{"id":212439,"date":"2026-03-31T01:20:22","date_gmt":"2026-03-31T01:20:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/212439\/"},"modified":"2026-03-31T01:20:22","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T01:20:22","slug":"x-men-monday-334-steve-orlando-talks-x-men-infinity-comic-aipt","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/212439\/","title":{"rendered":"X-Men Monday #334 – Steve Orlando Talks ‘X-Men Infinity Comic’ \u2022 AIPT"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Welcome, X-Fans, to another uncanny edition of X-Men Monday at AIPT<\/a>!<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

This past January, Marvel Unlimited<\/a>\u2018s scrolling X-offering mutated once again, from the X-Men: Age of Revelation Infinity Comic<\/a> to X-Men Infinity Comic<\/a>. While past series were very much tied to modern X-Men continuity, X-Men Infinity Comic seemingly marked a shift in direction \u2014 instead choosing to focus on the iconic \u201990s era. They\u2019re all-new stories, just set in the past, akin to Marvel\u2019s ongoing retro series.<\/p>\n

Obviously, X-Fans had questions. Fortunately, the new series\u2019 writer Steve Orlando<\/a> is no stranger to fielding them and agreed to return to X-Men Monday to do just that. Let\u2019s see what he has to say about X-Men Infinity Comic\u2018s origins, its value to readers, and what comes next.<\/p>\n

\"X-Men<\/p>\n

Courtesy of Marvel Comics<\/p>\n

AIPT: Welcome back to X-Men Monday, Steve! I feel like X-Men Infinity Comic came out of nowhere. Obviously, you\u2019re no stranger to Marvel Unlimited-exclusive series, but I\u2019d love to learn how this particular title came together.<\/p>\n

Steve Orlando: The offer was given! After the extensive vertical work I\u2019d done across X-Men Green, X-Men Unlimited<\/a>, and Astonishing Avengers, I think my name likely came up as someone who really enjoys the format \u2014 and I do! It recalls comic strips and the humble origins of the format, and that\u2019s something I\u2019m happy to celebrate.<\/p>\n

\"X-Men<\/p>\n

Courtesy of Marvel Comics<\/p>\n

AIPT: While X-Men Infinity Comic is clearly meant to be evergreen, X-Fans Feral Forever, Joey Dunn, and Midnighter all want to understand this series\u2019 continuity. Midnighter, for instance, thinks these stories take place within the X-Men: The Animated Series and X-Men \u201897 universe. What can you share?<\/p>\n

Steve: It\u2019s in-continuity, and meant to be evergreen, just as you said! The story takes place in the X-Men\u2019s past, not the X-Men \u201997 universe, though within the era of comics that inspired them \u2014 anything beyond that would work against the push for doing welcoming, evergreen storytelling. The stories are in-continuity, told in a way that anyone can pick them up and recognize the characters.<\/p>\n

\"X-Men<\/p>\n

Courtesy of Marvel Comics<\/p>\n

AIPT: While on the topic of continuity, X-Fan Feral Lives asks if Infinity Comics afford writers like yourself more, less, the same amount, or a different kind of creative freedom. In Feral Lives\u2019 opinion, they sometimes seem to present a looser interpretation of canon than the floppies.<\/p>\n

Steve: In my experience, and folks could have had different experiences, of course \u2014 it\u2019s about the same as if the project wasn\u2019t an Infinity Comic. We\u2019ve got rules, we\u2019ve got to make things fit and work \u2014 however, the KINDS of stories we do in Infinity offer opportunities to tell stories that wouldn\u2019t always hit in the traditional print format. In that way, I\u2019d say we do get to explore a bit more \u2014 but no more or less than if the same story were going to appear in print. WOULD it, though? That\u2019s a different question.<\/p>\n

\"X-Men<\/p>\n

Courtesy of Marvel Comics<\/p>\n

AIPT: This isn\u2019t your first time writing the X-Men \u2014 and given how prolific you are, you never seem to be short on ideas. But with this series, are there any major differences in how you\u2019re approaching coming up with and crafting X-Men stories?<\/p>\n

