Psylocke, Vol. 2: Nightmares of the Past

Psylocke (2024)

by Alyssa Wong, Vincenzo Carratú (Illustrator), Moisés Hidalgo (Illustrator)

Exploding out of the pages of X-MEN, fan favorite mutant Psylocke explores the underbelly of the Marvel Universe!

Psylocke is one of the X-Men’s most dangerous and skillful telepaths. So why is her own mind the one thing she can’t seem to control? Kwannon has begun to accept her past, but maybe some things are better left buried! Because now Psylocke is being haunted! By a ghost? A demon? A memory? Perhaps Magik can help Kwannon get to the bottom of this metaphysical mutant mystery! But how will Rogue take it when a contingent from the rival X-Men team arrives in Louisiana to speak with Deathdream?

 Psylocke (2024) 6-10

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, X Men, Marvel, Graphic Novels Comics

112 pages, Paperback

Published December 16, 2025

About the author

Alyssa Wong studies fiction in Raleigh, NC, and really, really likes crows. She was a finalist for the 2016 John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer, and her story, “Hungry Daughters of Starving Mothers,” won the 2015 Nebula Award for Best Short Story and the 2016 World Fantasy Award for Short Fiction. Her fiction has been shortlisted for the Pushcart Prize, the Bram Stoker Award, the Locus Award, and the Shirley Jackson Award. Her work has been published in The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, Strange Horizons, Nightmare Magazine, Black Static, and Tor.com, among others.

Reviews

[Chad · Rating 3 out of 5]

We finally see some of Kwannon's backstory. I was surprised at the amount of Japanese folklore involved.

[Paul · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.3 stars

[Khurram · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I said it reviewing volume 1 that the best thing to come out of X of Swords was Betsy and Kwannon being separated. I like the deadlier, more serious and darker character. I admit my bias that Psylocke and Gambit are my favourite X-MEN. I think a guest appearances from Gambit would have made this 6 stars for me.

Kwannon has been seeing thing from her past long gone and forgotten. Unfortunately it is now starting to affect her in the field. A quick trip/stop trying to find help tells her that she needs to go back to where it all began. However is she finally ready to face her past as well as new and old enemies?

This book has it all good story, lots of action, good artwork and great character development. I can't wait to see what is next for Psylocke/Kwannon. The book finishes with a variant cover gallery, also with thumbnail covers.

[Chris Lemmerman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kwannon's solo adventures take her to Louisiana to visit Deathdream, and across the world to Japan to face down a friend turned foe from her past.

Alyssa Wong's plot moves briskly, tapping into Kwannon's past while firmly keeping her marching towards the future. While 'bad guy from the past comes back to haunt you' isn't a particularly revolutionary plotline, it's handled well enough with some twists and turns to keep us all guessing, so this isn't just a Wolverine book with a female lead instead.

Psylocke's supporting cast of Devon and John Greycrow are still present, if on the periphery a bit, while the first two issues bring in Magik and the Uncanny X-Men to ground the title as part of the larger X-Men line.

I think if we had a few more issues we could have explored the lack of agency Kwannon had in the last arc - it's mentioned, but we just don't have the space to dig into it the way I think we all wanted. Alas, Marvel's 10-issues-and-done continues to prove painful for all involved.

[Dakota Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was worried with the first volume that this Psylocke series would just be a retread of her many struggles with her (admittedly complicated) past. As the title suggests, this volume does continue down memory lane, but in an intriguing direction that felt fresh to me, at least.

Psylocke is drawn to Japan and into a battle with the Hand by a fellow former student at whatever assassin school raised her. The former student maybe has good intentions, but is definitely now a villain who can control all those goofy Japanese spirit creatures. Psylocke's two allies follow her to Japan to help her out, having engaging adventures of their own.

All told, a straightforward volume, but well crafted and with surprisingly strong art. Too bad this series concluded - Psylocke has so much more past to explore!

