AAD EDDIEFeaturing the Artwork of Simone Bianchi & Salvador Larroca Series Eclitor: Axel Alonso Assistant Editor Will Panzo Sketchbook Editor: Jody LeHeup Senior Editor, Special Projects: Jeff Youngquist Senior Vice President of Sales: David Gabriel Book Design Spring Hoteling Cover Design: Rich Ginter Eclitor in Chief: Joe Quesada Publisher: Dan BuckleyINTRODUCTION The “X” symbol over the heart -- it’s the first thing you noticed, right? Well, there’s a reason for it. It marks a spot. A part of the body that knows some things can’t be explained by facts or data or science. That some things just come down to faith. And faith is what's fueling the X-Men. Since the fateful moment known as “M-Day,” the mutant race has stood at a precipice, staring at an uncertain future. But are those storm clouds in the distance, or rays of sunlight? Does the mutant race face imminent extinction, or glorious rebirth? Only one thing’s for sure: Next month, the X-Men will stare at their future over a new horizon — the Pacific Ocean. That’s right. For the first time in their storied history, Marvel's mutant family is severing its roots to Westchester and planting seeds 3,000 miles away in the Marin Headlands, only a stone's throw from San Francisco. This change of scenery signals not just @ change in strategy [in a hostile world, why be a sitting duck?) but also in philosophy. Marching forward with the faith -- but not the knowledge -- that there is a future, the X-Men are now, more than ever, an army, linked by the common understanding that all they have is each other. They are a unit that is more than the sum of its parts, guided by the unquestioned leadership of Scott Summers. And Cyclops has a vision. What follows is a glimpse of it: newly redesigned costumes, rendered by the upcoming Astonishing X- Men artist Simone Bianchi, and the blueprints for the X-Men’s new headquarters, rendered by former Uncanny X-Men artist Salvador Larroca. This July, the East Coast is a Mutant Free Zone; the Avengers can have it. The West Coast belongs to the X-Men. is a fou? - Axel Alonso X-Men Group Editor8g Chi GyTo me, Emma is all about her face — her expression — so that’s where | focused my attention the most. This is really just a nip and tuck revision of her previous costume.| had a blast working on Hank’s costume rede- sign. | liked the idea that the big “X” would wrap. around his big, furry body, somewhat like it did in the Cassaday version, so I'started from there and noodled around.A minor adjustment for Warren's costume. | just repeated the little tubing that runs. from his back all the way around his body, ending at his thighs.This was a major redesign. | wanted Piotr's outfit to have a high-tech look that was as modern and intricate as possible — and | wanted to cover/his legs and feet.5 & IM IGTHL| approached Alison's costume redesign in the same spirit that | did that of Colossus. | arrived at a modern, high-tech look with Moebiusesque touches.COVER SKETCHES FOR ASTONISHING X-MEN #26-30A cmon BLUEPRINTS FOR THE oe pee’ MEN'S NEW HEADQUARTERS \ ee oa DEFENSE SYSTEMS RESTROOM , f LIVING QUARTERS SCOTT, EMMA, ane ae OFFICES \ oe COMPUTER NET. 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