X-Men Monday #280 – 2024 Reader Survey Results

Welcome, X-Fans, to the final uncanny edition of X-Men Monday at AIPT of 2024!

And what a year it was for Marvel’s merry mutants. We said goodbye to Krakoa and watched the X-Men rise from the ashes into an all-new, all-different era.

X-Men Monday wasn’t immune to the same changes Cyclops, Storm, Rogue, Wolverine, and the rest of the X-Men were going through as we said farewell to X-Men Senior Editor Jordan D. White and welcomed Conductor of X Tom Brevoort. With a change of the X-guard came the opportunity to chat with countless first-time guests, including Jed MacKay, Ryan Stegman, Gail Simone, and Murewa Ayodele! Here’s a visual look at those and other conversations from the past year.

But those creators weren’t the only ingredients to X-Men Monday’s success in 2024. This column wouldn’t be much without you, yes you, dear reader. So in this final X-Men Monday of the year, we’re spotlighting what you’ve loved about the “From the Ashes” era so far. And honestly, it’s fitting the results of the X-Men Monday 2024 Survey seem to reflect an X-era with that specific name.

So without further ado, based on 2,094 X-Fan responses, the winners (and second- and third-place runners-up) are…

Favorite Ongoing X-Series

1. Phoenix – 47.8% (999 votes)
2. Uncanny X-Men – 17.5% (366 votes)
3. X-Force – 12.8% (268 votes)

AIPT: Stephanie, how does it feel to learn X-Men Monday readers voted Phoenix their favorite ongoing X-series of 2024?

Stephanie Phillips: Ummmm what?! Thank you, Jean fans. That’s a really impressive turnout, but also exactly what I have come to expect from one of the most loyal and engaged fanbases in all of comics. Jean fans are truly incredible. Thank you all so much. 

AIPT: They sure are a [Phoenix] force to be reckoned with! What have you enjoyed the most about your time writing this series and engaging with its loyal fans?

Stephanie: There has been a lot of excitement to play in the cosmic sandbox of the Marvel Universe. I haven’t spent much time here and it’s VAST, which is awesome and overwhelming all at once. I’ve also come to know the fans and their incredible passion, which is just fuel for writing Jean’s story. That’s really become one of the best parts of writing this book. 

AIPT: Phoenix #6 ended with Captain Marvel, Sif, and Rocket Raccoon joining Jean and Nova. Any teases for what comes next?

Stephanie: The next issue will showcase how the team is able to work together while also demonstrating why Thanos is such a dangerous foe. Thanos isn’t really someone you can get the drop on. He’s always two steps ahead of everyone on the board and while I think Jean could defeat Thanos on the battlefield — Thanos thinks this too — Thanos needs to find other ways to take on Jean and her team. I also think the ending to the next issue might be one of my favorite cliffhangers… I’m really excited to see how fans react to it. 

AIPT: And Tom, any reactions to the top 3 ongoing X-series as voted by X-Men Monday readers?

Tom Brevoort: There are definitely a lot of extremely passionate, extremely vocal Jean Grey fans out there, I’ve been hearing from them regularly since taking over the line. So it’s no wonder Phoenix pulled in three times as many votes as its nearest competitor.

Favorite X-Mini-Series

1. Sentinels – 47.1% (900 votes)
2. Mystique – 22.7% (434 votes)
3. Dazzler – 20.8% (398 votes)

AIPT: Alex, how does it feel to learn X-Men Monday readers voted Sentinels their favorite X-mini-series of 2024?

Alex Paknadel: I’m delighted! When I was asked to pitch on Sentinels, it was made very clear to me that it was going to be the big swing book of the line, so we had no idea what kind of reception it was going to get. Folks are (rightly) very protective of the X-Men, and of mutants more generally — myself included — so I’m thrilled that we managed to earn X-Men Monday readers’ trust with what I hope is a compelling and nuanced story. I’ve loved the X-Men since before I could spell it, so this is a dream gig for me. Thank you so, so much for embracing it. Truly. Means the world to me.

AIPT: Anything you can tease about Sentinels‘ final issues?

Alex: Well, it should be pretty clear by now that there’s a nasty secret underpinning our Sentinels’ creation. We’re going to dig into that, and I can promise you that it’s consequential and in keeping with the best X-tradition. You don’t have to be a continuity expert to know what’s going on — this is a book for everybody — but if that’s your thing then I think/hope you’ll find something in there to enjoy. And as for the team itself, with Sentinels #3 you can already see deep fissures starting to form. Those are going to widen to a pretty dangerous degree. In the words of the great Sue Sylvester, “I am going to create an environment that is so toxic, no one will want to be a part of that club.”

AIPT: Tom, any reaction to seeing so many X-Fans name a mini-series about mutant-hunting cyborgs their favorite X-mini-series of the year?

