X-Men Monday #285 – 2025 Valentine’s Day Special

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

“Uncanny?” I meant romantic, as this is our annual Valentine’s Day Special! Kicking off in 2022, the X-Men Monday Valentine’s Day Special quickly became one of my favorite column traditions, as each year’s edition became increasingly unhinged. If you missed them, see for yourself!

• 2022 Valentine’s Day Special
• 2023 Valentine’s Day Special
• 2024 Valentine’s Day Special

But all those took place during the First Krakoan Age — we’re in the “From the Ashes” era, which means an all-new, all-different X-Office ready to reveal their secret mutant crushes. Let’s see what they have to say.

AIPT: Welcome, everybody, and Happy Valentine’s Day! First, what, in your opinion, is the greatest X-romance of all time?

David Pepose: Redd and Slym. Theirs is a love that transcended time — they raised a child and fought Apocalypse over the span of their honeymoon! I love The Adventures of Cyclops and Phoenix because it was such a smart way to solidify Scott and Jean’s relationship in such a short period of time.

Tom Brevoort: I’d really like to say Scott and Jean, but I think we all know that it’s Magneto and himself.

Jason Loo: Dazzler and Longshot. Their love stood the test of time and multiverses (616 and Mojoverse).

Stephanie Phillips: Rogue and Gambit (sorry, Jean fans… but the inability to touch the person you love most is so heartbreakingly romantic).

Erica Schultz: Rogue and Gambit. Hands down. Anna Marie and Remy have had their ups, downs, and all arounds, but they’ve been making it work. They have the kind of love that transcends any multiversal time warp or chaotic cosmic cabal. And, I’ve said this before, but my husband and I had Gambit and Rogue action figures on our wedding cake, so they ESPECIALLY share a special place in our hearts.

Ashley Allen: I mean, we all wouldn’t be here without the world’s messiest divorce of Xavier and Magneto. #1 chaotic duo. Great job, guys. 

But in all seriousness, Rogue and Gambit hold a special place in my heart. They intrinsically understand each other and, in the world of X-drama, their dynamic always holds a special place in my heart.

Murewa Ayodele: Definitely Professor Charles Xavier and Magneto. At this point, most of the X-Men stories and struggles are just a product of everyone being dragged into their lover’s quarrel. Those guys should really get a room — the kind Jean Grey, Scott Summers, and Logan had on the Moon. One of these days, they’ll kiss, the book will say, “The End.” and X-Men books will stop getting published. Then we’ll realize, that’s what everything has been building up to.

AIPT: Who is Marvel’s most romantic mutant?

Murewa: I would say Gambit. Many mutant heroes would sacrifice anything to save the world — including their relationships. Many mutant villains would do the same for their precious goals too. Gambit, however, will let the world burn for the woman he loves and still remember to keep some flowers. He wears his affection on his sleeves and is never afraid to express his feelings. I think he is the most romantic mutant.

Erica: #1: Remy LeBeau can charm anyone at any time in any place on this planet or the next. Canon goes back and forth on whether this is because of a mutant power or not, but it’s Remy… for sure.

#2: Logan. Why Logan? Think of all the literal heartbreaks he’s had, and yet he still tries to find love. If that isn’t romantic, what is?

David: Wolverine. He’s the best there is at what he does, and what he does is exude unrequited longing.

Ashley: Kurt Wagner, my sweet boy. He is so thoughtful in his actions and gestures. I mean, come on. He created a greenhouse for Storm when she was missing home. How much cuter can you get?

Tom: It’s the Beast. Must be the pheromones. Plus, that fur is silky soft.

AIPT: There are a lot of X-Men characters, but which X-character has untapped romantic potential?

Jason: Jubilee. I’m yearning to see her let her sparks fly for some serious connection.

David: Cable, of course — only we saw some of that come to fruition this week in Cable: Love & Chrome #2!

Erica: That’s a tough one because what’s romantic to one person is icky to another. I think if Laura took a moment from the mission, she could possibly have a romantic streak… Maybe Elektra will give her pointers, though Elektra’s love life is a whole other story entirely.

Ashley: Magik! It’s never really been a part of her story based on her past, but Illyana has a lot of love to give and being able to get her to a place emotionally where she’s ready to start accepting some of those connections would be a full-circle moment.

Tom: You could pick any one of the new mutants that we’ve introduced over the past few months, any of the Outliers or the Exceptionals or the new Adult-Onsetters, really.

Murewa: Doop. Why? Because Doop is Doop.

AIPT: Let’s play multiversal matchmaker! Pair an X-character with a character from a non-Marvel franchise. Who do you ship?

Tom: Temper and My Hero Academia‘s Shoto Todoroki is too obvious, isn’t it?

Erica: I think Shayera Hol and Logan would make a good pair. They both give and take beatings and are very guarded. Also, Shayera is a redhead, and you know how Logan feels about redheads…

David: Phoenix and Captain Planet. He’s the only one who could keep up!

Murewa: I would ship Maggott from the X-Men with Arm-Fall-Off-Boy from DC Comics just to watch how disgusting the body horror would get on their dates.

I’m sick. I know. I’m sorry.

Ashley: Hmmmm, maybe Emma Frost and Bruce Wayne. You see the vision, right? But definitely not that Batman guy. Gross.

Stephanie: Emma Frost and Nick Miller from New Girl. The entire vibe of the relationship is based around the one time Nick said “Stop being mean to me or I swear to god I’m gonna fall in love with you.” But Emma didn’t stop being mean.

via GIPHY

Jason: Glob and Padma Lakshmi. Maybe just as Top Chef co-hosts where Padma makes Glob blush and giddy throughout the show.

AIPT: OK, finally, who is your secret mutant crush? Don’t worry, we won’t tell them.

Stephanie: Magik… demons… big swords… be still my heart.

David: Siryn. It’s the accent.

Murewa: Technically not a mutant, but a character in the X-Men franchise… my secret crush is Rita Wayword (aka Spiral). There’s something about a tall warrior chick with six arms that feels right.

Jason: Monet St. Croix. Yeah, I know she’s waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay out of my league.

Erica: Have I not been saying his name enough? REMY LeBEAU!

Ashley: EEK don’t tell anyone but very much the one and only Remy LeBeau. *runs away from Rogue*

Tom: Ember.

AIPT: And on that note — thanks for taking the time to celebrate Valentine’s Day with X-Men Monday, everybody! 

Now, X-Fans, we didn’t get you heart-shaped chocolates — we got you something way better with fewer calories: eXtra romantic, eXclusive preview art from upcoming X-Men comics, courtesy of our friends at Marvel!

Until next time, X-Fans, stay exceptional!