The Classic ‘Alpha Flight’ Returns In August From Brisson & Godlewski
by Tony Thornley
For the last few years, the Alpha Flight name has been used by Earth’s space defense force, rather than the Canadian superteam with which the name originated. Now with the Fall of X, the classic Canadian team is back, with a bit of a twist.
From returning X-Men writer Ed Brisson, interior artist Scott Godlewski, and cover artist Leonard Kirk, Alpha Flight assembles most of the classic team to step in the midst of the chaos of the Fall of X. The limited series promises to reestablish this classic Marvel team in the middle of this new world.
Alpha Flight has been everything from government lapdogs, to Canada’s Avengers, to an X-Files inspired superhero conspiracy action book. The original series also featured the first canonically queer hero at Marvel, and is well known for pushing boundaries not often seen in its time.
Mutantkind’s actions have put Canada on the offense and in addition to crafting a new line of sentinels, they’ll assign a government-sponsored team with de-escalating the mutant conflict by any means necessary! But a second Alpha Flight team joins the fight, striking from the shadow. More secrets and conspiracies are revealed as classic Alpha Flight members and new faces alike become major players on both sides of the war that will define mutantkind!
SAVING CANADA…FROM THE MUTANT MENACE?! Guardian, Puck, Snowbird, and Shaman return, as a terrestrial ALPHA FLIGHT bursts onto the scene! But what schism will pit these heroes against their former teammates Aurora, Northstar, and Nemesis, as well as Aurora’s beau, Fang (aka Wolverine’s son Akihiro)? The FALL OF X has changed the game. Will Alpha Flight soar to new heights…or be crushed under the weight of an impossible mission?
“Like every Canadian kid who grew up reading comics, one of my biggest dreams was to write for Alpha Flight,” Brisson said. “Growing up, I was a huge fan of the original Byrne run and have followed the team over the years and through every series. The original team of Guardian, Puck, Northstar, Aurora, Shaman, Snowbird, and Sasquatch holds a special place in my heart.
“Unfortunately, Sasquatch is currently indisposed, but the opportunity to bring the rest of the team together, even if they’re split and fighting against one another, is an absolute dream come true. And for those of you wondering if I’ve forgotten anyone, rest assured, I haven’t. There are a few surprises for Alpha Flight fans in the mix, but I won’t spoil anything just yet.”
“As for returning for the Fall of X era, it feels like a perfect bookend for my work on X-Men,” Brisson continued. “Having been there for the launch of the new era, it’s an honor to come back and help close out this chapter of X-Men history.”
Alpha Flight kicks off on August 16th from Marvel Comics. Be sure to watch for news about the series and Fall of X soon!