Tom: Well, my hope was that we’d be able to do something fun and unexpected with Sentinels, and that fans would be able to get past the seemingly-shocking series title and concept to find a unique story underneath. This is all a testament to the work that Alex Paknadel, Justin Mason, and editor Darren Shan have been putting in here.

Favorite X-Character

1. Phoenix – 47.7% (998 votes)
2. Captain Britain (Betsy Braddock) – 12.6% (263 votes)
3. Gambit – 6.7% (140 votes)

AIPT: Stephanie, what do you think it is about Jean Grey that so many X-Fans resonate with so strongly?

Stephanie: Jean represents the core of what makes the X-Men so compelling — humanity wrapped in immense power, struggling with identity, morality, and control. She’s a character who carries the weight of duality — strength and vulnerability, hope and destruction. At her core, Jean is so deeply relatable because she’s someone who wants to do the right thing but often faces impossible choices. 

AIPT: And what do you love the most about getting inside Jean’s always fascinating, omega-level brain?

Stephanie: I love getting to explore the sheer depth of her character. Jean isn’t just a telepath or telekinetic, she’s someone who exists on multiple planes at once — experiencing the physical world, the mental landscapes of those around her, and the infinite possibilities of her own power. That creates this fascinating interplay between her inner strength and the immense vulnerability that comes with being so open to everything and everyone. She’s really unlike any other character I’ve written before, and I love the challenge of getting into her mindset. 

AIPT: What are your thoughts on those top 3 characters, Tom?

Tom: Again here, it’s the vocal activism of the Jean Grey fans who carry the day. They just do more to walk the walk rather than simply talking the talk than the advocates of other X-characters.

Breakout X-Character of 2024

1. Adani – 42.2% (842 votes)
2. Bronze – 10.4% (208 votes)
3. The Krakoan – 6.7% (133 votes)

AIPT: Stephanie, how does it feel to see Adani — such a new character — with such a commanding lead over her competition?

Stephanie: That’s so freaking cool… Adani was created to help hold a mirror to Jean — Jean may see herself in Adani, but Adani, in turn, does NOT see herself reflected in Jean. I was really interested in giving Jean that tension. Whenever Jean thinks she understands Adani and her motivations, Adani surprises Jean. I was excited to write that dynamic and I’m really excited that fans are welcoming to Adani as well. 

AIPT: What’s next for Adani in the pages of Phoenix?

Stephanie: Power! That’s what it’s been about for Adani… power as freedom from a universe that has constantly disappointed her. How that will be resolved between Jean and Adani will take center stage as we move forward. 

AIPT: Tom, your X-Office has produced a record number of new characters — any reactions to seeing the top 3?

Tom: I might have guessed that Bronze would be a favorite, but I’d never have pegged that Adani would outdo her. Don’t ever underestimate the passion of the Jean Grey fanbase! Stephanie Phillips, Alessandro Miracolo, and Associate Editor Annalise Bissa deserve all the credit here.

AIPT: And since Hellion fans found a way to get his new alter ego so high in a category loaded with brand-new characters, any teases for what the new year has in store for Julian?

Tom: Julian’s going to continue to be a key player in NYX. Issues #8 and #9 feature him prominently.

Favorite X-Couple/X-Romance of 2024

1. Phoenix and Cyclops – 52.9% (1,097 votes)
2. Rogue and Gambit – 28.3% (587 votes)
3. Psylocke and Greycrow – 7.6% (157 votes)

AIPT: Cyclops and Phoenix’s romance has been a part of comic readers’ lives since the 1960s. Stephanie, in your opinion, what is it about these two that resonates so strongly with readers?

Stephanie: That honeymoon phase of a relationship gives way to a strong companionship that should be able to weather all kinds of storms. Scott and Jean have certainly weathered those storms and remain strong because of that. I think there’s something very real about the journey their romance has taken, especially given its longevity. Perfection doesn’t exist, but finding a partner who will work through the imperfections with you is just what Scott and Jean have in one another.

AIPT: Any teases for what comes next for these lovebirds in the pages of Phoenix?

Stephanie: I wanted Jean and Scott’s relationship to remain strong throughout the story I’m telling but, ultimately, this is Jean’s story, and I feel it’s important that this mission she’s on is solely focused on her. She talks to Scott psychically, like we’ve seen in previous issues, but Jean needs to resolve what’s happening on her own. 

AIPT: Your thoughts on Scott and Jean landing in first place, Tom?

Tom: This pretty well tracks with what I would have guessed, though I wouldn’t have thought Scott and Jean would take the top spot. Once again, it’s those dedicated Jean Grey fans making their presence known!

AIPT: And those are the winners, X-Fans! I’m confident every one of you will accept the results and congratulate your fellow readers. But before I send you on your way to ring in the new year, how about some eXclusive sneak peeks at the year ahead, courtesy of our friends at Marvel?

Let’s kick off the festivities with your favorite X-couple…

Until next time, X-Fans, stay exceptional — and Happy New Year!