Marvel Officially Names Brand New X-Men Leader, First Time in the Role

The X-Men have a new team leader, as a powerful hero takes over for the first time. With mutantkind embattled like never before and its heroes only now rebuilding their bonds, it’s never mattered more which characters are chosen to lead.

Heroes including Cyclops, Storm, Jean Grey and Xavier have won huge victories and made destructive mistakes in this role. Now, one of X-Men‘s strongest mutants is taking the reins.

However, is this character actually suited to leadership, or is their new role destined to go down as a debacle, especially with potentially more qualified candidates stuck working under them?

Monet St. Croix Is the Louisiana X-Men’s New Leader

In today’s Uncanny X-Men #29 – from Gail Simone, Luciano Vecchio, Matt Wilson and Clayton Cowles – Rogue asks Monet St. Croix (aka M) and Quicksilver to take over leadership of her X-Men team.

After bringing down the Graymalkin Prison and freeing its mutant inmates, Rogue reconnects with Monet, who fights by her side and helps manage the prisoners during their escape. As Rogue decides to leave the team on a short hiatus, she explicitly asks Monet to replace her, stating that due to Monet’s experience managing massive physical power, she feels a kinship with her.

Monet St. Croix’s Mutant Powers Explained
Monet Penance in X-Men Comics
As Monet/M
Monet’s mutant ability is complex, essentially enhancing her physiology and mind in all possible ways. Monet’s power has been described as ‘perfection,’ and includes: Highly enhanced strength, speed, durability and senses Enhanced mental processes, including genius intellect and flawless memory Telepathy and telekinesis Superfast flight A moderately powerful healing factor The ability to fuse with her siblings, creating an enhanced form with more extreme powers. She is also one of Marvel’s richest heroes.
As Penance
After being transformed by the mutant powers of her brother, Monet can now willingly adopt the Penance form. As Penance, Monet’s skin transmutes into a sharp, near-unbreakable crystalline substance, which also grants her vicious claws. However, this form limits her telepathic abilities and seemingly comes with enhanced aggression and predatory instincts.

Debuting in 1994 as a member of Generation X, Monet has a long history with the X-Men and has led teams before, managing mutant business interests as a member of X-Corps alongside Angel. She’s served on multiple X-Men rosters, been part of X-Factor Investigations, and ruled as the White Queen of the Hellfire Club. However, this is the first time she’s led an official X-Men roster.

rogue asks monet and quicksilver to lead the uncanny x-men 2

Despite Monet’s long history, fans may still question Rogue’s decision. Monet and Quicksilver are both known for their arrogant, callous attitudes. With other leaders like Wolverine and Nightcrawler already on the team, Rogue has made an unusual choice to replace her while she attempts to free Gambit from the curse of a magical artifact.

After 62 Years, Quicksilver Returns to the X-Men Franchise

quicksilver runs in to save monet and the uncanny x-men

While Monet’s leadership is the most exciting news for X-Men fans, it’s also interesting to see Quicksilver given his own mutant team. Quicksilver famously started out in X-Men comics before shifting over to Avengers lore. After more than sixty years, he’s finally home, becoming one of only a handful of characters to boast both Avengers and X-Men leadership.

However, he’s also an even more unlikely leader than Monet – will longtime mutant heroes like Wolverine and Nightcrawler be willing to follow a leader who has arguably eschewed the mutant cause for most of his life? The answers will be unveiled as Monet and Quicksilver take over leadership of the Louisiana X-Men.

Uncanny X-Men #29 is available now from Marvel Comics.

Movie(s): X-Men (2000), X2, X-Men: The Last Stand (2006), X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009), X-Men: First Class (2011), The Wolverine (2013), X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014), Deadpool (2016), X-Men: Apocalypse (2016), Logan (2017), Deadpool 2 (2018), Dark Phoenix (2019), The New Mutants, Deadpool & Wolverine (2024)
TV Show(s): X-Men: Pryde of the X-Men, X-Men (1992), X-Men: Evolution (2000), Wolverine and the X-Men (2008), Marvel Anime: Wolverine, Marvel Anime: X-Men, Legion (2017), The Gifted (2017), X-Men ’97 (2024)
Video Game(s): X-Men: Children of the Atom (1994), Marvel Super Heroes (1995), X-Men vs. Street Fighter (1996), Marvel Super Heroes vs. Street Fighter (1997), Marvel vs. Capcom (1998), X-Men: Mutant Academy (2000), Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes (2000), X-Men: Mutant Academy 2 (2001), X-Men: Next Dimension (2002), Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds (2011), Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 (2011), X-Men Legends (2005), X-Men Legends 2: Rise of Apocalypse (2005), X2: Wolverine’s Revenge (2003), X-Men (1993), X-Men 2: Clone Wars (1995), X-Men: Mutant Apocalypse (1994)
First Film: X-Men (2000)
Character(s): Professor X, Cyclops, Iceman, Beast, Angel, Phoenix, Wolverine, Gambit, Rogue, Storm, Jubilee, Morph, Nightcrawler, Havok, Banshee, Colossus, Magneto, Psylocke, Juggernaut, Cable, X-23
Comic Release Date: 213035,212968