Steve: So, the treat is actually what we talked about above \u2014 the push to tell evergreen stories, featuring the iconic versions of the characters and their voices. Yes, I\u2019ve worked with X-Men, but in times past we were entrenched in the Krakoan moment, pushing the characters in provocative, bold directions \u2014 and that was a blast! Here, we\u2019re adding to the tapestry again \u2014 but at a moment I\u2019ve never been lucky enough to work with the characters. These are the X-Men at their core, primal characterization \u2014 and in most cases, with this cast, it\u2019s a chance I thought I\u2019d never get.<\/p>\n

\"X-Men<\/p>\n

Courtesy of Marvel Comics<\/p>\n

AIPT: What made you want to kick off this series with a 10-part Omega Red epic?<\/p>\n

Steve: The Omega Red arc was a chance to dig into a character I\u2019ve loved for a long time \u2014 not only is he one of the iconic designs of the \u201890s, but to me, he\u2019s also one of the characters most emblematic of the Post-Soviet era. Having lived in Russia when I was younger, I\u2019ve always had an affection for Marvel\u2019s Russian heroes and villains. This arc was a chance to analyze what fuels Omega Red and to analyze how hate works. His toxicity ruins everything around him \u2014 even his supposed allies.<\/p>\n

\"X-Men<\/p>\n

Courtesy of Marvel Comics<\/p>\n

His disdain is so pure \u2014 and the inversion of Xavier\u2019s core drive symbolizes that. He turns a utopian mind into a dystopian weapon. There\u2019s something tragic to Omega Red \u2014 something I\u2019ve always wanted to explore. And this arc was the chance \u2014 his pain is something he holds onto in unique, tortured ways. With this arc, we get a look at his cruel, wounded worldview \u2014 and how it so diametrically opposes the X-Men\u2019s mission.<\/p>\n

AIPT: Understandably, there will always be a contingent of X-Fans who want to leave the \u201890s and the mansion behind and continue to push forward into new and exciting territory. And then, some X-Fans want the exact opposite. As the writer of X-Men Infinity Comic, what do you see as the value in telling new stories with arguably the most recognizable iteration of the X-Men?<\/p>\n

Steve: Por que no los dos? I think one of the grand advantages of the Infinity format is we do get to do a bit of it all \u2014 and offer a bit of it all. We can welcome in folks who haven\u2019t met the characters in a while \u2014 and then they can discover all the incredible stuff the mutants have been up to in the interim. We can reward folks looking for a bit of comfort food \u2014 and if they don\u2019t have the appetite, we\u2019ve got books on deck pushing the envelope, right behind.<\/p>\n

\"X-Men<\/p>\n

Courtesy of Marvel Comics<\/p>\n

The value to me is ultimately that we can do it all \u2014 but to answer this specific question, it\u2019s also that each time we do, we\u2019re offering a brand new doorway for folks. And once they open it \u2014 all the amazing mutant stories that grew from this iteration aren\u2019t just waiting, they\u2019re getting bigger all the time.<\/p>\n

AIPT: What can you share about the series\u2019 next arc (or even arcs)? On a recent appearance on the AIPT Comics Podcast<\/a>, you alluded to it spanning from ancient Egypt to Mother Askani\u2019s time period. But you\u2019ve also teased a Domino-focused story with artist Phillip Sevy. What can you share?<\/p>\n

Steve: I can say that\u2019s the same story :-).<\/p>\n

\"X-Men<\/p>\n

Courtesy of Marvel Comics and Phillip Sevy\u2019s Bluesky Account<\/p>\n

The next arc is a love letter to multiple eras of the X-Men. We\u2019ll start in Ancient Egypt, where Mother Askani witnesses the birth of a monster even its creator, Apocalypse, can\u2019t control. From his ego comes a machine built to test the mutant species as it climbs up through history \u2014 and the moment Mother Askani sees it, she starts thinking about how to stop it. This is a story about the most powerful mutants in the world coming face to face with an unstoppable force \u2014 an ally and enemy in one, made to test the mettle of the species. We\u2019ll see a unique batch of X-Men, we\u2019ll see Moonstar (who can never appear enough), we\u2019ll see the classic X-Force and X-Factor\u2026 and in the future, a team assembled to finally answer the riddle of the beast.<\/p>\n

