The X-Men are officially going to war with themselves, as Marvel’s new The End 2099 series promises Multiversal brawls pitting different variants of the franchise’s iconic mutants against one another. According to author Steven Orlando, a battle between two versions of mutantkind’s greatest power couple is one of the defining moments of the new story.
AIPT spoke with Orlando about The End 2099, which features art by Ibraim Roberson. The author teased fights between Wolverines, as well as the conflict pitting Jean Grey and Cyclops against…Jean Grey and Cyclops.
Marvel’s 2099 timeline is more popular than ever; The End promises a spectacular finale to its current arc, while opening the door to the next era.
The Architect Of Marvel’s Greatest “2099” Era Promises X-Men On X-Men Battles In The Climactic “End” Series
The End 2099 #1, Written By Steven Orlando; Art By Ibraim Roberson; Available December 10, 2025 From Marvel Comics
Steven Orlando has done some exciting things with Marvel’s 2099 timeline over the past few years, reviving and revitalizing the iconic ’90s corner of the Marvel Universe at the same time that the Spider-Verse films have helped make Spider-Man 2099 a household name. Plus, add to that the prominent role of 2099 lore in the hit game Marvel Rivals.
The End is expected to pay off Orlando’s 2099 work, and according to the author, a big part of that involves conflict between X-Men heroes from across the Multiverse. As the author himself put it:
We’ll witness the X-Men of 2099, some of my favorite mutants ever, fighting both behind the scenes and on the front lines. Cyclops and Phoenix 2099 will face off against the Cyclops and Phoenix of the John Byrne era! The Logan of 2099 will face off with the Wolverine of the Age of Apocalypse!
In other words, 2099’s mutants are going head-to-head with some of the most iconic versions of themselves from the past.
The Age of Apocalypse version of Wolverine is among the most ruthless in the character’s history. The 2099 version, meanwhile, is among the most overtly heroic, having taken on the role of the cosmic protector Nova. Putting the two on a collision course is an exciting hook for The End 2099, but that’s just the beginning.
The War Between X-Men From Across The Multiverse Will Help Shape The Future Of The “2099” Timeline
The End 2099 #3, Variant Cover By Francesco Manna; Available February 2026 From Marvel Comics
According to Steven Orlando, the classic ’80s versions of Cyclops and Jean Grey have a pivotal role to play in The End 2099. “Their showdown with 2099’s Cyclops and Phoenix is one of my favorite moments” from the series, the author explained, setting high expectations for the encounter, which the cover for The End 2099 #3 offers a glimpse at.
Sparks are going to fly, literally, as X-Men variants from across time and space clash in the epic climax of 2099’s current era. Beyond that, the question is what is next for the popular Marvel timeline. It seems likely whoever emerges victorious from these iconic X-Men-on-X-Men battles will have a definitive role in shaping that.
The End 2099 #1 will be available December 10, 2025 from Marvel Comics.
- Movie(s)
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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)
- First Film
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X-Men (2000)
- TV Show(s)
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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)
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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)
- Character(s)
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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
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213035,212968