As the X-Men approach a new era, they must prepare for a new villain and even a new tone for its stories. Among two other new upcoming series, The Uncanny X-Men from Gail Simone and David Marquez will serve as a new chapter for the mutant super-team as they attempt to rise “From the Ashes” of Krakoa’s end.

In an interview with Den of Geek, Uncanny X-Men writer Gail Simone teases that her new villain for the relaunch will be an all-time great psychological horror villain. She also makes a point to mention this will be a sexy villain, giving the heroes an antagonist who may prove to be equal parts challenging on a cerebral level and, potentially, on a seductive level.

What’s just as interesting as Simone’s words about a “Southern Gothic” tone that, surely, will symbolize a new era of X-Men.

The New X-Men Era Is in For a Sexy Villain

Not the Hero, But the West Coast Bob DeNiro (Word to Remi Wolf)

In the interview, Gail Simone reveals that much of the new book will focus on Gambit returning to New Orleans to team with the rest of the Uncanny X-Men, namely Wolverine, Jubilee, Nightcrawler, and Rogue. Speaking of, Rogue will be looking for some peace of mind following everything she endured in the “Fall of X” arc, where she was expected to avenge Krakoa. However, that retreat for Rogue is going to be interrupted by a crop of young mutants in need of assistance, as well as a terrifying new baddie. Simone had the following to add:

“Besides the Southern Gothic vibes, [Uncanny X-Men is] probably the scariest X-book…The new villain in there is someone that I would put up against any horror movie, psychological villain out there … and the sexiest.”

The word “sexy” tends to go hand-in-hand with the X-Men franchise, more often than not. After all, this is a franchise that’s been home to the sexiest throuple in Marvel history, as well as a fanbase that’s been accused of being the horniest. There’s even a canonical reason for why the X-Men are so hot. With that said, “sexy” and “terrifying” aren’t as paired together as often in the franchise, so this could provide a unique challenge for the X-squad to face. It’s especially promising to know such a villain can be likened to a horror movie baddie.

The Southern Gothic Vibe Launches the X-Men Into an Entirely New Era

The X-Men Unlike They’ve Ever Been Seen Before

What’s especially promising is the prospect of the X-Men adjusting to a more Gothic tone, most likely as a result of an eerie New Orleans environment. This seems to suggest setting the X-Men in more of a horror vibe than anything else. Horror isn’t a new idea to introduce into the X-Men world, as the franchise has been scary before, but to introduce a horror element in the franchise’s main book moving forward is surprising. Embarking on such a drastically different tone is as telling a sign as any that this truly is a new, fresh era for the X-Men.

Source: Den of Geek