\"X-Men<\/p>\n

Courtesy of Marvel Comics and Steve Orlando\u2019s Bluesky Account<\/p>\n

AIPT: X-Fans Crampon and Pepperridge Farm both asked if there\u2019ll be a Cyclops and Jean Grey story coming up (see, this is what happens when you write them in The End: 2099<\/a>!). But beyond Jott, what other characters from X-history might we see appearing in upcoming issues?<\/p>\n

Steve: So! Cyclops and Jean will definitely appear in the next arc as part of the X-Men \u2014 wearing those classic looks! I\u2019ll never be happier than Krakoa established the idea that mutants can wear different uniforms from different eras, just like we wear different outfits.<\/p>\n

\"X-Men<\/p>\n

Courtesy of Marvel Comics<\/p>\n

So you\u2019ll see them, you\u2019ll see Beast. Hell, you\u2019ll briefly see some real deep cuts, of course \u2014 like one of the First X-Men cast members. But we\u2019ll also have a quick Blink appearance \u2014 and all the teams we talked about above.<\/p>\n

AIPT: Artist Alan Robinson did a great job illustrating the first arc. When writing for the Infinity Comic format, does your approach to collaborating with the story\u2019s artist change in any way?<\/p>\n

Steve: As a writer, I always try to give collaborators the space to do what they do best \u2014 bring a script to life as only they can. So, I am always someone who considers a script the opening of a conversation. That never changes. But how we both tell the story does \u2014 since these are essentially vertical comic strips, we have a new set of rules for what we can and can\u2019t do. But within the constraints of not being able to lean on page layout or splashes, we get some really incredible use of perspective and panel staging. For that, as I said, I try to always leave room for a master like Alan to do his work.<\/p>\n

\"X-Men<\/p>\n

Courtesy of Marvel Comics<\/p>\n

AIPT: Finally, we can\u2019t seem to do an X-Men Monday interview without at least one Wanda-focused question slipping through. Hex-Fan Ashton says, \u201cI know this is about X-Men, but I just thought I\u2019d ask a question fans would love to hear more about, please: Sorcerer Supreme\u2018s second arc. What can fans expect in this series\u2019 next arc?<\/p>\n

Steve: It\u2019ll be out soon! And to quote David Lynch, when asked if he cared to elaborate \u2014 \u201cno.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"X-Men<\/p>\n

Courtesy of Marvel Comics<\/p>\n

AIPT: And on that very succinct note \u2014 Steve, thanks for stopping by X-Men Monday!\u00a0<\/p>\n

Remember, X-Fans, new issues of X-Men Infinity Comic drop every Monday, only on Marvel Unlimited. Here\u2019s an eXclusive look at scenes from upcoming issues, courtesy of Phillip Sevy and our friends at Marvel!<\/p>\n

\"X-Men<\/p>\n

Courtesy of Marvel Comics<\/p>\n

\"X-Men<\/p>\n

Courtesy of Marvel Comics<\/p>\n

\"X-Men<\/p>\n

Courtesy of Marvel Comics<\/p>\n

\"X-Men<\/p>\n

Courtesy of Marvel Comics<\/p>\n

\"X-Men<\/p>\n

Courtesy of Marvel Comics<\/p>\n

Next X-Men Monday \u2013 April 6, 2026<\/p>\n

In the next edition of X-Men Monday, writer Ashley Allen<\/a> returns to discuss her current Magik & Colossus<\/a>\u00a0limited series!<\/p>\n

\"X-Men<\/p>\n

Courtesy of Marvel Comics<\/p>\n

Until next time, X-Fans, stay eXceptional!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Welcome, X-Fans, to another uncanny edition of X-Men Monday at AIPT! This past January, Marvel Unlimited\u2018s scrolling X-offering…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":212440,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[139,141,140],"class_list":["post-212439","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-orlando","tag-orlando","tag-orlando-headlines","tag-orlando-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/212439","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=212439"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/212439\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/212440"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=212439"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=212439"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=212439"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}