Psylocke #1
Illustrated by: Vincenzo Carratù
Written by: Alyssa Wong
Cover art: Mahmud Asrar
Release date: November 13th, 2024
Marvel Comics
*Minor Spoilers Ahead
SHE WAS MADE FOR VIOLENCE! Trained to be an assassin since birth, Kwannon chose to be an X-Man. But there are still some jobs too dirty for the X-Men. And some paths have to be walked alone. When the mission is brutal, Psylocke unsheathes her blades to punish those who prey on mutants. Exploding out of the pages of X-MEN, Alyssa Wong and Vincenzo Carratù take Psylocke into the underbelly of the Marvel Universe, carving out her own place in a world that would rather see her under control!
When I decided to read Psylocke #1, I was hoping for something fresh to showcase Kwannon’s potential outside the larger X-Men narrative. What I got was a decent start, but it’s hard to ignore how much this story leans on overly familiar tropes.
The premise is straightforward: Kwannon, trained since childhood to be a lethal assassin, has tried to carve out a new path as an X-Man. But some missions take her back into the shadows, where moral lines blur, and dirty work gets done. The issue balances action, romance, and dramatic moments while teasing darker developments ahead. However, Kwannon’s internal struggle of moving beyond her past as a weapon feels like a storyline I’ve read one too many times.
My biggest gripe is how Alyssa Wong handles Kwannon’s personality. It lacks the distinctiveness that writers like Fabian Nicieza and Zeb Wells have given to her. Instead, she feels far too much like Betsy Braddock, which is frustrating because this is supposed to be her story. That disconnect might not bother everyone, but for me, it was a small hurdle.
The art by Vincenzo Carratù stands out, though. The action scenes are sharp and dynamic, and the darker tones fit Kwannon’s world. Even with a somewhat generic “mutant growth hormone” plot setup, the visuals kept me engaged. There’s also potential in the hints about a new villain—possibly someone tied to Kwannon’s past with The Hand.
Despite my critiques, the issue was fun enough to make me curious about what comes next. While it doesn’t reinvent the wheel, I’m willing to stick around to see where this story goes. Fingers crossed the series finds a stronger voice for Kwannon as it unfolds.
Psylocke #1 is available on our new comic book wall and can be placed on your weekly pull list.
A Blade’s Edge in Familiar Shadows
Colors - 9
Design - 9.4
Illustration - 9.4
Narrative - 9
Subplot - 8
9
Alyssa Wong and Vincenzo Carratù bring Kwannon to the forefront in Psylocke #1, diving into her gritty solo missions. While the action, romance, and drama hit solid notes, Kwannon's voice feels off, and the story treads too-familiar ground.
