feel seen. I grew up in the 1980s in Southern California (grandma emoji), and even in a place known for being pretty open-minded, my parents being married was very much A Thing that ruined a lot of childhood memories. I mean, you’ve never really lived until some old lady has screamed racist obscenities at your mom and dad in a Chuck E. Cheese.

Real talk, there’s something powerful in seeing something of your lived experience reflected in comics, and I’ve followed Ty and Tandy whenever they’ve popped up over the comics and adapted material continuum. It’s always bothered me that things seem to have conspired to keep them apart as much as possible, so I’m glad I can explore just what their marriage might look like.

Courtesy of Marvel Comics

AIPT: For readers who are just learning about Cloak or Dagger, what’s your elevator pitch for the three-issue series?

Justina: She’s light, he’s dark, but they complete each other because they have no choice! Through a wacky consequence of a deadly virus, this married couple can’t exist on the same plane at the same time. How do they make it work? Tune into this three-issue mini to find out!

AIPT: As Cloak and Dagger aren’t traditionally X-characters, X-Fan Jason is curious to learn how this series connects to the Age of Revelation and the X-Virus.

Justina: Tandy and Ty could have escaped the virus just like everyone else, but they’re heroes, and that, of course, makes their lives complicated. They decide to help evacuate people out of the reach of the virus, but are exposed in the process. And their infection has consequences. Now, they’re helping to fight for humanity’s survival (literally) while navigating the difficulty of their affliction. One of the things I like about this mini is it’s clear they weren’t mutants, but are now. And the people they’re working with are mutants. Because mutants aren’t a monolith! And we can get along with people who aren’t just like us. Cut to: The More You Know gif.

Courtesy of Marvel Comics

AIPT: X-Fan joseph johnson wonders what inspired the decision to make it so Cloak and Dagger can’t exist on the same plane at the same time — especially when dealing with a love story like Cloak and Dagger’s, which is defined by their need, desire, and longing to be together.

Justina: Well, I hear there’s this video game called Marvel Rivals that’s really popular… but also, every love story needs an obstacle. Because, honestly, the course of true love never did run smooth. I heard that on a podcast, once (this is a joke, please laugh).

AIPT: Haha, OK, on to X-Fan billy williams, who says that given we’ll be X years in the future, can we expect any changes to Cloak and Dagger’s personalities?

Justina: They’re more mature, a little more seasoned. Tyrone and Tandy are still heroes, but being a decade older, they’ve definitely changed. For example, Tandy drinks her coffee black. Crazy, right?!

AIPT: Someone update Tandy’s Wikipedia page! Now, speaking of love stories, X-Fan avery lang has loved Cloak and Dagger ever since seeing them in Marvel Rivals— literally avery’s favorite soulmates ever. And to find out they have a comic book coming next month where they’re married? OMG. Avery’s question is how much of a love story will this be for the two soulmates?

Justina: I’m sorry, Avery, they are married. It’s mostly fighting about chores. Even soulmates hate doing the dishes.

Courtesy of Marvel Comics

AIPT: X-Fan Samuel R says since Cloak and Dagger portray unity through dichotomy on many things, including race, powers, upbringings, world views, and more, how are the Fenris twins used to explore that?

Justina: One of the things I love about comics is that if you know the history behind a character, their appearance can become a nuanced portrayal of real life and the complexity of the human experience. For those who don’t know, the Fenris Twins are German white supremacists and Nazi sympathizers who were created because their scientist father loved eugenics. So, LOL, nuance! All readers need to know is that Fenris really believe that people should be their best mutant selves. Or die.

Courtesy of Marvel Comics

AIPT: X-Fan john henry says one of the themes of Cloak or Dagger seems to be intertwining fate, and the solicitation for the last issue says there will be consequences for reality as a whole. Can readers expect an upgrade to Cloak and Dagger’s powers to be a major plot point in this story or the Age of Revelation as a whole?

Justina: Not a major plot point, but everyone learns a little something after a decade together. Especially when your existence is intrinsically linked. Sorry, John, it’s only three issues. We do what we can.

Courtesy of Marvel Comics

AIPT: Finally, you’re collaborating with artist Lorenzo Tammetta on Cloak or Dagger. What can readers expect from Lorenzo’s visuals?

Justina: I’m in awe of how great every artist I’ve worked with has been at their craft, and Lorenzo is no exception. The art is so wonderful, silly, and serious, and really lovely. I’m really excited for everyone to see what Lorenzo has created because it’s so much fun.

AIPT: And the good news is, they’re about to see a bit of what Lorenzo’s been working on. But first, thanks for stopping by X-Men Monday, Justina! Remember, X-Fans, Cloak or Dagger #1 goes on sale October 29, 2025.

Now, as promised, here are four eXclusive unlettered pages from Cloak or Dagger #1 by artist Lorenzo Tammetta and color artist VC’s Joe Caramagna, courtesy of our friends at Marvel!

Courtesy of Marvel Comics

But wait, there’s more! Here’s a variant cover to Cloak or Dagger #1 by artist David Nakayama…

Courtesy of Marvel Comics

Another variant to Cloak or Dagger #1 by artist Fan Yang…

Courtesy of Marvel Comics

And one more by artist Corin Howell.

Courtesy of Marvel Comics

For more X-Men: Age of Revelation information, be sure to check out the rest of our recent event coverage:

Next X-Men Monday – September 29, 2025

In the next edition of X-Men Monday, writer Stephanie Phillips returns to discuss the end of her Phoenix run and the upcoming X-Men: Age of Revelation series Binary!