REVIEW: ‘Psylocke’ Issue #1 (2024)

Psylocke #1 (2024) is published by Marvel Comics. Written by Alyssa Wong, art by Vincenzo Carratú, colors by Fer Sifuentes-Sujo and letters by Ariana Maher. This issue is part of the From the Ashes relaunch of the X-books. Sent on vacation by Cyclops, Psylocke (also known as Kwannon) still finds her way into trouble.

The pacing of this first issue is swift and sufficient. Psylocke starts in a cold open mission before heading to the X-Men’s headquarters. Then, she travels to an Alaskan cabin with her boyfriend, Greycrow. Finally, Kwannon travels to an expensive and twisted auction, which is all in the first half of the comic. The comic moves quickly but also provides ample time for all of those scenes. The story features the various strands of Psylocke’s current life and her struggles. Newcomers and hardcore fans alike will be caught up and placed on the same page.

Psylocke #1 (2024) ties in directly to the current X-Men run, avoiding complicated clashes. The story rapidly taps into the most significant conflict in the chapter: Psylocke’s relationship with killing. It is there from the start, with Kwannon fulfilling a rescue meeting without slaying a soul. But that restraint becomes harder when the stakes increase. The action is exceptional, moving at a breakneck pace. It is impossible to tell where the comic is going, escalating to an entirely unexpected place.

The speed and the structure expertly fit Psylocke as a character. Psylocke’s pace is rapid and bouncing across locations because that’s what Kwannon is like. Part of why Cyclops sends her away from the X-Men is her ability to stop and relax. All of the various elements in her life threaten to overlap and overwhelm her. She can be dangerous and dark, delivering brutal threats towards her enemies. But there is a heart in there that she and Wong are trying to find.

The dialogue and the captions are terrific. Trying to find vulnerability in a weapon that has been born to kill is hard, and the lovely writing finds profound intricacies. A few guest stars are in the book, including some classic X-Men villains. However, none of them seek to steal Psylocke’s spotlight, merely supporting her and trying to offer her kindness.

The art is fantastic. Carratú demonstrates Psylocke’s adaptability in any situation, changing her outfit to fit the surroundings. She looks incredible in her costume, then cozy in warm and casual weather gear, when she is visiting Greycrow in Alaska. As she sneaks into the auction, she stuns in a dress and masquerade mask. She can look like she belongs anywhere. But she is always severe, either enraged or horrified. The details on her facial expressions are phenomenal.

Then the action erupts and the telepathic ninja shows her stuff. The speed and intensity of the fight are impressive, with afterimages showing the several movements Psylocke has made in a single moment. She is graceful and brutal, getting more violent towards the culmination of the comic. The villains transform into something very different, changing the entire dynamic of the fight.

The colors help to differentiate Psylock from the many other ninjas in Marvel. The comic relies heavily on purple, an iconic color for the character. This can be seen on her costume and those dangerous psychic blades. These can be small weapons or larger bursts of telepathic energy. The purple on Psylocke’s costume is darker, and she also relishes pure black in her outfits. Nothing else has that color on the page, making the character more captivating. The letters are easy to read and feature dozens of SFX accentuating the action.

Psylocke #1 (2024) makes the character the centre of everything. Psylocke is a fantastic character and absolutely warrants being the star of her own comic. She’s visually fascinating and has heaps of depth and dimensions. The writing explores as much of her life as possible whilst keeping the pace streamlined and efficient. Psylocke trying to restrain herself from killing is a noble quest but extremely difficult considering who she comes up against. The art is enthralling and gorgeous, showing sensational ninja skills and locations. She is a remarkable weapon, even if she doesn’t always want to be.

Psylocke #1 (2024) is available where comics are sold.