[Adam Fisher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nightmares, ghosts, yokai, and Kwannon's past dominate this Volume of Psylocke. Dealing with psychic feedback during battle, Psylocke seeks the aid of Deathdream, one of the new X-Men with Rogue's group. The spirit is so strong that it takes him over and she has to take it back to avoid it killing him. Off to Japan she goes, knowing that all this is related to her time as a child, being trained by the Hand, and the loss of her friend Mitsuki. Turns out Mitsuki is alive and is connected to some very strong Yokai. Kwannon must make a deal with the Lady in White to be able to stop Mitsuki's rampage. This will definitely come back on her in the future.
Overall, a very fast paced story that gives Psylocke some depth her character hasn't had for a while. Really enjoyed it.
Recommend.

[Jonathan Wormsbecher · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5

[goblin_ghoulz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was one of best and most riveting from Marvel in recent years. Wong’s writing of Kwannon, her struggles and past and current unforeseen circumstances had me locked in and eager for each issue. Honestly haven’t felt that in a while with Marvel comics so kudos to her. The art by Carratu also one of favourites, eerie and beautiful. Definitely up there for run of the year for me.

[Joey Nardinelli · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve been into some of the more Japanese folklore and cultural elements popping into this series, especially the introduction of a character who can interface with yokai who isn’t also somehow a mutant. Kwannon feels along for the ride on this one, due to most of the significant character storytelling taking place view flashbacks and a few spartan interactions with Magik and Greycrow. The loose thread at the end left this whole thing feeling awkwardly open despite most of the story feeling wrapped up. Also loved an appearance from Deathdream and Rogue but…that whole thread was just left by the wayside as soon as Kwannon was otherwise narratively derailed. Magik also gets left in the dust with no explanation. Curious if any of this comes up in some of the mainline X-Men comics at any point, but I’d guess it won’t?

[Finley · Rating 3 out of 5]

The art is incredible. The full page spreads are incredibly attractive to the eye. Even just flipping through pages and staring at the artwork feels amazing.

The story itself is engaging, but short. I wasn’t much a fan of Psylocke herself as I was of Yokai, who probably deserves her own story to be told. I found myself rooting for other characters because Psylocke wasn’t fleshed out to my preference. There is a lot of backstory through flashback, but we don’t get to see much emotion from present-day Psylocke besides constantly being in perilous or tragic situations. The fight scenes are amazing, and the art solidifies motion and swirling effects especially well.

[Scarred Wizard · Rating 4 out of 5]

wow! this is actually very good. i wasn't expected i would like it so much. the drawing & the coloring is gorgeously done! with Magik & Rogue joining in the first arc of the story is bad-ass! the second arc of the book is Psylocke vs. the Yokai which is pretty generic to me but i still get to enjoy seeing Kwannon in some really cool fight & action. with a beautiful art? yes i love it! it's a horror themed Psylocke adventure!

thanks R.H for buying me this awesome comic!

Rating: 8/10

[Jourdy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I somehow missed this as I was getting the books for the series I had kept up with in single issues. I really liked this run despite not knowing a ton about Psylocke going into it. It definitely gave me more perspective on her and I hope to get more in depth about the body swapping thing!

[Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was pleasantly surprised by how good this was, not really expecting anything much going in. Kwannon must face an "old friend" from the past and come to grips with her upbringing by the Hand. Very well-told and interesting story. The art didn't hurt.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

the fact that this got cancelled in favor of mr rape fetish's series is a fucking crime

[Sarah Fulton · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first Volume was ok but this one was phenomenal! The plot twists were iconik and I loved the psychological aspect of it!

[Vanessa · Rating 3 out of 5]

The stories were a little confusing, but the illustrations were a much needed break from the ai slop that's being pushed in our faces.

[ambeas · Rating 5 out of 5]

absolutamente perfecto

[Ross · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally...
Kwannon history/lore